As an experienced Colorado probation violation attorney at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., Timothy Bussey understands the complexities of Colorado probation and its various programs. Mr. Bussey also knows that it can be confusing to keep track of the conditions of these programs. Many people assigned to probation commit violations without realizing it because they are not aware of or do not understand the conditions of their program. This is the first of a two-part article that will cover the basics of Colorado probation as well as the types of probation programs and their conditions.
The Colorado Judicial Department authorizes and oversees both juvenile and adult probation in Colorado’s 22 judicial districts, including 23 probation departments in more than 50 probation locations across the state. Generally, if a person is convicted of a crime in Colorado, they may be sentenced to probation, community corrections, jail, prison or to the Division of Youth Corrections if the person is a juvenile. A probation order is given by the Court after an adult offender pleads, or is found guilty of a felony or misdemeanor criminal charge. The terms and conditions of probation that the offender must abide by are also set by the Court.
Colorado probation may be supervised or unsupervised. Adults who are “low-risk” offenders may not have supervision conditions in the terms of their probation. Those adult offenders that do require supervised probation are required by law to pay a supervision fee of $50 per month. Other fees or fines may also be required as one of the probation conditions. The appointed probation officer would make any scheduling arrangements for the payment of Colorado probation fees.
The conditions of probation can be extensive and complicated. Although some conditions may be obvious, such as being required to obey the law, others can be very specific and pertain to the individual offender. If you have been sentenced to probation in Colorado, it is imperative that you understand the terms of your probation so that you can abide by them.
Please check back next week for the second of this two-part series where we will be discussing the different types of Colorado probation programs.