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Assault Defense in Colorado

Defense against first-, second-, and third-degree assault and menacing charges in Colorado.

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Attorney Q&A clips

So for strangulation to be actually charged under the Criminal Code, there has to be that underlying assault. But then the act that is done has to be an act. Sometimes people say choking, but it's actually strangling putting your hands around another person or causing something to cut off airflow to another person.
Alexis Austin Litle · What's The Difference Between 3rd Degree Assault And Strangulation?? // Right Law Group #coloradoWatch clip ↗
What's crucially important is that if you find yourself unfortunately charged with a strangulation, you need to have a criminal defense attorney that can dig in and determine whether it is actually rising to that level of strangulation to warrant a felony charge. Or whether this is a third degree assault or even a harassment that was wrongly charged because someone gave a keyword like neck.
Alexis Austin Litle · What's The Difference Between 3rd Degree Assault And Strangulation?? // Right Law Group #coloradoWatch clip ↗
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Frequently asked questions

5 Key Questions to Ask Your Assault Lawyer

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Facing assault charges in Colorado can be a daunting experience. The legal complexities and potential penalties involved can be overwhelming."

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Another example of seconddegree assault would be using a deadly weapon and causing bodily injury to somebody.

Alexis explains: "Another example of seconddegree assault would be using a deadly weapon and causing bodily injury to somebody. So if you and Colorado allows for quite a wide range of things to be considered deadly weapons. For instance, a pipe, something that we wouldn't necessarily think as a deadly weapon could be a deadly weapon. Obviously, there's knives, pistols, things along those lines. So if it's using a deadly weapon to in a resulting in a bodily injury, then you you are potentially going to be facing a crime of seconddegree assault."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
Are you facing an aggravated assault charge?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "It is not unusual for people to get into fights at some point in their lives. Those fights may occur as children on a playground, and the repercussions may be little more than a time-out or grounding."

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Assault and Battery

Right Law Group's guide explains: "In Colorado, various actions fall under the broad category of “assault,” ranging from unwanted physical contact to severe offenses such as first-degree assault, second-degree assault,, and vehicular assault."

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Assault in the second degree, there's a variety of different levels in that.

Alexis explains: "Assault in the second degree, there's a variety of different levels in that. For instance, assault can be with intent to cause bodily injury. You cause serious bodily injury. So, take the prior example of punching somebody in the face. You end up breaking a a nose. That's going to be a secondderee assault. That escalates from a class one misdemeanor to a class 4 felony. And uh potential DOC sentence on that is going to be the the max level uh penalty."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
Colorado allows for quite a wide range of things to be considered deadly weapons.

Alexis explains: "Colorado allows for quite a wide range of things to be considered deadly weapons. For instance, a pipe, something that we wouldn't necessarily think as a deadly weapon could be a deadly weapon."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
Could this case cost me my job?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "In addition to fines and jail time, being convicted of a felony can have severe lifelong consequences. Felons can't buy or carry guns and are usually restricted from holding specific jobs, like teaching or working as an attorney or police officer."

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How are First Degree Assault cases handled in the Combined Court?

First Degree Assault cases in Englewood are handled by the Arapahoe County Combined Court, which sits in the 18th Judicial District. As a combined court, it hears both county-court and district-court matters.

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How are Menacing cases handled in the Combined Court?

Menacing cases in Arapahoe County are handled by the Arapahoe County Combined Court, which sits in the 18th Judicial District. As a combined court, it hears both county-court and district-court matters.

Source · Court and DA info
How are Second Degree Assault cases handled in the Combined Court?

Second Degree Assault cases in Englewood are handled by the Arapahoe County Combined Court, which sits in the 18th Judicial District. As a combined court, it hears both county-court and district-court matters.

Source · Court and DA info
How are Third Degree Assault cases handled in the Combined Court?

Third Degree Assault cases in Aurora are handled by the Arapahoe County Combined Court, which sits in the 18th Judicial District. As a combined court, it hears both county-court and district-court matters.

Source · Court and DA info
How are Vehicular Assault cases handled in the Combined Court?

Vehicular Assault cases in Centennial are handled by the Arapahoe County Combined Court, which sits in the 18th Judicial District. As a combined court, it hears both county-court and district-court matters.

Source · Court and DA info
If he lied to the cops about being scared and wasn't actually afraid of me, doesn't that mean there's no real crime here?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "However, if you did not commit a physical act of violence, the prosecutor must show that your threats put the victim in reasonable fear that you might hurt them."

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If I get convicted as a felon, am I going to lose my guns and my right to ever buy guns again?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Felons can't buy or carry guns and are usually restricted from holding specific jobs, like teaching or working as an attorney or police officer."

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If police searched my car and found no gun, how can they still charge me with menacing?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "This offense can involve verbal threats, physical gestures, or the display of a weapon. If a person threatens someone without using a deadly weapon or implying its presence, the charge is typically a Class 3 misdemeanor."

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Is it even worth getting a lawyer for this?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "If you're facing vehicular assault charges, it's crucial to seek legal representation immediately to protect your future."

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Is Making a Threat Illegal? How Far is Too Far?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Many people have made joking or hyperbolic statements about wanting to hurt someone else. Usually, everyone present knows it’s a joke, and the situation ends there."

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Is There a Difference Between Assault and Battery in Colorado?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "In Colorado, the terms “assault” and “battery” are not interchangeable. In fact, Colorado doesn’t have a specific battery charge."

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Is this going to end up as a felony on my record? Nobody told me when they charged me that it could be that serious.

Right Law Group's guide explains: "This charge is a Class 4 felony in cases involving DUI and a Class 5 felony for reckless driving without intoxication. The penalties for vehicular assault can be severe, with significant prison time, fines, and mandatory restitution to victims. A conviction can also result in the suspension of your driver's license and a permanent mark on your criminal record, making it essential to work with an experienced defense attorney who understands Colorado's legal system."

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Assault Lawyer

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Being charged with assault in Littleton can carry serious criminal consequences. Depending on the facts of the case, prosecutors may pursue misdemeanor or felony assault charges under Colorado law."

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Misdemeanor assault is going to be pretty minor injuries.

Alexis explains: "Misdemeanor assault is going to be pretty minor injuries. So, the the most common charge we see when it comes to assault in the third degree, a class one misdemeanor, is knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another. Bodily injury in Colorado can be anything from a scrape, a cut to somebody just saying, "I felt pain." That would be an example would be if you punch somebody in the face and they get a scratch. That's going to be assault in the third degree."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
So for strangulation to be actually charged under the Criminal Code, there has to be that underlying assault.

Alexis explains: "So for strangulation to be actually charged under the Criminal Code, there has to be that underlying assault. But then the act that is done has to be an act. Sometimes people say choking, but it's actually strangling putting your hands around another person or causing something to cut off airflow to another person."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
That escalates from a class one misdemeanor to a class 4 felony.

Alexis explains: "That escalates from a class one misdemeanor to a class 4 felony. And uh potential DOC sentence on that is going to be the the max level uh penalty."

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
The three different degrees of assault under Colorado law

Right Law Group's guide explains: "If you or a loved one have been accused of assault in Colorado, you need a nuanced understanding of the various charges classified under state law in order to mount the strongest legal defense."

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Each answer links directly to the source where a Right Law Group attorney addressed this question.

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