Colorado criminal charge
Criminal possession of a financial device in Colorado
Criminal possession of a financial device is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-5-903. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-5-903.
What is the penalty for criminal possession of a financial device in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (Criminal possession of financial device(s) — base offense — Applies to possession of one or more financial devices, except as provided in subsection (2)(c).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to $750 (Criminal possession of financial device(s) — base offense — Applies to possession of one or more financial devices, except as provided in subsection (2)(c).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (Criminal possession of three or more financial devices from different account holders — Applies when the person possesses three or more financial devices, at least two of which are issued to different account holders.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $1,000 to $100,000 (Criminal possession of three or more financial devices from different account holders — Applies when the person possesses three or more financial devices, at least two of which are issued to different account holders.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (Criminal possession of three or more financial devices from different account holders — Applies when the person possesses three or more financial devices, at least two of which are issued to different account holders.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is criminal possession of a financial device classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal possession of financial device(s) — base offense | Class 2 Misdemeanor | Applies to possession of one or more financial devices, except as provided in subsection (2)(c). | 18-5-903(2)(a) |
| Criminal possession of three or more financial devices from different account holders | Class 5 Felony | Applies when the person possesses three or more financial devices, at least two of which are issued to different account holders. | 18-5-903(2)(c) |
Common questions about criminal possession of a financial device in Colorado
Is criminal possession of a financial device a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: criminal possession of a financial device ranges from a Class 2 Misdemeanor to a Class 5 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-5-903.
Criminal possession of financial device(s) — base offense: Class 2 Misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-5-903(2)(a)) · Criminal possession of three or more financial devices from different account holders: Class 5 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-5-903(2)(c))
What are the penalties for criminal possession of a financial device in Colorado?
Penalties for criminal possession of a financial device in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 2 Misdemeanor up to a Class 5 Felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers criminal possession of a financial device?
Criminal possession of a financial device is governed by C.R.S. § 18-5-903 (Criminal possession of a financial device).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.