Colorado criminal charge
Unlawful distribution of a suicide recording in Colorado
Unlawful distribution of a suicide recording is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-7-901. 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. § 18-7-901.
What is the penalty for unlawful distribution of a suicide recording in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to 100 usd (no statutory minimum) (Posting an image of suicide of a minor - general — Applies to a person who posts, distributes, or disseminates an image of a minor's suicide as described in subsection (1), punishable by a $100 penalty per violation.; civil matter, no jail; individual statutes may set a different fine) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 |
| Jail / prison | up to 120 days (no statutory minimum) (Posting an image of suicide of a minor - first/original poster — Applies when the person was the first or original person to post, distribute, or disseminate the image of a minor's suicide.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 750 usd (no statutory minimum) (Posting an image of suicide of a minor - first/original poster — Applies when the person was the first or original person to post, distribute, or disseminate the image of a minor's suicide.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is unlawful distribution of a suicide recording classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posting an image of suicide of a minor - general | civil infraction | Applies to a person who posts, distributes, or disseminates an image of a minor's suicide as described in subsection (1), punishable by a $100 penalty per violation. | 18-7-901(2) |
| Posting an image of suicide of a minor - first/original poster | class 2 misdemeanor | Applies when the person was the first or original person to post, distribute, or disseminate the image of a minor's suicide. | 18-7-901(2) |
Common questions about unlawful distribution of a suicide recording in Colorado
Is unlawful distribution of a suicide recording a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: unlawful distribution of a suicide recording ranges from a civil infraction to a class 2 misdemeanor in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-7-901.
Posting an image of suicide of a minor - general: civil infraction (C.R.S. § 18-7-901(2)) · Posting an image of suicide of a minor - first/original poster: class 2 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-7-901(2))
What are the penalties for unlawful distribution of a suicide recording in Colorado?
Penalties for unlawful distribution of a suicide recording in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a civil infraction up to a class 2 misdemeanor — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-503 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers unlawful distribution of a suicide recording?
Unlawful distribution of a suicide recording is governed by C.R.S. § 18-7-901 (Unlawful distribution of a suicide recording - definitions - Lil' Von Mercado's Law).
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.