Colorado State Law's 18-3-203 Sentencing Guidelines

A person may serve prison time when convicted of second-degree assault.

Colorado Revised Statute (CRS) 18-3-203 provides for second-degree assault. When a defendant is convicted, a judge will review the sentencing guidelines to determine an appropriate prison term and possible fine.

Second-Degree Assault

Under CRS 18-3-203, second-degree assault is most commonly an intentional act with a deadly weapon that causes bodily injury to another or a reckless act with a deadly weapon that causes serious bodily injury. Assault in the second degree is a Class 4 felony, classified as a "violent crime."

Penalties

Penalties for felonies are set forth in CRS 18-1.3-401. A defendant convicted of a Class 4 felony, like second-degree assault, faces two to six years in prison. A judge can also impose a fine of $2,000 to $500,000 instead of or in addition to the prison term.

Additional Factors

When determining the appropriate sentence, a judge will also consider other factors set forth in the sentencing guidelines. These factors include the violent nature of the offense; whether the defendant has denied or accepted responsibility; the victim's impact statement; a defendant's statement of remorse, if made; and the defendant's prior criminal history.

References

• Michie.com: Colorado Revised Statute 18-3-203. Assault in the second degree
• Michie.com: Colorado Revised Statute 18-1.3-401. Felonies classified -- presumptive penalties
• Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney: Colorado Sentence Calculator