Denver Domestic Violence Lawyer

Denver Domestic
Violence Lawyer

Domestic violence charges in Denver and throughout Colorado are typically pursued vigorously by the state. While convicted individuals can face significant time behind bars, as well as fines, a domestic violence charge or conviction also brings with it serious collateral damage to an individual’s life, even if they have been wrongfully accused. Fortunately, individuals charged with a domestic violence crime can turn to an advocate who will fight for them to the end: a Denver domestic violence defense lawyer.

Why Choose Us?

A Track Record of Client Wins

Denver domestic violence defense lawyer Kevin Cahill believes in fighting for the dignity, respect, and freedom of his firm’s clients. When you hire Attorney Cahill and his team, you get the benefit of working with a firm with:

  • Experience representing thousands of defendants
  • Round-the-clock availability
  • Over a decade of experience fighting for defendants
  • Free consultations for potential clients.

Attorney Cahill and his team have a relentless drive to secure the most optimal outcome for each client and are ready to review your case.

Free Consultation

If you have been charged with a domestic violence crime, the Law Office of Kevin Cahill can provide you with the defense that you deserve. Call 720-548-2990 to schedule a free consultation on your charges and learn how Attorney Cahill and his team may be able to help you fight them.

Understanding Domestic Violence Charges in Denver

Domestic violence in Colorado refers to acts or threats of acts of violence between two people who are or who have previously been in an intimate relationship. For example, domestic violence can legally occur within the following types of relationships:

  • Spouses
  • Former spouses
  • Former and present unmarried couples
  • Parents of the same child
  • Roommates.

For charges involving parents, the parents need not have lived together at any time in order for a domestic violence charge to stick.

Domestic violence charges in Colorado encompass a variety of acts between various parties. Additionally, domestic violence is not a separate statutory charge as it is in many other states. Instead, in Colorado, domestic violence is a type of enhancement or aggravating factor that increases the seriousness and penalties of a statutory crime.

As an enhancement or aggravating factor, domestic violence charges are often attached to the following crimes:

  • Assault
  • Stalking
  • Harassment
  • Child abuse
  • Elder abuse
  • Sexual assault
  • Violation of a restraining order.

When called to the scene of a possible domestic violence incident, police are under a mandatory arrest policy that requires them to make an arrest if they have probable cause to do so. To guide them, officers look for indicators such as intimidation, coercion, and punishment. In situations like these, individuals may find it crucial to seek legal advice from a Denver assault lawyer who can provide assistance and guidance according to the specific circumstances.

As you might imagine, many unreasonable arrests occur and lead to domestic violence charges. But an adept lawyer for domestic violence can dismantle an unreasonable case and work to free their client.

If you have been charged with domestic violence, the sooner you get an experienced lawyer involved, the better. Contact the Law Office of Kevin Cahill at 720-548-2990 for a free consultation and case review to get started today.

Domestic Violence Charge Penalties

Domestic violence charges enhance the penalties of the underlying crime. In many domestic violence cases involving misdemeanors, the defendant can often escape time behind bars. However, felony crimes with a domestic violence enhancement typically lead to prison time.

Regardless of the underlying crime, a fourth conviction with a domestic violence enhancement leads to the designation of habitual domestic violence offender, which is a class 5 felony requiring one to three years in the state penitentiary and fines between $1,000 and $100,000.

Automatic Protection Order

Being charged with domestic violence in Colorado results in an automatic protection order against the accused. The protection order can last all the way through sentencing and requires that the defendant avoid the accuser and refrain from drinking alcohol. The accused may also have to surrender their firearms to law enforcement. In certain cases, an accused’s attorney can seek to have the protection order amended.

Violation of a domestic violence protection order is a class 1 misdemeanor, which calls for up to 364 days behind bars and up to $1,000 in fines.

Collateral Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction

The criminal consequences of a domestic violence conviction are severe but are not the only negative repercussions to deal with. A domestic violence conviction can cause serious problems for convicted individuals, including issues with:

  • Finding or retaining employment
  • Acquiring or retaining a professional license
  • Parenting and child custody rights
  • Finding or keeping housing.

