Colorado criminal charge
Aiding escape in Colorado
Aiding escape is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-8-201. 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. § 18-8-201.
What is the penalty for aiding escape in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 8 years to 24 years (Aiding escape — person aided held for class 1 or class 2 felony — The person aided was in custody or confinement as a result of conviction of a class 1 or class 2 felony.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 5000 usd to 1000000 usd (Aiding escape — person aided held for class 1 or class 2 felony — The person aided was in custody or confinement as a result of conviction of a class 1 or class 2 felony.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Aiding escape — person aided held for class 1 or class 2 felony — The person aided was in custody or confinement as a result of conviction of a class 1 or class 2 felony.; mandatory parole (5 years if crime of violence)) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | 4 years to 12 years (Aiding escape — person aided held for other felony — The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of any felony other than a class 1 or class 2 felony.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 3000 usd to 750000 usd (Aiding escape — person aided held for other felony — The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of any felony other than a class 1 or class 2 felony.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (Aiding escape — person aided held for other felony — The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of any felony other than a class 1 or class 2 felony.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Aiding escape — person aided held for misdemeanor or petty offense — The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of a misdemeanor or a petty offense.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Aiding escape — person aided held for misdemeanor or petty offense — The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of a misdemeanor or a petty offense.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is aiding escape classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiding escape — person aided held for class 1 or class 2 felony | class 2 felony | The person aided was in custody or confinement as a result of conviction of a class 1 or class 2 felony. | 18-8-201(4) |
| Aiding escape — person aided held for other felony | class 3 felony | The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of any felony other than a class 1 or class 2 felony. | 18-8-201(5) |
| Aiding escape — person aided held for misdemeanor or petty offense | class 2 misdemeanor | The person aided was in custody or confinement and charged with, held for, or convicted of a misdemeanor or a petty offense. | 18-8-201(6) |
Common questions about aiding escape in Colorado
Is aiding escape a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: aiding escape ranges from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 2 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-8-201.
Aiding escape — person aided held for class 1 or class 2 felony: class 2 felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-201(4)) · Aiding escape — person aided held for other felony: class 3 felony (C.R.S. § 18-8-201(5)) · Aiding escape — person aided held for misdemeanor or petty offense: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-8-201(6))
What are the penalties for aiding escape in Colorado?
Penalties for aiding escape in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 2 misdemeanor up to a class 2 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 aiding escape?
Aiding escape is governed by C.R.S. § 18-8-201 (Aiding escape).
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.