Ley sobre la Intoxicación en el Código Penal de Colorado

Explicación Simple

Si alguien comete un delito, estar ebrio no es una excusa para evitar la culpa. Sin embargo, si alguien está tan borracho que no puede controlar sus acciones y no se embriagó intencionalmente, podría no ser considerado culpable.

Es como cuando alguien se quema al cocinar porque usó un aceite que no sabía que era inflamable. Si no sabía que era peligroso, podría no ser responsable de la quemadura, pero si usó aceite sabiendo que podía causar problemas, entonces sí lo es.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan sale a una fiesta y consume varias copas de vino. Después, decide manejar y causa un accidente. Aunque estaba ebrio, su estado no le servirá de defensa porque él sabía que el vino podía afectarlo. Sin embargo, si Juan hubiera tomado un medicamento que lo hizo perder el control sin saberlo, podría argumentar que no fue responsable de su conducta.

Penalidades

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Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

C.R.S. 18-1-804 – Intoxication (1) Intoxication of the accused is not a defense to a criminal charge, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, but in any prosecution for an offense, evidence of intoxication of the defendant may be offered by the defendant when it is relevant to negative the existence of a specific intent if such intent is an element of the crime charged. (2) Intoxication does not, in itself, constitute mental disease or defect within the meaning of section 18-1-802 . (3) A person is not criminally responsible for his conduct if, by reason of intoxication that is not self-induced at the time he acts, he lacks capacity to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. (4) "Intoxication", as used in this section means a disturbance of mental or physical capacities resulting from the introduction of any substance into the body. (5) "Self-induced intoxication" means intoxication caused by substances which the defendant knows or ought to know have the tendency to cause intoxication and which he knowingly introduced or allowed to be introduced into his body, unless they were introduced pursuant to medical advice or under circumstances that would afford a defense to a charge of crime. Source: Section 18-1-804 — Intoxication , https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-18.­pdf (accessed May 26, 2025).