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Some crimes are more serious than others, particularly in the eyes of the law. In Colorado, a felony is the most serious kind of criminal charge. It is reserved for activity that the government considers especially harmful or dangerous, though defendants sometimes end up charged with a more serious crime than they deserve.

Felonies carry very harsh penalties, including lengthy prison sentences and revocation of some of your most basic rights as a citizen of the United States. Your entire world can change for the worst, and without an effective defense, the consequences may follow you for the rest of your life.

Colorado’s prosecutors and police are aggressive in pursuing felony charges. Innocent people sometimes find themselves facing a terrifying felony charge simply because the police made a mistake. Similarly, small-scale misdemeanor activity is often unfairly ramped up to a felony charge because the state failed to exercise sound judgment when assessing the crime.

If you have been charged with a felony in Colorado, you need a legal advocate with an in-depth understanding of Colorado criminal law on your side.

Our defense lawyers know how frightening, embarrassing, and fundamentally unfair Colorado’s felony charges can be. We also understand that anyone can make a mistake — even good, honest people who’ve slipped up and found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

Our experienced felony lawyers provide a passionate, tireless, and aggressive defense for those who need a helping hand against the Colorado justice system. Having a compassionate and experienced advocate by your side can make all the difference.

Colorado Felony Charges Must Be Taken Seriously

If you have been charged with a felony in Colorado, your future and freedom are at stake. You are facing the very real threat of a long-term prison sentence, not to mention a criminal shadow that will follow you around for the rest of your life. You must take immediate and decisive action to fully protect your rights.

Even if wrongfully accused, attempting to handle felony charges on your own could forever impair your quality of life. Tackling any serious criminal charge without experienced legal representation is an enormous mistake.

Hiring an experienced felony lawyer may be the most important thing you ever do. These cases are complicated, and the stakes are high.

Do not accept a felony charge that you don’t deserve. Let our attorneys fight for your freedom.

What Is a Felony?

There is some confusion in the general public about what “felony” means. Some people are under the mistaken belief that a felony is exclusively a federal charge. That is not true. Felonies exist under both state and federal law. The State of Colorado may charge you with a felony based purely on the state criminal code. A Denver felony defense attorney can help you understand your legal options and protect your rights if you’re facing felony charges.

People are also sometimes surprised to learn that “felony” includes a much broader range of crimes than they realized. While felonies are defined as crimes of “high seriousness,” they expand far beyond the capitol offenses that the public most readily associates with that term.

Sometimes, a mere technicality can bump a minor charge up to a felony. Unfortunately, prosecutors and police are known to sometimes exploit those technicalities in order to unfairly secure a tougher conviction. Indeed, you may find yourself facing a felony for what seems like a very low-level offense.

What Is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor?

If a crime is not a felony, it is usually considered a misdemeanor or a petty offense. These latter charges are less serious than felonies, though they may still carry significant consequences that require a strong defense.

Wolf Law, LLC provides representation for a wide range of crimes, including both felony charges and misdemeanors in Colorado. You’ll find information about misdemeanors elsewhere on this website; meanwhile, the remainder of this page will explain the various felony classes in Colorado, the potential penalties, and how a felony lawyer in Denver can help.

What are the Felony Classes in Colorado?

Colorado’s criminal code divides felonies into six different classes, according to the severity of the allegations and the penalties attached.

In the outline below, each class is listed along with a “presumptive range” penalty. Please note that, in extreme or aggravated cases (as explained further below), the punishments may be far more extensive than the ranges listed below.

Class 6 Felony: 12 to 18 months in prison, plus a fine of $1,000 to $100,000. 1 year of parole.

Class 5 Felony: 1 to 3 years in prison, plus a fine of $1,000 to $100,000. 2 years of parole.

Class 4 Felony: 2 to 6 years in prison, plus a fine of $2,000 to $500,000. 3 years of parole.

Class 3 Felony: 4 to 12 years in prison, plus a fine of $3,000 to $750,000. 5 years of parole.

Class 2 Felony: 8 to 24 years in prison, plus a fine of $5,000 to $1,000,000. 5 years of parole.

