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Order Re: Factual Innocence Pursuant to 16-5 CO Courts

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ORDER TO SEAL PURSUANT TO §18-13-122(10), C.R.S.

County Court County, Colorado

Court Address:

State of Colorado

v.

Defendant:

COURT USE ONLY

Case Number:

Division: Courtroom:

ORDER TO SEAL PURSUANT TO §18-13-122(10), C.R.S.

The Court having read the Petition to Seal Pursuant to §18-13-122(10), C.R.S., and examining the record, finds that the Defendant has not been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of any felony, misdemeanor, or petty offense since the conviction on (date), and that the referenced record is eligible for sealing.

Information about the Defendant: Date of Birth:

Current Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip Code:

The Court orders the following pursuant to §18-13-122(10), C.R.S.:

1. The following information shall be sealed:

Date of Offense Name of Law Enforcement Agency Arrest/Summons Number

2. The Court directs the Clerk of Court to seal this county court case.

3. The Defendant or his/his attorney shall mail a copy of this Order to the following agencies to seal their records associated with this case:

District Attorney

Law Enforcement Agency (Identify name of agency):

Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV)

Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

State Court Administrator’s Office, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-5351: Attn: Records Sealed

Other:

Date:

Judge Magistrate

I certify that on (date), I mailed this Order to the following:

Defendant

Defendant’s Attorney

Clerk

Enter text

What the Order Re: Factual Innocence Pursuant to 16-5 CO Courts Is

The Order Re: Factual Innocence Pursuant to 16-5 is a court document used to formally acknowledge that a person has been found factually innocent under the relevant Colorado statutory procedure. It records the court's determination, vacates or nullifies prior convictions or certain collateral consequences as specified in the order, and directs the clerk to take follow-up actions such as expungement referrals, records correction, or notice to agencies. The order is issued by a judge after appropriate motions, evidentiary review, or a postconviction hearing and becomes part of the official court record once signed and entered.

Why this Order Matters for Parties and the Court

Recognizing factual innocence restores legal status, triggers record-correction workflows, and creates a clear, enforceable judicial finding for administrative and criminal record systems.

Why this Order Matters for Parties and the Court

Who Prepares and Relies on This Order

The order also serves the individual found innocent as an official basis for correcting criminal history and restoring certain civil rights or benefits.

  • Defense counsel and public defenders who file motions and draft proposed orders for judicial signature.
  • Prosecuting offices and victim services for notice and to coordinate record updates and restitution adjustments.
  • Court clerks and records personnel who enter the order, update docket entries, and notify repositories.

Core Elements of a Professional Order Re: Factual Innocence

A well-drafted order clearly identifies the case, recites the factual basis for innocence, lists the specific relief granted, and directs administrative steps for records. Precision reduces downstream disputes and supports consistent implementation across agencies.

Case Caption

Include court name, docket number, parties, and case title exactly as on the underlying judgment and docket to avoid clerical mismatches.

Findings

A concise factual finding describing the evidence or basis for concluding factual innocence, including dates and relevant witness or exhibit references.

Order Language

Explicit directives describing what is vacated, set aside, or corrected and any limits on scope, for example convictions, fines, or collateral consequences.

Remedial Steps

Instructions to the clerk, law enforcement, state repositories, and licensing boards about record updates, sealing, or referrals for expungement.

Signature Block

Judge signature line with printed name, title, and date; ensure space for clerk entry stamp and document entry date.

Distribution

List required recipients such as defense counsel, prosecutor, probation, records divisions, and any statutorily required agencies.

Stepwise Process to Prepare and Submit the Order

Follow these steps in order to draft, review, sign, and file the Order Re: Factual Innocence with the court and affected agencies.

  • 01
    Draft Order: Prepare proposed order reflecting court findings and specific relief.
  • 02
    Attach Support: Include transcripts, exhibits, or affidavits that form the factual basis.
  • 03
    Judge Review: Submit proposed order to the judge for revision and signature.
  • 04
    File and Distribute: File with the clerk and distribute certified copies to listed agencies.

Typical eFiling and eSubmission Settings

Configure submission workflows so the document is accepted by the court portal and accompanied by required attachments and signatures.

Field Configuration
eFiling Portal Select court-specific eFiling category and upload PDF/A document
Attachments Attach exhibits as separate, bookmarked PDFs when required
Signature Method Use judge-approved electronic signature method or in-court signature
Service List Include required recipients and proof of electronic service

Where to File and How the Order Moves Through the Court

Understand the routing so the order is entered, indexed, and transmitted to relevant repositories without delay.

  • Clerk Filing: Clerk enters signed order onto the docket
  • Record Update: Clerk notifies central record repository or state reporting systems
  • Agency Notice: Court or clerk sends certified notice to listed agencies
  • Disposition: Case disposition updated and public record amended

Digital Signing and eSubmission Considerations

When permitted, use platforms that support secure signatures, tamper-evident PDFs, and reliable delivery receipts to satisfy court and agency expectations.

  • Authentication: Use multi-factor or court-approved signer identity verification
  • Audit Trail: Preserve timestamp, IP, and signer attribution
  • File Formats: Submit PDF/A when required by the clerk

Timing and Typical Deadlines to Watch For

Timing varies by case posture and local rule; file promptly after a finding or new evidence to avoid administrative delays and to trigger agency notifications.

Motion Filing:

File the supporting motion or petition as soon as new evidence is available

Judge Scheduling:

Expect a hearing date per local court scheduling practices

Order Entry:

Order becomes effective on the date it is signed and entered

Agency Notification:

Clerk typically transmits notices within days to weeks, depending on backlog

Appeal Window:

Opposing parties may have statutory timeframes to object or appeal

Key Processing Milestones After the Order Is Filed

A typical sequence moves from filing to implementation; use this milestone view to track progress with the clerk and agencies.

01

Filing Submitted

Court receives the proposed order and supporting materials for docketing

02

Judicial Review

Judge reviews materials and signs or schedules hearing

03

Order Entered

Signed order is entered on the docket and becomes effective

04

Administrative Implement

Records units and agencies update databases per the order

Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Preparing the Order

  • Submitting an unsigned or improperly signed proposed order that clerks cannot file or accept.
  • Failing to attach the evidentiary support or referencing exhibits not included with the filing.
  • Using vague relief language that omits specific remedies or the agencies to notify.
  • Mismatching names, dates of birth, or docket numbers that prevent accurate record matching.

Risks and Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Order

Delayed Relief: Delayed implementation
Record Errors: Persistent incorrect criminal history
Agency Rejection: Notices returned or ignored
Appeals Risk: Increased litigation over scope
Administrative Burden: Repeat filings required
Client Harm: Denied benefits or licenses

Required Information and Key Fields to Include

Court Caption: Full case identifiers
Defendant Info: Name, DOB
Findings: Concise factual basis
Relief: Specific remedies
Signature: Judge signature line
Distribution: List of recipients

eSignature Pricing Comparison (signNow First)

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Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No envelope cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about completing, signing, filing, and enforcing an Order Re: Factual Innocence Pursuant to 16-5 CO Courts.


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