Denver County Court

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY APPOINTMENTS?

At your first appointment, we need to verify your residence, phone number, place of employment and verify that you have a driver’s license or State ID card. On your first appointment, bring proof of your residence (utility bill, lease, personal mail, etc.) proof of your employment (last pay stub, note from employer), proof of your phone number and your driver’s license or State ID card. If any of this information changes during your time on probation, advise your Probation Officer and bring in new proof of the changes.

If you have enrolled in or completed any court ordered conditions or programs, you must bring in proof. This can be a receipt or letter from the agency or a certificate of completion. Your Probation Officer will verify all information.

CAN I BRING MY CHILD TO MY PROBATION APPOINTMENTS?

No. Please utilize the free Child Care Center located inside of the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse. They can be reached at 720-865-9930. Please note that they are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and are closed for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

HOW LONG DOES AN INTERVIEW TAKE FOR A PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATION (PSI)?

If the Court has ordered you to meet with Probation in order for a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) report to be completed prior to your sentencing date, you will be required to immediately report to the Probation Department after court. Expect to spend anywhere from 1-2 hours to fill out paperwork, be interviewed, and photographed.

If you are unable to stay that long on the same day, you must still report to the probation department immediately after court to provide your contact information and receive an appointment from one of the Probation Officers. On very busy days, you may be given an appointment to return that is convenient for both you and the Probation Officer.

HOW LONG WILL MY FIRST VISIT TAKE?

After you are sentenced and released, you are to immediately report to the Probation Department at 303 W. Colfax Avenue, floor 8, unless otherwise ordered by the Judge. The Probation Department is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Expect to spend 1-2 hours at the Probation Department to meet with a Probation Officer to receive your terms of probation and referral for any court ordered treatment. If you did not have to report for a PSI prior to sentencing, you will be required to fill out intake paperwork, be photographed, and be interviewed by a Probation Officer to determine any treatment requirements and other special conditions of your probation.

If you are released from court late, you should immediately report the next business day. Failure to immediately report is a violation of your probation and may result in sanctions being imposed or your probation being revoked. Your sentence begins on the date ordered by the Judge.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW IF I AM ON PROBATION FOR A DUI/DWAI?

Everyone convicted of a first time DUI is mandated by state guidelines to serve a minimum of one year under probation supervision. Repeat DUI offenders must serve at least 2 years of probation supervision.

You will be required to attend education and/or therapy classes. The level of education or therapy and the length of time required is determined by the assessment and interview conducted by your Probation Officer. You will be advised of your requirements by your Probation Officer during your first visit intake.

You will also be required to attend the Victim Impact Panel. It is a one-time, two hour-class that focuses on the impact drunk driving has on victims and the community. Your Probation Officer will provide you with an information sheet. The panel is coordinated through MADD. They have very specific rules concerning participation. There is a $25 fee if the offense was before July 1, 2016, or a $50 fee if the offense was on or after July 1, 2016. Please visit the www.madd.org/colorado/ for further information.

You may be ordered to complete an Alive at 25 class instead of the Victim Impact Panel. The Alive at 25 is a one time, four-hour class that is a driver’s awareness course designed by the National Safety Council for young drivers ages 15-24. Please visit https://aliveat25.us/ for further information.

You may also be required to attend other treatment, counseling, or classes as ordered by the Court or your Probation Officer. In addition, you may be required to complete community service and/or pay fines, costs, fees, or restitution.

Visit the website at www.colorado.gov/ladders for resources regarding treatment providers.

WHAT ARE THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS?

Your Probation Officer will monitor all of your conditions of probation and will provide you with a Reporting Requirements document at your first visit. You must follow the reporting expectations. If you have scheduled appointments, you must be on time and keep all appointments. If you find that you need to change your appointment, you must speak directly to your assigned Probation Officer.

If you miss your probation appointment, you violate your agreement with the Court. This can have serious consequences. You must call your assigned Probation Officer as soon as you can after the missed appointment. You must speak with the Probation Officer directly. You will be asked to discuss the reason you missed your appointment. Chronic problems with reporting can be considered a violation of your probation sentence.

WHAT DO I DO IF I PICK UP A NEW LAW VIOLATION WHILE ON PROBATION?

If you happen to be charged with a new law violation while under probation supervision, contact your assigned Probation Officer within 24 hours. Also, bring any documentation of your new law violation to your next scheduled appointment with your Probation Officer. Each new law violation is handled on a case by case basis. Your Probation Officer will assess the totality of circumstances and determine if further sanctions need to be imposed. Also, you will be required to comply with any court dates or fines that are imposed with the new law violation.

