Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer for Violent Crime Charges in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, & Beyond
Facing a violent crime charge in Colorado puts your freedom, your record, and your future at risk. When you need a Denver, Colorado violent crimes lawyer, the law firm you choose can shape what comes next. The attorneys at WeedenLaw have extensive experience defending clients against Colorado criminal charges in Denver, Lakewood, Aurora, and surrounding areas.
A charge does not equal a conviction. At WeedenLaw, we will fight to get charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed by building a defense grounded in the facts of your case. In such a high-stakes situation, don’t leave anything to chance. Schedule a free consultation with our Colorado criminal defense lawyers. Call WeedenLaw today at (720) 307-4330 or contact us online to talk about your situation.
What are Considered Violent Crimes?
Colorado law classifies a wide range of criminal activity under the umbrella of violent crimes. These include acts where one person physically harms another, uses threats of violence, or puts someone’s safety at risk with a weapon.
A victim does not have to suffer bodily harm for a charge to apply. The district attorney only needs to show that the perpetrator made a threat. That means you can face a felony conviction in Colorado without ever making physical contact with another person. WeedenLaw’s Denver criminal defense lawyers will review your charges and help you understand your options.
Common Violent Crime Charges in Colorado
Prosecutors in Colorado handle a broad range of violent crime cases every year across the state. The most common charges filed are homicide, assault, domestic violence, and kidnapping. When a deadly weapon is involved, crimes otherwise considered non-violent can qualify as violent crimes.
First-Degree Murder & Second-Degree Murder
State law breaks unlawful killing into several categories, each with different penalties. First-degree murder involves a planned, intentional act of killing someone else. When a death occurs without premeditation but with intent to cause harm, this is classified as second-degree murder in Colorado. Manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide cover situations where a death was not planned and usually not intended. Vehicular homicide falls under this category when a driver causes a death through impaired or reckless driving.
If prosecutors have accused you of killing another person, you need a law firm like WeedenLaw. Our experienced Denver homicide lawyers will explain state law, exactly what charge you face, and what it means for your case.
Assault & Battery
Colorado treats violent assaults as serious offenses with penalties that increase based on the severity of the act. First-degree assault involves intentionally causing serious bodily injury or knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a grave risk of death. Attacks with a deadly weapon or against a protected person, like a police officer, would also be considered first-degree assault. Second-degree assault charges result from either a lower level of harm, recklessly causing serious injury, or knowingly preventing certain individuals from fulfilling their duty.
Battery, or menacing, refers to knowingly placing or attempting to place another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Understanding the difference between these assault and battery charges matters when building your defense. To learn how the law applies to your situation, contact a Colorado assault and battery attorney about your case.
Sexual Assault & Rape
A conviction for sexual assault or rape can follow you for the rest of your life. Penalties include prison time, heavy fines, and mandatory sex offender registration. Registering as a sex offender affects where you can live and work, and other aspects of daily life.
The specific charges filed depend on factors like the age of the victim, the use of force, and whether serious bodily harm or injury occurred. WeedlenLaw’s sex crime lawyers in Denver can review the specific charges against you and begin building your defense.
Aggravated Robbery
Taking property by force, threat, or intimidation is robbery. This theft charge can turn into something far more serious under certain circumstances. Aggravated robbery in Colorado happens when the perpetrator or their confederate is armed with a weapon with the intent to kill, maim, or wound anyone if met with resistance. Striking another with a weapon or using the weapon to put another in reasonable fear of death or bodily injury also qualifies for aggravated charges. Our Colorado robbery attorneys will protect your rights by identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Domestic Violence-Related Charges
Accusations of domestic violence can turn your personal life into a legal battle fast. Colorado law defines domestic violence broadly, covering acts of intimidation, harassment, and threats between people with a specific relationship. This includes family, household members, and intimate relationships. Courts in Colorado take steps to protect alleged victims quickly, which can result in protective orders that restrict where you go and who you contact. Restrictions like that impact your access to your home, your children, and your workplace. A compassionate Denver domestic violence lawyer can help you understand what these charges mean and what options you have.
Illegal Gun & Weapons Offenses
Weapons charges in Colorado can arise even when no violence occurred. Carrying a deadly weapon without proper authorization, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, or brandishing a weapon during another crime can all lead to serious charges. Each of these situations carries its own set of penalties under Colorado law. WeedenLaw’s weapon and gun crime lawyers in Denver will review every detail of your case to identify the strongest path forward.
