Colorado § 16-7-202 - Presence of defendant.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-7-202 — Presence of defendant., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-7-202. Presence of defendant.
(1) If the offense charged is a felony, a level 1 drug misdemeanor, or a class 1 misdemeanor or if the maximum penalty for the offense charged is more than one year's imprisonment, the defendant must be personally present for arraignment; except that the court, for good cause shown, may accept a plea of not guilty made by an attorney representing the defendant without requiring the defendant to be personally present. In all prosecutions for lesser offenses, the defendant may appear by his or her attorney who may enter a plea on his or her behalf. If the defendant appears personally for a charge that is not in title 42, the court may advise the defendant of the possibility that restorative justice practices may be part of a sentence, if available in the jurisdiction.
(2) If a plea of guilty or nolo contendere (no contest) is entered by counsel in the absence of the defendant, the court may command the appearance of the defendant in person for the imposition of sentence.
Source: L. 72: R&RE, p. 221, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 39-7-202. L. 2011: (1) amended, (HB 11-1032), ch. 296, p. 1400, § 1, effective August 10. L. 2013: (1) amended, (SB 13-250), ch. 333, p. 1930, § 42, effective October 1. L. 2017: (1) amended, (HB 17-1039), ch. 58, p. 182, § 1, effective August 9.
ANNOTATION
Applied in People v. Lesh, 668 P.2d 1362 (Colo. 1983).
Source: official Colorado text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 16-7-202
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-7-202 cover?
Section 16-7-202 ("Presence of defendant.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 16-7-202?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 16-7-202" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 16-7-202 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.