KAREN Y ARGUETA

Knowingly inflicting injury on a child under 18 (through non-accidental means) is child abuse, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and/or up to $2,500 in fines. If the abused child is 8 years old or younger, the offense is elevated to a Class D felony punishable by 2-12 years in prison. Enhanced penalties apply for child neglect or endangerment with aggravating factors.

Penalty: Class A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500

It is illegal to alter, destroy, hide, or create fake records, documents, or physical evidence when you know an investigation or court proceeding is happening, if you intend to affect the evidence or the outcome of the case. A conviction is a Class C felony punishable by 3-15 years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

Penalty: Class C felony; 3-15 years; fine up to $10,000

Second-degree murder is intentionally killing another person, or killing someone through unlawful distribution of Schedule I or Schedule II drugs (or fentanyl/carfentanil) when the drug directly causes the death. Punishment ranges from 15 to 60 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines, with enhanced sentences if the victim is a minor or if the defendant committed multiple acts of domestic abuse against the same victim showing a pattern of conduct likely to cause death.

Penalty: Class A felony; 15-60 years; fine up to $50,000

It is illegal to knowingly manufacture, deliver, sell, or possess with intent to deliver a controlled substance. This is typically a Class E felony punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and a fine up to $3,000, but the penalty increases to a Class A, B, C, or D felony depending on the type of drug and amount involved.

Penalty: Class E felony; 1-6 years; fine up to $3,000