Colorado State Felony Defense

Denver Felony Lawyerdefending serious Colorado state charges.

A Denver felony lawyer at Stuart & Ward LLP brings decades of trial experience to every Colorado state felony case we take. Our partners began their careers as Colorado State Public Defenders and have tried felonies of every class, in every kind of courtroom Colorado runs. A felony charge in Colorado is not a routine criminal matter. The case will travel through grand jury or preliminary hearing, motions practice, and potentially a jury trial. The penalties on conviction can include state prison, mandatory parole, lifetime sex offender registration where applicable, and immigration consequences for non-citizens. We defend the full range of Colorado state felonies, with particular depth in violent crimes, homicide, and COCCA prosecutions. For sex crimes, drug crimes, white-collar matters, theft, fraud, and DUI, see our dedicated practice pages.

The Framework

What a Denver Felony Lawyer Looks At Firstthe class structure and what's at stake.

Colorado law divides felonies into six classes, plus a separate four-tier classification for drug felonies. The class drives the presumptive sentencing range, parole exposure, and whether mandatory sentencing applies.

Class 1 & 2 Felonies

The most serious charges Colorado prosecutes. Class 1 felonies include first-degree murder and carry life without parole. Class 2 felonies (second-degree murder, class 2 kidnapping, certain sex offenses) carry presumptive ranges up to 24 years with aggravated ranges extending further. Crime-of-violence designations trigger mandatory sentencing.

Class 3 & 4 Felonies

The middle of the felony grid. Class 3 felonies (first-degree assault, robbery, certain drug and sex offenses) carry presumptive ranges up to 12 years. Class 4 felonies (second-degree assault, vehicular assault, many theft and fraud charges at the higher dollar tiers) carry up to 6 years. Both routinely involve prison exposure and parole.

Class 5 & 6 Felonies

The lower end of the felony classification. Class 5 felonies carry presumptive ranges up to 3 years; class 6 up to 18 months. Many of these are eligible for probation, deferred judgments, or community-based sentences in the right circumstances. The collateral consequences of any felony conviction, however, remain significant.

The Process

How a Colorado Felony Case Moves

Felony cases have a structured path from arrest through resolution. Understanding where in that path your case sits, and what windows are still open, is the first thing an experienced Denver felony lawyer should do.

Investigation & Charging

Many felony cases begin with an investigation rather than an arrest. Detectives interview witnesses, build a timeline, and present the case to the District Attorney or to a grand jury. Pre-charge intervention by defense counsel can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all, or shape what is ultimately filed.

Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury

Colorado uses preliminary hearings (for most class 1, 2, and 3 felonies and crimes of violence) or grand jury indictment to determine whether probable cause supports the filed charges. A preliminary hearing is a real evidentiary opportunity for the defense to test the State's case and sometimes win dismissal or reduction.

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