Colorado Springs Assault Lawyer Experienced in Defending Against Assault Charges
There are numerous types of assault charges in Colorado separated by severity, each with its own punishable fines and potential of varying jail time. Regardless of the specifics of your particular case, assault charges should be taken very seriously. Building a criminal defense with an experienced assault attorney is your best bet for staying out of prison.
Assault can be a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the severity of the crime in the eyes of the law. A person facing assault charges needs to understand that the prosecutor will often seek a felony conviction and prison time if the evidence available to be presented at trial supports it.
A law firm like Joyner Law is experienced in defending the rights of a person accused of assault, unlawful contact, and harassment. Your assault attorney can help build a case that could illuminate that the act was done in self-defense, form a favorable plea agreement, or help you avoid severe felony charges.
How Can an Assault Lawyer Defend My Rights?
Your Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer will take the facts of your particular case and build a defense that best protects the accused from trial, extreme financial penalties, and harsh punishments under the weight of the law.
The defense may involve proving that the accused was acting in self-defense, that the unlawful contact was accidental, or that the defendant was falsely accused. With a good defense or a successful plea bargain, the person up on assault charges could see charges dropped, their criminal record made clean, see a felony charge replaced by misdemeanor charges, or simply receive probation in lieu of jail or prison time.
What If I’m Accused of First-Degree Assault?
First-degree assault is a felony. First-degree assault is commonly charged when the accused intended or otherwise caused serious bodily injury and/or disfigurement, brought harm to a peace officer, or used a deadly weapon (such as a gun, knife, and, in some cases, a car, which can bring additional charges of a vehicular assault).
If a person is found guilty of knowingly committing acts that show indifference to human life, which intend or result in severe injury, they may face a severe mandatory prison sentence that comes with a first-degree assault charge or second-degree assault charge.
First-degree assault can result in decades spent in a Colorado state prison and/or huge fines. Your criminal defense is of utmost importance to safeguarding your basic freedoms.
What if I’m Charged with Second-Degree Assault Charges?
If you’ve been charged with second-degree assault in Colorado, it’s important to understand what you’re facing and what your options are. Second-degree assault is a serious offense, and if convicted, you could be facing significant penalties.
Second-degree assault is defined as an intentional, unlawful application of physical force to another person that causes serious bodily injury. It’s important to note that this charge does not require the use of a weapon – simply causing serious bodily injury with your hands or feet can be enough to be charged with second-degree assault.
If you’ve been charged with second-degree assault, it’s important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in El Paso County as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to review the facts of your case and help you understand your options. Contacting an attorney early on in the process can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
What If I’m Facing Third-Degree Assault Charges?
Third-degree assault charges are filed when there was no serious injury, and the injury was caused knowingly or as a result of recklessness. Third-degree assault can also be charged if you accidentally injure someone with a weapon as a result of criminal negligence. Regardless of intent, an act that causes bodily injury to another person can be charged as third-degree assault, and come with the accompanying consequences.
Different factors can affect sentencing, including whether one has a criminal record with previous assault crimes that could suggest this is a frequently occurring event for the person. If the third-degree assault is categorized as domestic violence, the defendant may face extra consequences such as the loss of the right to firearm ownership. A conviction for even a misdemeanor third-degree assault in Colorado will prevent you from purchasing a firearm in Colorado for five years.
Your assault attorney may try to prove lack of criminal intent, that your actions were not reckless or negligent, that the act came in self-defense, or that you were falsely accused.
Which Law Firm Should I Hire for My Criminal Defense?
Whether you are accused of first-degree assault that has caused serious bodily injury or third-degree assault which is the result of a small scuffle or an unfortunate accident, the threat to your future is very real. It may become more difficult for you to secure housing or employment with an assault case on your criminal record.
A prosecution will try to prove that a person knowingly hurt another individual, in search of the harshest sentencing. The particulars of your assault case are important and deserving of aggressive legal representation.
Joyner Law is experienced in defending the citizens of Colorado charged with assault. Do not face your first-degree assault charges alone. Do not underestimate the danger to your freedom that even misdemeanor assault charges carry. Call Joyner Law today at (719) 294-0566 to learn more about the criminal defense representation you deserve.