What is probation in Colorado?

Probation is an alternative to incarceration. If you are placed on probation, you will not have to go to or remain in prison or jail, subject to: Supervision by the Colorado Probation Department for the county in which you reside; and Compliance with the conditions of probation placed on you by the court.

When can I be released from probation early?

CRS 18-1.3-204 is the Colorado code section which describes the process for early termination of probation. In Colorado, a person may be released early from probation at the discretion of the court if: good cause is shown; and after after notice to the defendant, the district attorney, and the probation officer. A hearing may be held if either the defendant or district attorney requests it. At such time, the judge may reduce the term of probation or alter the conditions or impose new conditions.

Is there a certain amount of time I have to serve before requesting early termination?

No. While a court may consider the amount of time a person has spent on probation when making its decision, there is no specific amount of a time a person must first serve before requesting early termination of probation.

How do I request early termination of probation?

To receive early termination from probation, a defendant must file a motion requesting it. The motion must include: the defendant's name; the case number; the defendant's attorney; the defendant's sentencing date; and the defendant's expected termination date of probation. Each court has its own form, and you can acquire the correct form from your attorney.

Do I have to attend a hearing to request early termination of probation?

Maybe. A hearing on the motion is not required, unless either the district attorney or the defendant requests a hearing. If a hearing is requested, it is then required. At the hearing the defendant, with his or her attorney, will: request the early termination; provide proof of compliance with probation conditions; provide proof of payment of all fees, court costs, and restitution; and argue against the district attorney if he or she challenges the request.

What reasons do I have to give to be released early from probation?

To request early termination, a person must state a reason for early termination. A person may state any of the following as a reason for early release: the defendant has completed all conditions of probation (for example, community service hours, classes, treatment); the defendant has paid all fines, fees, court costs, and restitution; the defendant has not re-offended or had any contact with law enforcement since sentencing; the defendant has been compliant with monitored sobriety with no missed or positive tests; his or her probation officer has no objection to early termination; or for another reason which the defendant may provide. If the defendant wishes to give another reason, he or she must describe that reason with specificity.

Why should I request early termination of my probation?

A person may wish to terminate his or her probation early for a number of reasons, including: saving money on probation fees, saving money on drug and alcohol testing costs; gaining freedom from unnecessary restrictions; less stress; eliminating check-in's and other annoying requirements; and regaining freedom to travel without restriction again. Once a person has completed the major requirements of probation, it makes no sense to continue to pay the monthly cost of being on probation, when you have already paid your due.

How will the court decide whether to grant me early release?

The court will consider various factors when deciding whether to grant a defendant early release, including: compliance with alcohol and drug testing; compliance with counseling requirements; the opinion of the district attorney; recommendations of the probation officer; the amount of time remaining on probation; whether the defendant's early release is in the best interests of the community; payment of fines, fees, and costs; and the defendant's criminal history. Each of these factors may be considered in deciding to either grant or deny the motion.

What is probation in Colorado?

Probation is an alternative to incarceration. If you are placed on probation, you will not have to go to or remain in prison or jail, subject to: Supervision by the Colorado Probation Department for the county in which you reside; and Compliance with the conditions of probation placed on you by the court.

When can I be released from probation early?

CRS 18-1.3-204 is the Colorado code section which describes the process for early termination of probation. In Colorado, a person may be released early from probation at the discretion of the court if: good cause is shown; and after after notice to the defendant, the district attorney, and the probation officer. A hearing may be held if either the defendant or district attorney requests it. At such time, the judge may reduce the term of probation or alter the conditions or impose new conditions.

Is there a certain amount of time I have to serve before requesting early termination?

No. While a court may consider the amount of time a person has spent on probation when making its decision, there is no specific amount of a time a person must first serve before requesting early termination of probation.

How do I request early termination of probation?

To receive early termination from probation, a defendant must file a motion requesting it. The motion must include: the defendant's name; the case number; the defendant's attorney; the defendant's sentencing date; and the defendant's expected termination date of probation. Each court has its own form, and you can acquire the correct form from your attorney.

Do I have to attend a hearing to request early termination of probation?

Maybe. A hearing on the motion is not required, unless either the district attorney or the defendant requests a hearing. If a hearing is requested, it is then required. At the hearing the defendant, with his or her attorney, will: request the early termination; provide proof of compliance with probation conditions; provide proof of payment of all fees, court costs, and restitution; and argue against the district attorney if he or she challenges the request.

What reasons do I have to give to be released early from probation?

