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Sentencing

After an individual is found guilty of a crime, a judge imposes a sentence which may include fees, fines, community service, probation, jail, community corrections, or prison. The prosecutor and defense attorney on the case provide recommendations to the judge, who decides on the ultimate sentence. This section presents information on sentencing by the most severe sentence imposed on the case.

Why is this important? It is important to ensure sentences minimize unnecessary punitiveness while appropriately addressing serious crime. In addition, we want to treat all individuals fairly and equitably.








Indicators

Below are a set of indicators that provide additional context about sentencing. These indicators help the DA's Office ensure fairness in the type and severity of sentences imposed, reducing unnecessary pretrial detention, and avoiding unwarranted incarceration without compromising public safety.









Click Here for more information about race and ethnicity data collection and limitations.





Public Defender Qualification: In Colorado, incarcerated defendants are automatically appointed a public defender for as long as they remain in custody. Out-of-custody defendants must apply and meet federal indigence requirements to qualify for a public defender. Therefore, there is the potential for public defenders to be representing individuals accused of more serious crimes.




Pretrial Detention Indicators

Below are a set of indicators that provide additional context about pretrial detention, incarceration in jail prior to case resolution. These indicators help the DA's Office ensure the reduction of unnecessary pretrial detention.





This indicator is a proxy measure for pretrial detention. This indicator only includes defendants who are convicted and sentenced. This pretrial detention indicator may include defendants who fail to appear and are arrested, violate the terms of bond, or are otherwise detained after an initial release. This indicator does not include defendants who may have been detained but not convicted.

Due to the the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office implemented heightened arrest standards that limit the types of offenses that a defendant may be held in pretrial detention. Prior to December 1, 2022 the jail did not accept traffic related warrants arrests, first time drinking and driving offenses (unless no reasonable alternative can be found), and misdemeanor or municipal custodial arrests unless the charges require an advisement under the VRA. After December 1, 2022 the jail accepts all offenses regardless of level and we continue to monitor how are bond practices impact the jail population.

See our data story on Community Safety Focused Bond Reform






Click Here for more information about race and ethnicity data collection and limitations.

Notes:

  • Underlying data counts for each chart can be accessed through this link.
  • This data reflects only those cases where a sentence was ultimately imposed. Cases that resulted in diversion, an outright dismissal, or some other resolution, are not reflected here. 
  • This data represents initial sentences only, sometimes a case may have a subsequent sentence in cases because of a revocation of probation or due to a request to modify the sentence. Those subsequent sentences are not represented here.
  • Warrants are excluded (for all cases identified as a warrant).