Class 1 Felony: Life imprisonment or Death (Capital Punishment). Class 1 felonies are reserved the most serious crimes, most commonly first-degree murder.

In reviewing these guidelines, it is important to note that while Class 6 is less serious than Class 1, there is no such thing as a non-serious felony. Now, within Colorado there are also Drug Felony Classes as well. In the outline below, just as the Felony Classes above, these are merely a presumptive range that may change with aggravated circumstances.

Drug Felony Class 1: 8* to 32 years in prison, plus a fine of $500,000 to $1,000,000. 3 years of parole.

Drug Felony Class 2: 4 to 8 years in prison, plus a fine of $3,000 to $750,000. 2 years of parole.

Drug Felony Class 3: 2 to 4 years in prison, plus a fine of $2,000 to $500,000. 1 year of parole.

Drug Felony Class 4: 6 months to 1 year in prison, plus a fine of $1,000 to $100,000. 1 year of parole

*Unlike other provisions, a Class 1 Drug Felony requires a mandatory sentence to prison.

Keep in mind the above list does not indicate the common sentences for petty drug offenses and misdemeanors. These offenses are classified according to the weight of the drug involved and will have different offense levels, as well as different sentencing.

When Penalties Get Worse: Extraordinary Risk Crimes and Aggravating Factors

Colorado allows for even tougher penalties than those listed above when certain factors are alleged. An extraordinary risk crime is one that alleges aggravated robbery, child abuse, or certain kinds of drug-related behavior or violence. Any felony charged as an extraordinary risk crime will have a wider penalty range.

Additionally, various aggravating factors can increase the seriousness of a charge or its penalties. These may include prior convictions, parole violations, use of a deadly weapon, or commission of certain sex crimes, among other factors.

Some felonies may also have specific sentences and exceptions established in their own statutes, and these charges may fall outside the guidelines listed above.

Prosecutors have a certain amount of discretion in deciding which penalties to pursue against a given defendant, depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations and the track record of the accused. An experienced felony lawyer in Denver can help ensure that charges are applied and pursued fairly, reducing penalties for aggravated or extraordinary risk crimes to the greatest extent possible.

What Rights Will I Lose if Convicted of a Felony?

Felony convictions often trigger the loss of basic citizenship rights, which may include:

  • The right to travel abroad
  • The right to vote (while incarcerated)
  • The right to possess firearms
  • The right to serve on a jury
  • Certain parental rights or benefits
  • Eligibility for certain governmental assistance / supplements
  • Eligibility for certain kinds of employment

This is not necessarily a comprehensive list. Remember that felony convictions will be added to your permanent record and could impact your access to employment, education, assistance, and many other resources or opportunities for the rest of your life.

Get Help from an Experienced Felony Lawyer in Denver

Being charged with a felony might seem like the end of the world, but it isn’t. Hiring an experienced felony lawyer in Denver might mean the difference between freedom and a long time spent in prison.

When you contact Wolf Law, you can rest assured that Jeffrey Wolf himself will handle your defense. He will work with you to thoroughly examine all of the evidence, including important mitigating factors, and mount an effective challenge in order to minimize the penalties you might otherwise face.

Time matters. If you need an excellent and compassionate felony lawyer in Denver, please contact Wolf Law for a free consultation today.

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Beyond the Best

Jeffrey Wolf has been a beacon of hope to me when my situation seemed limited and unlikely of a positive outcome. He represented me for a DUI and as a domestic violence victim and did a phenomenal job on both. Not only was he able to defend and represent me, but his empathetic and ethical demeanor offered hope to myself and someone I truly care about. My partner and I are eternally grateful for his service, and I hereby recommend him without hesitation since I could not imagine a better result without him representing me.

— Marisabel

Colleen Kelley and Wolf Law

In the past few years I have had the unfortunate circumstance of needing a criminal defense attorney. I cannot overstate how fortunate I was to have chosen Colleen Kelley. I can honestly say that without Colleen on my side that I would have been sentenced to significantly more time and more serious charges than were warranted in my situation.

Colleen is undoubtedly a major reason as to why I am free today and able to move on with rebuilding my life. I would without hesitation recommend Colleen to anyone who needs a criminal defense attorney.

— Matthew M.

