Colorado criminal charge
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Colorado
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-6-701. 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. § 18-6-701.
What is the penalty for contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 2 years to 6 years (First degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor — Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate a state law that is a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1).) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | $2,000 to $500,000 (First degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor — Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate a state law that is a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 3 years to 3 years (First degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor — Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate a state law that is a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1).; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (Second degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor — Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any municipal or county ordinance, court order, or state or federal law that is not a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Second degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor — Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any municipal or county ordinance, court order, or state or federal law that is not a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1).) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2018-07-01.
How is contributing to the delinquency of a minor classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| First degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor | Class 4 Felony | Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate a state law that is a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1). | 18-6-701(2)(a) |
| Second degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Applies when a person induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any municipal or county ordinance, court order, or state or federal law that is not a felony victims rights act crime as defined in section 24-4.1-302(1). | 18-6-701(2)(b) |
Common questions about contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Colorado
Is contributing to the delinquency of a minor a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: contributing to the delinquency of a minor ranges from a Class 1 Misdemeanor to a Class 4 Felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-6-701.
First degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor: Class 4 Felony (C.R.S. § 18-6-701(2)(a)) · Second degree contributing to the delinquency of a minor: Class 1 Misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-6-701(2)(b))
What are the penalties for contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Colorado?
Penalties for contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a Class 1 Misdemeanor up to a Class 4 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 contributing to the delinquency of a minor?
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is governed by C.R.S. § 18-6-701 (Contributing to the delinquency of a minor).
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.