Colorado criminal charge
Retaliation against a judge or an elected official in Colorado
Retaliation against a judge or an elected official is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-8-615. 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. § 18-8-615.
What is the penalty for retaliation against a judge or an elected official in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (Retaliation against a judge — Applies when an individual commits retaliation against a judge as defined in subsection (1).) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $2,000 to $500,000 (Retaliation against a judge — Applies when an individual commits retaliation against a judge as defined in subsection (1).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Retaliation against a judge — Applies when an individual commits retaliation against a judge as defined in subsection (1).; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 12 months to 18 months (Retaliation against an elected official — Applies when an individual commits retaliation against an elected official as defined in subsection (1.5).) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $1,000 to $100,000 (Retaliation against an elected official — Applies when an individual commits retaliation against an elected official as defined in subsection (1.5).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 1 years to 1 years (Retaliation against an elected official — Applies when an individual commits retaliation against an elected official as defined in subsection (1.5).; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is retaliation against a judge or an elected official classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retaliation against a judge | Class 4 Felony | Applies when an individual commits retaliation against a judge as defined in subsection (1). | 18-8-615(2)(a) |
| Retaliation against an elected official | Class 6 Felony | Applies when an individual commits retaliation against an elected official as defined in subsection (1.5). | 18-8-615(2)(b) |
Common questions about retaliation against a judge or an elected official in Colorado
Is retaliation against a judge or an elected official a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: retaliation against a judge or an elected official ranges from a Class 6 Felony to a Class 4 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-8-615.
Retaliation against a judge: Class 4 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-615(2)(a)) · Retaliation against an elected official: Class 6 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-615(2)(b))
What are the penalties for retaliation against a judge or an elected official in Colorado?
Penalties for retaliation against a judge or an elected official in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 6 Felony up to a Class 4 Felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers retaliation against a judge or an elected official?
Retaliation against a judge or an elected official is governed by C.R.S. § 18-8-615 (Retaliation against a judge or an elected official - definitions).
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.