Colorado Springs Felony Juvenile Defense Attorney
Colorado Juvenile Felony
Under Colorado law, felonies are crimes that are punishable by a year or more in state prison. Colorado ranks felonies into six classes depending on their severity. Class 1 felonies are the most severe and carry the heaviest punishments, while Class 6 felonies are the least severe and carry the lightest punishments.
Colorado juvenile courts are typically responsible for trying cases in which a juvenile, or person ages 10 to 17, is charged with a felony. According to the National Center for Juvenile Justice, about one percent of the cases tried in juvenile courts each year are felonies—most cases tried in juvenile courts are misdemeanors or juvenile-specific issues, such as those that deal with school expulsions or a young person who has run away from home.
Colorado's juvenile courts are the first courts in line when it comes to handling cases involving juveniles, including felony cases. However, some juvenile felony cases may be transferred to the district courts if the district attorney believes the juvenile involved in the case should be tried as an adult. In order to be tried as an adult, a young person must be at least 12-years-old and be charged with committing a Class 4 or higher felony. Often, a case will not be transferred unless the juvenile charged also has a prior record of cases appearing in the juvenile or district courts. The National Juvenile Justice Center notes that about two-thirds of the juvenile cases transferred to district court involve violent crimes, such as robbery or aggravated assault.
Juveniles who are at least 16-years-old and who are charged with committing a Class 1 or Class 2 felony, certain violent felonies, and/or a felony involving a weapon may see their cases filed directly in the district court, instead of beginning in the juvenile court and transferring at a later date. These cases will also involve having the juvenile charged tried as an adult, even if they are only 16 or 17-years-old.
Colorado was one of the first states to create a separate system for handling cases involving juveniles. The purpose of the juvenile justice system to is handle cases in which reform may be a better option than incarceration, because the young age of most juvenile offenders gives them a chance to learn from the mistakes of their youth. As a result, juveniles who are charged with felonies in Colorado may benefit from being able to have their cases heard in the juvenile courts. If the young person is found to have committed a felony, they may have more options for reform if the matter is handled in a juvenile court.
Since many juveniles charged with a Colorado felony face the risk of being tried as adults, it's wise to choose an experienced Colorado Springs juvenile felony defense attorney who knows how to represent clients in both the juvenile and adult justice systems. Attorney Timothy Bussey has handled a wide range of criminal cases, including charges brought against both juveniles and adults. His prior experience as a former El Paso and Teller County Deputy District Attorney gives him a firsthand insight into the decision-making process that determines whether or not to transfer a juvenile felony case into the district courts, and he knows how to present an aggressive defense that both protects a young person's rights and fights for the best possible outcome in their case. To learn more, please contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today.
Colorado Springs Juvenile Offenses lawyer Timothy Bussey at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. in Colorado represents clients in Colorado Springs and throughout El Paso County, including the cities of Fountain, Manitou Springs, and Monument.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 475-2555
Fax: (719) 475-0046