To request early termination, a person must state a reason for early termination. A person may state any of the following as a reason for early release: the defendant has completed all conditions of probation (for example, community service hours, classes, treatment); the defendant has paid all fines, fees, court costs, and restitution; the defendant has not re-offended or had any contact with law enforcement since sentencing; the defendant has been compliant with monitored sobriety with no missed or positive tests; his or her probation officer has no objection to early termination; or for another reason which the defendant may provide. If the defendant wishes to give another reason, he or she must describe that reason with specificity.

Why should I request early termination of my probation?

A person may wish to terminate his or her probation early for a number of reasons, including: saving money on probation fees, saving money on drug and alcohol testing costs; gaining freedom from unnecessary restrictions; less stress; eliminating check-in's and other annoying requirements; and regaining freedom to travel without restriction again. Once a person has completed the major requirements of probation, it makes no sense to continue to pay the monthly cost of being on probation, when you have already paid your due.

How will the court decide whether to grant me early release?

The court will consider various factors when deciding whether to grant a defendant early release, including: compliance with alcohol and drug testing; compliance with counseling requirements; the opinion of the district attorney; recommendations of the probation officer; the amount of time remaining on probation; whether the defendant's early release is in the best interests of the community; payment of fines, fees, and costs; and the defendant's criminal history. Each of these factors may be considered in deciding to either grant or deny the motion.

Cómo obtener "Terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional" en Colorado

Terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional puede estar disponible si completa los términos de su sentencia antes de lo previsto.

Salir de la libertad condicional antes de tiempo no es automático. Necesita presentar una moción ante el tribunal y también notificar al oficial de libertad condicional y al fiscal del distrito. El juez puede entonces llevar a cabo una audiencia sobre el asunto y liberarlo de la libertad condicional si se demuestra “buena causa”.

A continuación, nuestros abogados de defensa criminal en Colorado discuten las siguientes preguntas frecuentes:

1. ¿Qué es la libertad condicional en Colorado?

La libertad condicional es una alternativa a la encarcelación. A menudo se le otorga la libertad condicional como parte de un acuerdo de culpabilidad. Si se le otorga la libertad condicional, no tendrá que ir o permanecer en prisión o cárcel, sujeto a:

Supervisión por el Departamento de Libertad Condicional de Colorado para el condado en el que reside; y
Cumplimiento con los términos de su libertad condicional impuestos por el tribunal.

2. ¿Cuándo puedo ser liberado de la libertad condicional anticipadamente?

CRS 18-1.3-204 es la sección del código de Colorado que describe el proceso para la terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional. En Colorado, puede ser liberado anticipadamente de la libertad condicional a discreción del tribunal si:

se demuestra una buena causa; y
después de notificarle a usted, al fiscal de distrito y al oficial de libertad condicional.

Se puede llevar a cabo una audiencia si usted o el fiscal de distrito lo solicitan. En ese momento, el juez puede reducir su período de libertad condicional, modificar sus condiciones o imponer nuevas condiciones.¹

¿Hay un cierto tiempo que debo cumplir antes de solicitar la terminación anticipada?

No. Aunque el tribunal puede considerar el tiempo que ha pasado en libertad condicional al tomar su decisión, no hay un tiempo específico que deba cumplir antes de solicitar la terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional.

3. ¿Cómo solicito la terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional?

Debe presentar una moción solicitando la terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional.² La moción debe incluir:

su nombre;
su número de caso;
su abogado;
su fecha de sentencia; y
su fecha de terminación esperada de la libertad condicional.

Cada tribunal tiene su propio formulario, y puede obtener el formulario correcto de su abogado.

¿Debo asistir a una audiencia?

Tal vez. No se requiere una audiencia sobre la moción, a menos que el fiscal de distrito o usted soliciten una audiencia. Si se solicita una audiencia, entonces es obligatoria. En la audiencia, usted, con su abogado,:

solicitará la terminación anticipada;
proporcionar pruebas de cumplimiento de las condiciones de libertad condicional;
proporcionar pruebas de pago de todas las tarifas, costos judiciales y restitución; y
argumentar en contra del fiscal de distrito si desafían su solicitud.

Abogado defensor y cliente sonriendo el uno al otro después de que el juez en el fondo otorgó la terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional

Ser liberado de la libertad condicional temprana le ahorra dinero, tiempo y estrés.

4. ¿Cuáles son los motivos para la terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional?

