Domestic Violence Defense Attorney in Castle Rock, Colorado

Colorado has continued to see an increase in domestic violence charges over the last five years, with over 21,000 victims in 2021 alone according to data put out by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. That said, working in the legal profession for nearly 30 years, we know that not all cases are as cut and dry as they may seem. Furthermore, regardless of guilt or innocence, at the Law Office of Lori Crystal, LLC we firmly believe that everyone deserves to have quality legal representation to ensure their rights are upheld.  

If you’d like to learn more about how to defend against a domestic violence charge, give us a call today to schedule a consultation. From our offices in Castle Rock, Colorado, we’re able to help clients in Parker, Lone Tree, Highland Ranch, Larkspur, Castle Pines, Franktown, Elizabeth, Kiowa, and Centennial. 

Domestic Violence in Colorado 

There are many charges that can fall under the umbrella term of “domestic violence” (also referred to as “intimate partner abuse”). At their core, however, these are violent incidents or threats that occur between individuals who are in a familial or social relationship. This could include: 

• a current or former spouse 

• an intimate partner, both current or former 

• a partner with whom you share a child

• a child 

• a parent  

• a sibling 

Domestic violence itself can refer to acts such as: 

1. Emotional and verbal abuse: This can include threatening, bullying, and intimidation. 

2. Physical abuse: Physical abuse includes charges like domestic battery, domestic assault, physical assault against a family member, using a weapon against a family member, or even murder.   

3. Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse charges could include rape, sexual assault, or sex trafficking.  

4. Financial abuse: Harming a partner so they can’t go to work, or controlling their money. 

5. Stalking: This includes both verbal and physical harassment. 

6. Technological abuse: Technological abuse can include hacking into a partner’s email and personal accounts, monitoring their social media accounts, using tracking devices, or demanding to know passwords for private accounts. 

State law does make a distinction between domestic violence and domestic abuse. It defines an “abuse” charge as abuse or aggression with someone you have or has had an intimate relationship with and can also include threats of abuse to children and pets. It defines a “violence” charge as violence or threatened violence and can include acts toward children, pets, and property. 
 
Colorado law does not stipulate criminal punishment for some of these acts such as emotional abuse, but you may be able to go through civil legal channels to address this. Anytime you are feeling abused or unsafe in a relationship, be it with a partner, spouse, or parent, you should contact someone who can help, and reaching out to a skilled and compassionate criminal defense attorney can often be a good first step. 

Possible Consequences and Penalties 

The possible consequences of a domestic violence or assault conviction can be far-reaching, and it’s in your best interest to do everything you can to minimize these when possible. Penalties can include: 

• jail or prison time; 

• paying fines or restitution; 

• losing your legal right to purchase, carry, or own firearms; 

• being required to attend anger management classes; 

• losing your parenting privileges or being forced to give up custody of your children; 

• potentially being deported if you’re currently in the country undocumented; and, 

• being required to add your name to the National Sex Offender Registry if you’re convicted of a sex-related crime. 

Possible Defenses 

It’s important to point out that even if you feel you’re guilty of the charges you’re facing, it’s still important to obtain qualified legal counsel. Remember, your attorney is not here to judge you or your actions; they are here to ensure your civil rights are represented and that you get a fair trial. A skilled attorney will work to have your sentence reduced or offer you an alternative to jail. The key is forming a strong defense based on the facts which will look different for every defendant.  

In some cases, we may be able to argue that you were falsely accused of the crime. It could be that you were nowhere near the victim when the crime was committed and they only accused you as an act of revenge or malice. Or, the victim may have you confused for someone else. 

Another defense strategy would be to claim you were acting in self-defense. With this approach, it may be true that you committed acts of violence against the other person, but if it can be shown that they were the one who attacked you first you may be able to prove you were only trying to defend yourself from real or perceived threats. 

Finally, you may also want to use a lack of intent defense which essentially means that whatever violent acts took place, they were accidental and you had no intention of harming the other person.