Colorado criminal charge
Tampering with physical evidence in Colorado
Tampering with physical evidence is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-8-610. 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. § 18-8-610.
What is the penalty for tampering with physical evidence in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 12 months to 18 months (Tampering with physical evidence of a felony crime — Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a felony crime.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (Tampering with physical evidence of a felony crime — Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a felony crime.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 1 years to 1 years (Tampering with physical evidence of a felony crime — Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a felony crime.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Tampering with physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime — Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Tampering with physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime — Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is tampering with physical evidence classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampering with physical evidence of a felony crime | class 6 felony | Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a felony crime. | 18-8-610(3)(a) |
| Tampering with physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime | class 1 misdemeanor | Applies when the tampering concerns physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime. | 18-8-610(3)(b) |
Common questions about tampering with physical evidence in Colorado
Is tampering with physical evidence a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: tampering with physical evidence ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-8-610.
Tampering with physical evidence of a felony crime: class 6 felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-610(3)(a)) · Tampering with physical evidence of a misdemeanor crime: class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-8-610(3)(b))
What are the penalties for tampering with physical evidence in Colorado?
Penalties for tampering with physical evidence in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 6 felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers tampering with physical evidence?
Tampering with physical evidence is governed by C.R.S. § 18-8-610 (Tampering with physical evidence).
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.