If you’ve been charged with a crime in Fort Collins or elsewhere in Larimer County, restitution is likely to come up at some point in your case. It’s one of the most common financial consequences in Colorado criminal cases, and understanding how it works can help you know what to expect. Fort Collins Criminal Defense Attorney: What Is Restitution? Restitution Continue Reading
Category: Sentencing
Presentence Investigation Reports in Larimer County Criminal Cases
If you’ve been convicted of a crime, or entered a guilty plea, in Larimer County, your case likely isn’t over once the plea is entered. For many felony cases, and some misdemeanors, the court will order a presentence investigation report, often called a PSI, before it decides on a sentence. Understanding what this report is and how it’s used can Continue Reading
Jail vs. Prison in Larimer County, Colorado: What’s the Difference? A Fort Collins Criminal Defense Attorney Explains
When someone is facing criminal charges in Larimer County, one of the first and most stressful questions is often: “Am I going to jail or prison?” Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, jail and prison are very different under Colorado law, and the distinction can have a major impact on a criminal case. Understanding how incarceration works in Fort Continue Reading
Fort Collins Criminal Defense Lawyer What Are Extraordinary Aggravating Circumstances?
In Fort Collins, Larimer County, and across Colorado, lawmakers have determined certain ranges for sentences on petty offense, traffic, misdemeanor and felony crimes. Normally, a judge is not allowed to sentence someone outside of those ranges. However, there are certain things that can mitigate or aggravate a sentence, which can allow for sentencing outside the presumptive ranges. Let’s look at Continue Reading
Am I Going to the Colorado Department of Corrections or the Larimer County Jail for My Criminal Charges?
In Fort Collins and Larimer County, if a person is facing incarceration, there are two potential options: the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) or the Larimer County Jail. There are many different elements and intricacies when it comes to sentencing a person for a crime, but the general rules are that a misdemeanor crime is punishable by a sentence to Continue Reading
Fort Collins Drug Defense Attorney What’s the Difference Between a Felony Charge and a Drug Felony Charge in Colorado?
In Fort Collins and Larimer County, Colorado, there are two different types of felony charges – a standard felony and a drug felony. Most criminal charges are either charged as a misdemeanor or felony. However, for criminal cases involving drugs, then there is a separate charging hierarchy called drug misdemeanor or drug felony. Let’s look at these two different types Continue Reading
Fort Collins Criminal Defense Attorney Deferred Judgment – A Temporary Conviction in Colorado
When a person is charged with a crime in Fort Collins and Larimer County, they must go through the court procedure to come to a resolution with their case. The best resolution for any misdemeanor or felony criminal case is a dismissal. This occurs when the DA determines that there is no reasonable likelihood of success if the case went Continue Reading
Larimer County Probation Sentence Vs. a Jail or Prison Sentence Is Probation Always the Best Option in Fort Collins Criminal Case?
If someone dealing with a Fort Collins or Larimer County criminal case, and you asked them if they would prefer probation or a sentence to the Larimer County Jail or prison, most people would answer with probation. This is usually because a probation sentence means you are not incarcerated and still able to do your daily life. However, it is Continue Reading
Concurrent Sentence vs. Consecutive Sentence to the Larimer County Jail
Judges give out sentences for more than one crime in Larimer County as either Concurrent Sentences or Consecutive Sentences. A common situation in Fort Collins Courts is where someone is convicted of more than one charge, after a jury trial. Following a presentence report, the judge learns more about the case and then gives its sentence. If there is more Continue Reading
Will I Face Prison Time with My Felony Criminal Conviction Sentence in Fort Collins?
When a person is convicted of or pleads guilty to a crime, a judge must decide an appropriate punishment. Judges can sentence a person to probation, community corrections, jail or prison time depending on the circumstances. Sometimes with certain crimes and situations, the law requires a period of incarceration. Let’s take a closer look at the prison incarceration sentencing ranges. Continue Reading