If you are facing a criminal charge in Colorado, you probably have a lot of questions. Many of these can be answered by your legal counsel, while others you can get answers to if you know what suspects of various crimes may face in a court of law.

Felonies are the most serious type of crime, and they are divided into classes to denote the severity of the crime. Higher classes of felonies may open convicted criminals to higher punishments. The sentencing guidelines for judges can range from a year in prison to life behind bars to capital punishment for the most serious crimes.

Lesser felonies are more common in Colorado as well as elsewhere in the United States. This is partially because less serious crimes are more common. Moreover, the process of plea bargaining can reduce the class of felonies with which a suspect finds themselves charged.

Crimes are often in a higher class due to specific circumstances. These may relate to the victim of the crime. For example, assaults against public employees while they are on duty often brings the potential for harsher penalties. The relationship between the perpetrator and the victim may also matter. Child abuse by a person in a legally recognized position of trust, for instance, is a more serious crime under Colorado law.

Anyone facing criminal charges may make use of legal representation. A Colorado criminal defense attorney can help you weigh the consequences of plea bargains, criminal trials and other parts of the judicial process. No one should have to face their day in court without support.