CAN I USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA WHILE ON PROBATION?

Every case is different, and permission to use medical marijuana while on probation is something that should immediately be discussed with your probation officer. Your probation officer will explain whether your case is eligible for medical marijuana use while on probation based on several factors, including but not limited to: alcohol/drug history, details of the offense, implementation of a protection order, court orders, etc. If you are curious whether you are permitted to use medical marijuana during your sentence, you will need to contact your assigned probation officer for further details.

IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT PROBATION OR MY PROBATION OFFICER, WHO SHOULD I CALL?

We strive to treat everyone professionally, efficiently, courteously, and respectfully. If you have a problem with your Probation Officer, the best thing will be to tell them what is bothering you. Open communication is important.

If you feel that you can’t resolve your problems with your Probation Officer, ask to speak to a Probation Supervisor at (720) 913-8300. We will promptly investigate any complaint. Your status on probation will not be negatively impacted just because you filed a complaint.

CAN I GO OUT OF TOWN?

You are not allowed to leave the State of Colorado without the approval from your Probation Officer, and in some cases you may require an actual travel permit prior to traveling. Speak to your Probation Officer to clarify whether your case requires a travel permit. If you wish to travel out of state, you must contact your Probation Officer two weeks prior to traveling in order to gain permission and schedule an appointment for a travel permit. If you must travel for an emergency, you must still seek approval from your Probation Officer prior to traveling. With less than two weeks notice, it is very possible that you may not be afforded the permission to travel out of state. Travel is a privilege while on probation; if you are not in compliance with probation your request to travel may be denied.

I AM ON PROBATION FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

You will be required to complete a domestic violence evaluation and any recommended treatment. A list of approved Domestic Violence treatment providers can be located at:

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dcj/find-treatment-provider-domestic-violence-offenders

You may be required to comply with monitored sobriety. If monitored sobriety is not initially ordered by the Court, your Probation Officer will determine if monitored sobriety is required based upon your departmental assessments, criminal history, substance abuse history, and the requirements of the protection order in place.

A protection order will be active throughout the duration of your probation sentence. If you have questions about the requirements of your protection order, you must contact your Probation Officer or the Court for further information. Protection orders may be modified during the probation term, and all revisions must be approved by the Court. Any violation of the protection order requirements is a direct violation of probation, and may result in a petition to revoke probation being submitted to the Court.

You may also be required to attend other treatment, counseling, or classes by the Court or your Probation Officer. In addition, you may be required to pay fines, costs, fees, or restitution.

CAN I MOVE OUT OF STATE? WHAT IF I LIVE OUT OF STATE?

You are not allowed to move out of the State of Colorado without the approval of your Probation Officer. If you are sentenced to probation only a Probation Officer can make the necessary arrangements for you to be supervised out of state. A Judge may approve for you to move out of state, however, this means that the Judge is not opposed to your move as long as you meet the requirements set forth by the interstate compact of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision.

Certain offenses require an application for Interstate Compact to be submitted prior to relocation. Once the application is submitted, the receiving state will conduct an investigation, and accept or deny your request to have your supervision transferred. It is not the Denver County Court Probation Department’s decision on whether you can move while you are on probation supervision. It is therefore important for you to contact your Probation Officer immediately upon knowing that you would like to move out of state. You will be required to complete an application, which will be sent to the other state for investigation. That state has 45 days to either accept or deny the transfer. If the state does deny the transfer, you will not be allowed to move to that state. If you relocate out of state without permission, this is a direct violation of your probation and Interstate Compact law, and will result in a petition to revoke probation being submitted to the court. Your Probation Officer will work with you to assist you in being successful while on probation, even if it means assisting you with applying for a transfer to another state.

If your offense requires that you submit an Interstate Compact application, there will be a $100 application fee to be charged. You will be required to make this payment prior to your application being processed. Speak to your Probation Officer directly to see if you are required to complete and application and pay the application fee.

WHAT IF I LIVE FAR FROM DENVER?

Denver County Court Probation does not transfer cases for courtesy supervision within the borders of the State of Colorado. If you are sentenced to probation out of the Denver County Court, but reside far from Denver, your Probation Officer will work with you to ensure you are able to comply with your terms of probation. You must attend all treatment and complete all monitored sobriety requirements, however, your in-person reporting may be adjusted to accommodate you as long as you are in compliance with your probation. If you fail to comply with said conditions, you may be ordered to report in person.

CAN I TERMINATE PROBATION EARLY?

