When a juvenile is arrested in Colorado, the child may be released to a parent or responsible adult, referred for detention screening, or held for a prompt detention hearing. If the child remains in custody, the hearing generally must occur within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The district attorney then decides whether to file a delinquency petition, offer diversion, or decline to prosecute formally. Decisions made during
The crime of menacing can seem vague. It’s certainly a broad charge, intended to cover a wide variety of behaviors.
However, a seemingly minor change can raise a charge of menacing from a misdemeanor to a felony. This difference in the charges makes all the difference for the person being accused.
Colorado’s crime of menacing is intended to help keep people safe. When the statute covers such broad behavior, though,
