§ 18-1-102 — Purpose of code, statutory construction

Colorado § 18-1-102

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 18: Criminal
• Art.: Provisions Applicable to

Text

(1) This code shall be
construed in such manner as to promote maximum fulfillment of its general
purposes, namely:

(a) To define offenses, to define adequately the act and mental state which
constitute each offense, to place limitations upon the condemnation of conduct as
criminal when it is without fault, and to give fair warning to all persons concerning
the nature of the conduct prohibited and the penalties authorized upon conviction;

(b) To forbid the commission of offenses and to prevent their occurrence
through the deterrent influence of the sentences authorized; to provide for the
rehabilitation of those convicted and their punishment when required in the
interests of public protection;

(c) To differentiate on reasonable grounds between serious and minor
offenses, and prescribe penalties which are proportionate to the seriousness of
offenses and which permit recognition of differences in rehabilitation possibilities
as between individual offenders;

(d) To prevent arbitrary or oppressive treatment of persons accused or
convicted of offenses and to identify certain minimum standards for criminal justice
which, within the concept of due process of law, have the stature of substantive
rights of persons accused of crime;

(e) To promote acceptance of responsibility and accountability by offenders
and to provide restoration and healing for victims and the community while
attempting to reduce recidivism and the costs to society by the use of restorative
justice practices.

Legislative History

Source: L. 71: R&RE, p. 388, � 1. C.R.S. 1963: � 40-1-102. L. 2011: (1)(e) added, (HB 11-1032), ch. 296, p. 1401, � 4, effective August 10.