Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyers
Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyers
Being arrested for Domestic Violence in Colorado can be devastating to the person arrested. In Colorado, domestic violence is considered the act or threat of violence between two people who have shared an intimate relationship. According to Colorado law, an intimate relationship is defined as a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time.
What most people don’t realize is that domestic violence is used by the courts to increase punishment for other crimes. Many criminal acts can be used as the initial charge in a domestic violence prosecution in Colorado. You may be charged with assault, stalking or harassment. Each of these would be considered a separate charge and domestic violence used to increase the sentence for these crimes.
In addition, you don’t necessarily need to physically harm someone to be charged with domestic violence. Breaking property, threatening someone, texting or calling repeatedly, or even using obscene language can result in a charge. To make matters worse, Colorado is considered a mandatory arrest state. You need to know, if police are called, someone is going to jail. If you are contacted by police for domestic violence in Colorado and believe you may be arrested, don’t make any statement!
A domestic violence conviction will result in harsh penalties. The penalties for domestic violence in Colorado include up to two years in jail, one or more years of probation, 36-weeks of domestic violence counseling, and a court-issued protection order that prohibits you from contacting or coming within a certain distance of the victim. A protection order and domestic violence conviction can also impact future contact with your child or children. If you were charged with felony domestic violence, you may also face time in the state prison.
Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyers
A person with domestic violence-related convictions will be prevented from ever possessing firearms under either the Brady Bill or Lautenberg Amendment. While for some people, this may not seem a matter of concern, however for sportsmen or those who are in the military, law enforcement or security professions, a domestic violence conviction will adversely affect the rest of his or her life.
Many people also believe that the alleged victim can just drop the charges. In Colorado domestic violence cases, prosecutors cannot drop domestic violence charges unless they determine it would be impossible to prove the case in a trial. Even if the alleged victim of domestic violence in Colorado tells the court that they don’t want charges to be filed, the District Attorney is not permitted to drop a case resulting from domestic violence. Your case will not be dismissed just because you have made up with your accuser.
In some jurisdictions, Colorado law requires that all offenders charged with domestic violence must be held in custody until advised by the court. The Fast Track program allows offenders to meet with a Deputy District Attorney at the first court appearance Although the Fast Track program states it is in place to allow for early intervention and treatment of the offender and safe participation of the victim, in reality, the domestic violence fast track was designed by prosecutors and special interest groups to coerce a defendant into pleading guilty prior to ever speaking to an attorney.
Do not do anything without consulting with an experienced Colorado domestic violence attorney first if you have been arrested. Only experienced Colorado domestic violence lawyers can help you understand the possible consequences you are facing and help you navigate the legal system to get the best possible resolution to your situation. The Colorado domestic violence laws are complex and difficult to navigate, however, in most cases an experienced domestic violence defense attorney can help a client receive the best resolution and reduction in charges and penalties.
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Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyers