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Colorado criminal charge

Defacing or destruction of written instruments in Colorado

class 2 misdemeanorCurrent through 2026 Colorado legislative session

Defacing or destruction of written instruments is a class 2 misdemeanor under Colorado criminal law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-507. As a class 2 misdemeanor, it is punishable within the statutory sentencing range Colorado sets for that offense class. Colorado sorts criminal offenses into felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses, each carrying its own penalty range.

Defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-507.

What is the penalty for defacing or destruction of written instruments in Colorado?

Penalties for Defacing or destruction of written instruments
PenaltyRangeBasisAuthority
Jail / prisonup to 120 days (no statutory minimum)discretionaryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-501
Fineup to 750 usd (no statutory minimum)discretionaryC.R.S. § 18-1.3-501

Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).

Common questions about defacing or destruction of written instruments in Colorado

Is defacing or destruction of written instruments a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?

Defacing or destruction of written instruments is a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-4-507.

What are the penalties for defacing or destruction of written instruments in Colorado?

As a class 2 misdemeanor, defacing or destruction of written instruments carries up to 120 days (no mandatory minimum) of incarceration and a fine of up to $750 (no mandatory minimum) under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 (offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271)).

Which Colorado statute covers defacing or destruction of written instruments?

Defacing or destruction of written instruments is governed by C.R.S. § 18-4-507 (Defacing or destruction of written instruments).

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.