Colorado Springs Violent Crime Defense Attorneys
Like many other states, Colorado law provides harsher punishments for violent crimes, also known as crimes of violence. These offenses involve the use of a deadly weapon, cause death or serious bodily injuries, or involve threats of force or bodily injuries. Examples include physical assault, robbery, and kidnapping.
Because violent crimes undercut a community’s sense of safety, police and prosecutors work hard and dedicate extensive resources to seeking convictions in these cases. If you have been charged with a violent crime in Colorado Springs, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer at your side who will aggressively protect your rights and your future.
The Colorado Springs criminal defense attorneys at Peakstone Law Group are ready to review your situation and advise you about your best legal options. Contact us now for a free and confidential consultation with an experienced attorney.
The Importance of Legal Representation for Violent Crime Charges
The stakes are high when you have been charged with a crime of violence, including the possibility of serving an extensive prison sentence. As a former prosecutor, founding attorney Patterson Weaver knows how violent crimes are investigated and prosecuted in Colorado. At Peakstone Law Group, our criminal defense lawyers can use that insider’s perspective to help you develop an effective defense and pursue the best possible outcome.
Among our successful results for clients is a not guilty verdict and a sealed record in a case involving alleged threats. Our client faced a felony violent crime charge for allegedly threatening her husband with a handgun during an argument. We conducted a far more thorough investigation than the police or prosecutors, and the case went to trial. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury returned a not guilty verdict.
Read our client testimonials to find out more about previous clients’ experiences working with our law firm. For example, Brett wrote, “Patterson was a pleasure to deal with and was able to provide me the best possible outcome for my case. Patterson and his team are fantastic! Patterson’s outstanding character and intellect has made him one of the very best Attorneys in the Pikes Peak Region.”
Types of Violent Crimes in Colorado Springs
Under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-406, a crime of violence refers to specific crimes that involve the use or possession and threatened use of a deadly weapon or crimes that cause serious bodily injury or death to any other person.
Some examples of crime of violence offenses include:
- First- or second-degree assault
- Kidnapping
- Aggravated robbery
- First-degree arson
- First-degree burglary
- Escape
- Criminal extortion
- First- or second-degree unlawful termination of pregnancy
- Any crime against an at-risk adult or child
Penalties for Violent Crime Convictions in Colorado
A violent crime conviction carries mandatory enhanced penalties under C.R.S. § 18-1.3-406. Specifically, you can be sentenced to a term that ranges from the midpoint of the presumptive range for the offense to a term that is twice the maximum of the presumptive range. In practical terms, that means that you could face a prison term of:
- 1.5-4 years – Class 6 felony
- 2.5-8 years – Class 5 felony
- 5-16 years – Class 4 felony
- 10-32 years – Class 3 felony
- 16-48 years – Class 2 felony
Additionally, if you are convicted of multiple violent crimes that arose from the same incident, you must serve those sentences back-to-back or consecutively, and not at the same time or concurrently.
Potential Defense Strategies in Colorado Violent Crime Cases
If you face a violent crime charge in Colorado Springs, you will need to pursue all options available to you for fighting the charge. With help from our knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to get your charge dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge with much less severe penalties. Potential legal defenses may include:
- Unlawfully obtained evidence — Evidence and statements cannot be used against you if law enforcement officers obtained them in violation of your constitutional rights. If the evidence is suppressed, there may not be sufficient evidence for the prosecutor to obtain a conviction.
- Eyewitness misidentification — Fear, exposure to a weapon, being of a different race, and the suspect’s wearing of a hat or mask can be factors that lead a person to misidentify a suspect in a violent crime.
- Consent — Under certain circumstances, a victim may have consented to the violence. For instance, the victim may have willingly entered into a fight.
- Self-defense or defense of others — Under Colorado law, it is lawful to use a reasonable degree of force to protect yourself or others from the imminent threat of great bodily injury or death, including the use of deadly force.
- Lack of evidence — If the prosecution fails to present evidence that sufficiently supports the charge against you, the case must be dismissed.
The Legal Process for Violent Crime Cases in Colorado
If you are charged with a violent crime in Colorado Springs, the legal process may move quickly. It is crucial to work with a lawyer who will guide you through each stage and make sure your rights are protected as you navigate the legal system.
At a key point in the process, you may receive an offer to enter a guilty or no contest plea in exchange for your violent crime being reduced to a lesser charge with a lesser sentence. When you work with Peakstone Law Group, we will make sure your case has been thoroughly investigated, all your potential defenses have been explored, and you have a solid understanding of your case so you can make a fully informed decision.
If your case goes to trial, our highly experienced criminal defense attorneys will be prepared to aggressively challenge the prosecution’s case and present a compelling defense on your behalf.
Choosing the Right Violent Crime Defense Attorney in Colorado Springs, CO
If you are facing violent criminal charges in Colorado Springs, do not do anything without first consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Peakstone Law Group, we can help you understand the possible consequences you face and pursue the best possible defense strategy.
Contact us today to get started with a free initial consultation with our Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyers.