The Colorado Court of Appeals has upheld a restitution order of $168,080.44 against Josiah Goshon, a juvenile convicted of robbery and assault. This ruling, announced on October 22, 2026, affects Goshon, who was charged as an adult for a violent crime that left the victim paralyzed. The decision is significant as it clarifies the restitution obligations for juveniles charged in adult court.
Goshon was just sixteen years old when he and his friends committed the crime on July 7, 2023, in Commerce City, Colorado. During the robbery, Goshon attacked the victim with a gun, causing severe injuries. The victim's medical expenses, covered by Medicaid, became the basis for the restitution order. The case highlights the legal complexities surrounding juvenile offenders and their financial responsibilities following violent crimes.
The case began when Goshon was arrested and charged with multiple serious offenses, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated robbery. After entering a plea deal in May 2024, he was sentenced to 24 years in custody, with the possibility of a six-year Youthful Offender System (YOS) sentence. As part of his plea agreement, Goshon also consented to pay restitution, which became a focal point of the appeal.
Before sentencing, the prosecution sought restitution to cover the victim's medical costs incurred through Medicaid. Goshon contested this, arguing that the juvenile restitution statute should apply instead of the adult criminal restitution laws. He claimed that the court could not order him to pay restitution to an insurance company, which he argued Medicaid effectively represented due to his juvenile status.
The district court ruled in favor of the prosecution, stating that Goshon was charged and convicted as an adult, and therefore, the adult restitution laws applied. The court found that the juvenile restitution statute, which prohibits ordering a juvenile to pay restitution to an insurance company, did not apply to Goshon because he was not adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent.
The Colorado Court of Appeals, in its ruling, affirmed the district court's decision. The judges stated, "Because Goshon was sentenced to the YOS under title 18, section 18-1.3-601(1)(b) controls his restitution obligation." This ruling underscores the distinction between juvenile delinquency and adult criminal convictions, emphasizing that juveniles charged as adults are subject to the same laws as adult offenders.
The court elaborated that restitution is a mandatory component of a defendant's sentence, and those convicted under the adult criminal code have a legal obligation to make full restitution to victims. The judges noted that Goshon's case was direct filed, meaning he was prosecuted as an adult from the outset, which further solidified the application of adult restitution laws.
The ruling has broader implications for how juvenile offenders are treated in the legal system, especially regarding financial restitution. It clarifies that juveniles tried as adults are not shielded from the full extent of adult penalties, including restitution for damages caused by their actions. This decision could influence future cases involving juveniles charged with serious crimes and the financial responsibilities that accompany such convictions.
Looking ahead, Goshon has the option to appeal the ruling. However, details about whether he plans to pursue further legal action were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case may also impact similar cases involving juveniles in Colorado and set a precedent for how courts handle restitution in future juvenile criminal cases.