A conviction will also lead to a loss of voting rights, the right to bear firearms, and other important rights. Similarly, domestic violence charges can affect immigration status and typically lead to deportation upon a conviction.

An effective defense is crucial to avoiding the collateral consequences of a domestic violence conviction. You can give yourself the best chance of avoiding these repercussions by turning to an experienced Denver domestic violence lawyer for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may have many questions about domestic violence and Colorado law. Take a look at these frequently asked domestic violence questions.

Yes. To get the most favorable outcome in your case, you need a Denver domestic violence defense lawyer representing you. Additionally, it is essential that you hire an attorney as soon after your arrest as possible. The earlier your attorney gets to work on your case, the more likely it is that the outcome will be favorable.

Domestic violence lawyers may charge a flat rate or by the hour for their services. The more complex your case, the more the flat rate will be and the more hours your attorney will have to put in. The severity of the charge plays into how much a case might cost as well. For example, misdemeanor charges cost less to defend than felony charges. In other words, the unique details of your case determine how much an attorney will charge to take it on. For a more accurate range, give our team a call to set up a free consultation.

Prosecutors have a limited amount of time to file domestic violence enhancement charges. Since domestic violence is not an actual charge but an enhancement, the prosecutor follows the statutes of limitations for the specific charges to be enhanced. For example, if a person is accused of felony assault of a spouse, the state will abide by the statute of limitations for felonies in the state, which is typically no more than three years for all but the most serious sexual and violent crimes and certain crimes against children. For misdemeanors, the statute of limitations is typically no more than 18 months. It’s crucial for individuals facing such accusations to seek timely legal counsel from a skilled Denver assault lawyer to navigate the complexities of these cases and ensure their rights are protected. Keep in mind that being arrested for a crime does not stop the statute of limitations from running. After an arrest, the prosecutor must still file charges of some sort to beat the statute of limitations.

Yes. Judges must take domestic violence convictions and pending charges into account when making custody decisions. Unfortunately, those who have domestic violence charges typically have a tough time winning custody battles. The only real solution to this problem can be to hire a seasoned domestic violence defense lawyer to mitigate the charges.

It is often the case that a domestic violence accuser recants their story or decides to drop the case. But once a domestic violence arrest takes place in Colorado, the state must continue with the case, regardless of what the alleged victim says or does. The case cannot be dismissed or dropped unless the prosecutor cannot reasonably prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. Sadly, many alleged domestic violence victims invent or exaggerate in the heat of the moment, leading to unreasonable arrests, headaches, and financial setbacks for others. Hope, however, lies in the services of an experienced domestic violence defense lawyer who can fight to discredit untrue and exaggerated allegations against their clients.

More questions? The Law Office of Kevin Cahill is here to help. Call us anytime for the answers you are looking for.

Speak With a Denver Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Today

Get Protection

Domestic violence criminal charges can wreak havoc on many aspects of your life, including work, school, and your personal affairs. These types of charges may arise out of simple misunderstandings or outright lies. Regardless of the cause, defendants need a capable criminal defense attorney to achieve the most optimal outcomes.

You deserve a robust defense to your domestic violence charges. If you have been arrested or charged with domestic violence, the team at the Law Offices of Kevin Cahill is ready to review your case. Call 720-548-2990 to speak with a skilled lawyer for domestic violence today.

Denver CO Defense Lawyer Kevin Cahill

ATTORNEY KEVIN CAHILL

Denver Defense Lawyer Kevin Cahill never assumes that your case is a lost cause. He is a confident and fearless litigator who refuses to back down when he is fighting to protect the rights of his clients. Regardless of whether you are facing a felony or a misdemeanor, it is vital that you take the charges seriously and seek out legal representation as soon as possible so you can start building your defense. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]

  • Top Rated Criminal Defense Lawyer
  • BBB A+ Rated
  • Colorado Bar Assoc
  • College DUI Defense