Para solicitar la terminación anticipada, debe indicar un motivo para la liberación anticipada. Puede indicar cualquiera de los siguientes como motivo para la liberación anticipada:

Ha completado todas las condiciones de libertad condicional (por ejemplo, horas de servicio comunitario, clases, tratamiento, etc.);
Ha pagado todas las multas, tarifas, costos judiciales y restitución;
No ha vuelto a delinquir ni ha tenido ningún contacto con la policía desde la sentencia;
Ha cumplido con la sobriedad monitoreada sin pruebas perdidas o positivas;
Su oficial de libertad condicional no tiene objeciones a la terminación anticipada; o
Por otro motivo que pueda proporcionar.³

Si desea dar otro motivo, debe describir ese motivo con especificidad.

5. ¿Cuáles son los beneficios?

Puede desear terminar su libertad condicional anticipadamente por varias razones, incluyendo:

ahorrar dinero en tarifas de libertad condicional,
ahorrar dinero en costos de pruebas de drogas y alcohol;
obtener libertad de restricciones innecesarias;
menos estrés;
eliminar los registros y otros requisitos molestos; y
recuperar la libertad de viajar sin restricciones.

Una vez que haya completado los requisitos principales de la libertad condicional, no tiene sentido seguir pagando el costo mensual de estar en libertad condicional, cuando ya ha pagado su deuda.

Ejemplo: Como parte de un acuerdo de culpabilidad, Chris fue sentenciado a libertad condicional por dos años después de un DUI en Colorado. Después de 11 meses, había completado todos sus requisitos principales, incluyendo el pago de todas las tarifas y costos. Sin embargo, si no solicitaba la liberación anticipada, tendría que cumplir 13 meses más de libertad condicional, con una tarifa de $50 al mes. No había razón para continuar con esto, así que Chris contrató a un abogado para obtener la liberación anticipada, ahorrándole dinero y permitiéndole viajar para ver a su familia en la playa en California.

6. ¿Cómo decidirá el tribunal si me concede la liberación anticipada?

El tribunal considerará varios factores al decidir si le concede la liberación anticipada de la libertad condicional, incluyendo:

su cumplimiento con las pruebas de alcohol y drogas;
su cumplimiento con los requisitos de asesoramiento;
la opinión del fiscal de distrito;
recomendaciones del oficial de libertad condicional;
la cantidad de tiempo restante en la libertad condicional;
si su liberación anticipada es en el mejor interés de la comunidad;⁴
su pago de multas, tarifas y costos; y
su historial criminal.

Cada uno de estos factores puede ser considerado al decidir si se le concede o se le niega su solicitud.

Recursos adicionales

Para obtener información oficial sobre la libertad condicional en Colorado, consulte lo siguiente:

Información general sobre la libertad condicional – Poder Judicial de Colorado.
Departamento de Libertad Condicional por Condado – Poder Judicial de Colorado.
Hoja informativa sobre la libertad condicional en Colorado – Información general de la Oficina del Administrador de la Corte Estatal, División de Servicios de Libertad Condicional.
Condiciones para Adultos en Libertad Condicional – Posibles términos de libertad condicional del Departamento Judicial de Colorado para su uso en los Tribunales de Colorado.
Mudarse a otro estado mientras está en libertad condicional – Comisión Interestatal para la Supervisión de Delincuentes Adultos.

Referencias legales:

CRS 18-1.3-204(4)(a). (Condiciones de libertad condicional–fondo de transferencia de libertad condicional interestatal–creación).
Solicitud de terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional. Departamento Judicial de Colorado. (Formulario de muestra del condado de Jefferson). Véase también Estados Unidos v. Hartley, (10.º Cir., 2022) N.º 22-3010.
Igual que la nota al pie 1.
People v. Lientz (2012) 317 P.3d 1215.

My experience with Colorado legal Defense group. Diane was great. Always politely answering my calls , listening to my concerns and reassuring me every step of the way. Ahad gives new meaning to dedication and professionalism filing motions and keeping in contact with me even while he was on vacation. Mark Savoy always listen intently to everything I had to say and with his experience as a former deputy district attorney played an excellent devils advocate . I had a great team and highly recommend Colorado legal defense group.

Henry G.

This law firm holds the best lawyers that can handle hard to beat cases. Just when I thought all was impossible Allen Davis made it possible! All odds were in their favor and yet he was able to beat our case and bring my family back together. Thank you so much again highly recommend this law firm!

Danelle P.

Alan Davis handled my family’s case and did an amazing job. I felt like he listened to every concern and question we had. I felt like he really cared. He handled the case with the utmost care and paid attention to all details. He got us the best outcome possible and I am glad he represented us in the courtroom. Truly did an amazing job from beginning to end.

Cristal L.

Terminación anticipada de la libertad condicional en casos penales de Colorado (CRS 18-1.3-204)