Penalties for Violent Crimes in CO
Colorado reserves its harshest penalties for violent felony convictions. The specific punishment depends on the circumstances of the case, but the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Those accused of violent crimes face several possible penalties, which may include:
- Prison time ranging from years to decades, or even life behind bars
- Fines that vary based on the severity of the offense and the circumstances of the case
- Restitution payments to cover a victim’s medical bills and other related expenses
- Probation, which courts can impose alongside or instead of prison time and fines
A violent felony conviction will impact all parts of your life forever. The financial, personal, and professional consequences follow you long after you serve your sentence.
What Happens to Minors Who Commit Violent Crimes?
The juvenile justice system in Colorado focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Courts prefer to keep minors in their homes when possible. A judge pairs them with treatment and guidance that serves both the child’s welfare and the community. That approach changes when the charges are serious. Some offenses can result in placement with the Department of Youth Corrections. Courts may also order placement with social services, a medical facility, or a mandatory treatment program.
State law allows prosecutors to try minors as young as 12 as adults in certain cases. The most common situations where this happens are murder and other serious violent offenses. A conviction in adult court holds adult penalties, including significant prison time. Juveniles convicted as adults may qualify for the Youthful Offender System. This program prepares young people aged 14 to 21 to reenter society productively. If they complete the program, it can result in a suspended sentence. Our Denver juvenile defense attorneys protect your child’s future from the start.
Treatment of Juvenile Records
In most cases, juvenile records are private. The Colorado criminal justice system limits access to these records. This allows only the juvenile, their parents, a guardian ad litem, their attorney of record, and certain court and law enforcement officials to view them. That protection exists to give young people a chance to move forward without a public record following them.
If a minor commits a violent felony and is charged as an adult, the records may be public. In those situations, sealing or expunging the record becomes especially important. A Denver, Colorado expungement attorney will help determine whether your child qualifies and help protect their future.
The Importance of Hiring a Skilled & Experienced Colorado Violent Crimes Attorney
While you have the option to secure representation from a Colorado state public defender when facing criminal accusations, it is often advisable to seek help from a private practice. A violent crime charge in Colorado demands more than a basic legal response. The prosecution will build its case aggressively, and you need a criminal defense lawyer who will do the same on your behalf. When our team represents clients, we give them the personal attention they deserve. We will examine the evidence and build the strongest defense possible for your case.
Why Jeff Weeden is a Violent Crimes Attorney Denver Residents Trust
Not every attorney takes a case to trial when things get tough. Jeff Weeden is an experienced trial lawyer. He knows how the other side builds its case, and he uses that knowledge to challenge the prosecution at every turn. From pretrial motions to standing before a jury, Denver violent crimes attorney Jeff Weeden fights for his clients with focus and thorough preparation.
Potential Defenses to Colorado Violent Crime Charges
Every case is different, and the right defense depends on the facts. Some of the most common defenses used in Denver violent crime cases include:
- Alibi: Shows that you were somewhere else when the crime occurred
- Self-Defense: Allows a person to use reasonable force to protect themselves or others from harm
- Defense of Others: This follows many of the same rules as self-defense, but focuses on protecting someone else
- Defense of Property: Keep in mind, the law only permits deadly force in situations involving arson in Colorado
- False Accusation: Challenging the credibility of the claims made against you
- Coerced Confession: You were pressured into making a statement by law enforcement
- Entrapment: Police induced you to commit a crime you would not have otherwise committed
- Duress: You committed the act due to threat or force
- An Insanity Argument: Arguing that a mental condition prevented you from understanding your actions
- Double Jeopardy: You cannot be tried twice for the same offense
No individual defense works for every situation. A criminal defense lawyer at WeedenLaw will determine which approach gives you the strongest chance in the Colorado criminal justice system.
Charged With a Violent Crime in CO? Call a Denver Defense Attorney at WeedenLaw Today
When violence-related charges turn your life upside down, it matters who you call next. The Denver, Colorado violent crimes lawyers at WeedenLaw fight for people in exactly this situation. We take the time to understand your case, give you a clear review of your options, and start building your defense. Jeff Weeden offers a free initial consultation for clients across Denver, Lakewood, and the surrounding areas.
Call WeedenLaw today at (720) 307-4330 or contact us online to take the first step toward protecting your future.
