What can you expect if facing assault charges in Colorado?

Facing criminal charges of any kind is daunting. If charged with assault, you may be unsure of what exactly what that means or what kind of penalties you could be facing. Assault crimes range in severity, and it is beneficial for your defense to know what you are up against and how you can fight back.

From minor harassment to felony assault, you would be wise to fight the charges against you with a carefully prepared and thoughtful defense. Regardless of the prosecution’s case, you are entitled to a presumption of innocence and to challenge any evidence against you. It is prudent to take your case seriously and move forward with preparing an effective defense as soon as possible after your arrest.

Types of assault in Colorado

Colorado assault laws are tough. Assault charges usually follow an incident in which someone suffers harm due to the reckless or intentional actions of another person. There are varying degrees of assault and different types of assault charges in situations involving the assault of a disabled person or an elderly person. The elements and penalties for the different degrees of assault are as follows:

• First-degree assault – This requires evidence that a person intended to cause serious bodily injury to another. If convicted, a defendant could face fines up to $750,000 and face as many as 24 years behind bars.
• Second-degree assault – For this charge, there is evidence a person intended to cause injury or acted recklessly, ultimately causing injury to another. Conviction can result in more than 10 years in prison and fines as much as $500,000.
• Third-degree assault – This charge is a misdemeanor, resulting from an incident in which a person was reckless or negligent, ultimately resulting in harm to another person.

It is difficult to determine a person’s intent, and you can challenge the evidence brought against you that allegedly proves your intent during the incident. Perhaps you acted out of self-defense or you were facing extreme duress at the time. A complete evaluation of your situation can determine the best direction for your defense strategy.

Discover your defense options

You can learn more about your defense options by acting quickly after your arrest to seek help and protect your rights. Assault charges are serious, and a conviction can leave a mark on your criminal record that can affect your future opportunities and various other aspects of your life. Your long-term interests and personal freedoms are on the line, and it is prudent to take immediate steps to learn how you can develop the right strategy to fight back against any type of assault charge.