My Case

Jeffrey handle my domestic case with sympathy and understanding. He reviewed all the facts and found that l was actually the victim in his opinion and never should have been put in the position l found myself. He reviewed his findings/opinion with the DA and got my case dismissed. Jeffrey was very thorough, sympathetic and a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend him.

— Glen

Fantastic Law Firm – Take it From an Attorney

I have been an attorney for 18 years. I have seen Jeff Wolf in court handle a large variety of criminal defense and protection order matters with the highest degree of professionalism and effectiveness. Jeff is not only intelligent and incredibly timely and efficient, but also carries a wide scope of wisdom and experience; there is nothing he has not seen.

I know if I refer friends or clients to him, they will be in strong capable hands with an attorney who truly cares and is a great advisor. I have also seen Colleen Kelley in major felony hearings in court and she is a force to be reckoned with.

When I needed an attorney for my own legal situation, I retained Jeff and his firm. I witnessed first-hand how competent and reassuring Jeff and Collen are as attorneys and counselors, but from the perspective of a client. Superb attorneys, but also the best people. When I am unable to accept a criminal case, I often refer the potential client to the Wolf Law LLC.

— Anon, Esq.

Highly Recommended

First of all, I would like to thank Colleen Kelley and all the staff at Wolf Law for helping me greatly with my legal matters. I called and was able to get consulted that same day, and the prices are very manageable. Colleen did an awesome job and took her time reviewing all the evidence and negotiating with the DA. In my first case she was able to get the charges completely dismissed, which was very impressive. I had a second case where she got me a deferred judgment deal, which was great considering the charges pending. I am very pleased with her efforts and time spent working on my case. Again, I would highly recommend Wolf Law, giving them 5/5 stars!

— Michael

Wolf Review

I hired Jeff Wolf to represent me in a DUI case where I was charged, but was not the one that was driving the vehicle. From the very beginning I felt that I was in good hands because he made me secure in the fact I was innocent and that, though I was drunk, I did not do anything against the law. Every time I emailed him, I received a response immediately. I felt that he knew the system well, and how to handle this “game” of law. When he had to deal with a health emergency, he made me aware of my options and what he thought would be my best choice, which was being represented for court by another attorney that knew my case inside and out. He just called me this past Monday to let me know my case was dismissed! I would recommend Jeff Wolf to anyone being charged with anything in Colorado. He knows the laws of Colorado and will keep it real with the possible outcomes of your case.

— Stephanie

DUI Charge Reduced to Reckless Driving

I approached Mr. Wolf due to a first-time DUI charge. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional throughout every step of the legal process. As a result of his diligence in court, the charges against me were reduced to reckless driving. I would recommend Mr. Wolf’s services to my friends and family.

— Gina

Services with Jeff

Jeff accepted a traffic violation case with not a ton of time to prepare. He provided clear instructions on how to proceed with the initial hearing in order for this individual to receive an extension and time to gain attorney representation. From there, he continued take the extra steps necessary to not only communicate effectively and clearly but also provide a level of advocacy that was necessary for this vulnerable individual! Thanks Jeff — Your work, patience and understanding is greatly appreciated!

— Nicole Young

Excellent Representation!

Jeff was with me from Day 1 after getting pulled over for an accused DUI charge. Jeff’s knowledge of the process and responsiveness to my questions, concerns were impressive. His professionalism to me and in court was excellent. Jeff truly made this stressful and emotionally taxing situation 100 times better. I am grateful he was referred to me. I would definitely recommend Jeff if ever faced with a driving-related charge. Jeff will be my first call in the future for any legal counsel (which hopefully, is never again).

— Scott

Best Possible Outcome Thanks to Wolf Law

When I walked into the office I was at a low point I can’t describe. When I talked to Jeffrey Wolf I wanted to hear, “Don’t worry, you’re going to be fine.” Instead I was told the honest truth: I was in serious trouble, but he would fight like crazy to get me the best possible outcome. After thinking about that I realized it was far better to hear the truth rather than a lawyer trying to get my business, and in the end I got exactly what Jeff said: Good advice, an excellent professional defense, and I believe the best possible outcome I could have wanted. I highly recommend Wolf Law.

— David R.