The Court may let you terminate your probation sentence early if you meet all the requirements of the Court’s sentencing order. If this is an option for you, your Probation Officer will discuss it with you. If it is not an option, you need to report to probation for the full time ordered by the Court. The probation department does not support or approve of early termination for any offense other than a first time Driving Under the Influence or Driving While Ability Impaired. However, everyone has the right to file a motion for early termination with the courts.

I HAVE FINISHED MY PROBATION, HOW DO I SEAL MY RECORD?

*Alcohol/drug and driving offenses do not qualify.

Exclusions apply to:

  • Records pertaining to class 1 or class 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses.
  • Records pertaining to class A or class B traffic infractions.
  • Deferred judgment and sentences for violating certain driving under the influence laws.
  • Deferred judgment and sentences for which the factual
  1. A person convicted of certain crimes has the right to seek to have his or her criminal record sealed;
  2. There are collateral consequences associated with a criminal conviction that a sealing order can alleviate;
  3. The crimes that are eligible for sealing and the associated time period that a person must wait prior to seeking sealing are:
    • For convictions involving controlled substances entered on and after July 1, 2008 and prior to July 1, 2011:
      • 10 years or more after the final disposition date or release from supervision, whichever is later for:
        • Any petty offense or misdemeanor in violation of article 18 of title 18;
        • Any class 5 or 6 felony in violation of article 18 of title 18 with the exception of class 5 or 6 felonies that involved the sale, manufacturing or dispensing of controlled substances or attempt to commit such offenses or possession for purposes of committing such offenses;
        • Any offense that would be classified as a class 5 or 6 felony in violation of a provision of article 18 of title 18 if the offense were to have occurred on July 1, 2008.
    • For convictions involving controlled substances entered on after July 1, 2011:
      • 3 years after the final disposition or release from supervision, whichever is later for:
        • Petty offense or Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor in article 18 of title 18;
      • 5 years after the final disposition or release from supervision, whichever is later for:
        • Class 1 misdemeanor in article 18 of title 18;
      • 7 years after the final disposition or release from supervision, whichever is later for:
        • Class 5 or 6 felony drug possession in Sections 18-18-403.5 or 18-18-404 C.R.S., or Section 18-18-405, C.R.S. as it existed prior to August 11, 2010;
      • 10 years after the final disposition or release from supervision, whichever is later for all other offenses in article 18 of title 18.
    • For any petty offense and municipal offense convictions:
      • 3 or more years after the final disposition or release from supervision.
    • A person may file a petition for sealing each case only once every 12-month period.
  4. The state public defender has compiled a list of laws that impose collateral consequences related to a criminal conviction. The list is available on the state public defender’s website at: http://pdweb.coloradodefenders.us/
  5. If you have any questions regarding sealing, you should seek legal counsel.

WHAT IF I CAN’T GET EVERYTHING DONE ON TIME?

It is your responsibility to complete every obligation that has been set by the Court. If you are having problems with that, discuss it with your Probation Officer. Your Probation Officer will determine if your case is appropriate for an extension of probation or if a violation of probation petition is needed. Even if you have a violation filed, it is important that you continue to come to probation and work on all of your outstanding conditions. Your Probation Officer will discuss all your options with you at that time.

ARE THERE SEX OFFENDERS WHO ARE ON PROBATION?

Yes, some sex offenders are on probation. Most adults are ordered to participate in the sex offender supervision program which holds them to very strict standards of conduct. Juvenile Sex Offenders are assigned to a juvenile probation officer for supervision. Colorado has strict standards for supervision of sex offenders that are established by the Sex Offender Management Board.

WHAT DOES THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT DO FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME?

As a victim, or a member of the victim’s family, your rights are guaranteed by the Colorado Constitution. One of your rights under the Colorado Constitutional Amendment for Victim’s Rights is to be notified of the critical status changes in the defendant’s probation supervision. You may make your request by calling the Victim Advocate at 720-913-8372.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are unable to reach your assigned Probation Officer due to them being out of the office, please contact the front desk at 720-913-8300 and ask to speak with the Officer of the Day.

Other important contacts:

Denver County Court Probation Department: 720-913-8300

Denver District Court: 303-607-7000

Denver Probate Court: 720-865-8310

Sentry Testing Line at 303-515-7638

Collections / Community Service (Room 160 of the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse): 720-337-0410

Child Care Center (Inside Lindsey Flanigan Courthouse) 720-865-9930

Victim Advocate 720-913-8372

DUI/DWAI Treatment Information www.colorado.gov/ladders

Domestic Violence Treatment Information https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dcj/find-treatment-provider-domestic-violence-offenders

Alive at 25 https://aliveat25.us/

MADD Panel www.madd.org/co 303.425.5902

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