Source: https://www.criminal-lawyer-colorado.com/your-legal-rights/criminal-law-for-beginners/colorado-criminal-law-guide-enhanced-sentencing-when-can-a-sentence-exceed-the-maximum-sentence.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 08:46:23+00:00

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Colorado Criminal Law Guide – Enhanced Sentencing – When Can A Sentence Exceed The Maximum Sentence? – Usually a person charged with a crime in Colorado can rely on what are known as the presumptive range of sentencing. This article will address the exceptions that can lead to – that is exceed much harsher sentences called enhanced or aggravated sentences.
Under Colorado law, most criminal charges have a presumptive statutory maximum sentence that a court cannot normally exceed. The law divides felony and misdemeanor crimes into classes. Each class is assigned a presumptive range.
A Judge has the discretion to sentence below the presumptive range (with extraordinary mitigating circumstances) and above the presumptive range (with extraordinary aggravating circumstances).
The Colorado criminal code specifically designates certain crimes as “extraordinary risk” crimes. If a crimes is codified as an “extraordinary risk crime” there is an automatic increase in the presumptive sentencing range.
Another sentence enhancement over the presumptive sentencing scheme turns on the presence of certain facts about the defendant at the time of the crime. The following factors trigger enhancement of the sentence – doubling the presumptive maximum but leaving the presumptive minimum in place.
The law – CRS § 18-1.3-401(9) – lists the circumstances that trigger an increase, for example if a Colorado Defendant was under a felony deferred judgment at the time of the alleged commission of a new crime.
Prior to the year 2000, Colorado sentencing was straightforward – following the categories outlined above. But in 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Apprendi v. New Jersey.
any fact that increases the penalty for a crime beyond the prescribed statutory maximum, other than the fact of a prior conviction, must be submitted to a jury and proved beyond a reasonable doubt.
Then, in 2004, the Supreme Court decided Blakely v. Washington which restricted judges from sentencing Defendants beyond the maximum of the presumptive sentencing range based on any fact, other than the fact of prior conviction, unless the jury found that fact to be true beyond a reasonable doubt.
2. Facts that are elements (“Blakely-compliant facts” – “aggravating” facts that must be decided by the jury and proven beyond a reasonable doubt).
The analysis of whether a fact that acts as a sentence enhancer or aggravator is a Blakely exempt or Blakely compliant fact turns on whether that fact is treated as a sentencing factor (which may be decided by the judge) or as an element of the crime (which must be decided by the jury).
The “dv tag” attaches when a jury finds that the crime with which they are charged is “an act of domestic violence.” A jury finding of an act of domestic violence requires an enhancement of the otherwise standard sentence for the underlying crime.
This “counseling requirement” increases the punishment to the minimum sentence.
(2) committing some other crime under the coercion, control, etc. theory against someone with whom an intimate relationship has occurred.
If you find the defendant not guilty of [insert name of misdemeanor offense(s)], you should disregard this instruction and sign the verdict form to indicate your not guilty verdict.
1. the underlying factual basis of [insert name of misdemeanor offense(s)] included [an] act[s] of domestic violence.
The prosecution has the burden to prove the numbered condition beyond a reasonable doubt.
After considering all the evidence, if you decide the prosecution has met this burden, you should mark “Yes” in the appropriate place, and have the foreperson sign the designated line of the verdict form.
After considering all the evidence, if you decide the prosecution has failed to meet this burden, you should mark “No” in the appropriate place, and have the foreperson sign the designated line of the verdict form.
A charge of Third-Degree assault and the victim is either a Peace Officer or a Mental Health Professional engaged in the performance of his duties, (sentence is increased to a sentence greater than the maximum for a class 1 misdemeanor, but not greater than twice the maximum). CRS §18-1.3-501.
A Third-degree Assault Against a Pregnant Woman mandates jail of a minimum of at least six months CRS § 18-1.3-501(6).
Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender – the Blakely element is the requirement that a jury decide that the prior conviction must still be proven to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt. CRS § 18-3-415.5(5).
Summary And Conclusion – Colorado Criminal Law Guide – Enhanced Sentencing – When Can A Sentence Exceed The Maximum Sentence?
Colorado criminal defense lawyers must remain vigilant to properly identifying and protecting their clients’ constitutional rights by properly identifying Blakely facts that must be proven to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt BEFORE that client’s sentence can be enhanced.
You should be careful to make a responsible choice in selecting a Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer. We encourage you to “vet” our firm. Over the last 30 plus years – by focusing ONLY on Colorado criminal law – H. Michael has had the necessary time to commit to the task of constantly updating himself on nearly every area of criminal law, to include Colorado criminal law and procedure and trial and courtroom practice. H. Michael works hard to get his clients the best possible results in and out of the courtroom. He has written, and continues to write, extensively on Colorado criminal law and he hopes this article helps you in some small way – Colorado Criminal Law Guide – Enhanced Sentencing – When Can A Sentence Exceed The Maximum Sentence?
Colorado Criminal Law Guide - Enhanced Sentencing - When Can A Sentence Exceed The Maximum Sentence?
- Usually a person charged with a crime in Colorado can rely on what are known as the presumptive range of sentencing. This article will address the exceptions that can lead to - that is exceed much harsher sentences called enhanced or aggravated sentences.

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