Violent Crimes

violence crimes defense lawyer in DenverAlthough Denver is one of the best places to live in the country, the city has its share of violent crime, which involves the use, or merely the threat, of violence or force. A conviction can lead to harsh penalties, including jail or prison time, fines and probation. If you have been charged with a violent crime, it is essential to have proper legal representation by hiring a Denver violent crime defense attorney.

The Blair Law Office has extensive experience defending clients facing charges of a variety of violent crimes, including:

  • Assault
  • Menacing
  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Kidnapping

Assault

Assault involves knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another individual. These are serious criminal charges that can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies and there are three classifications of assault in Colorado:

  • First Degree Assault – the intentional infliction of serious bodily harm on another person, peace officer or other protected employee, by the use or threat of use of a deadly weapon, charged as a Class 5 or Class 3 felony, depending on the circumstances
  • Second Degree Assault – the intentional or reckless infliction of bodily injury on another person, peace officer or other protected employee by the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous substance, charged as a Class 6 or Class 4 felony
  • Third Degree Assault – the knowing, reckless, or criminally negligent infliction of bodily harm on another person by the use of a deadly weapon, or threatening, annoying, harassing, or injuring a peace officer with a dangerous substance, charged as a Class1 misdemeanor, but penalties are elevated if the crime involves a peace officer or protected employee

Menacing

Menacing occurs when a person knowingly make threats or takes physical action that causes another individual to fear imminent serious bodily injury. Menacing is a class 3 misdemeanor, but charges are elevated to a class 5 felony if:

  • the crime involves the use of a deadly weapon or any article is used in a way that would cause a person to reasonably believe it was a deadly weapon
  • the accused claimed, verbally or otherwise, that he or she was armed with a deadly weapon

Robbery

There are two classifications of robbery in Colorado, simple robbery and aggravated robbery:

  • Simple Robbery  – taking of something of value from an individual by the use of force, threats or intimidation, a Class 4 felony
  • Aggravated Robbery – taking of something of value that involves the presence of a deadly weapon, a Class 3 Felony

Burglary

There are three degrees of burglary in Colorado:

First Degree Burglary

This occurs when a person enters a building with the intent to commit a crime, during which the accused assaults or threatens anyone, is armed with or uses a weapon, or is armed with an explosive. First degree burglary is a class 3 felony.

Second Degree Burglary

A person commits this crime by knowingly breaking into an entrance or unlawfully entering or remaining in a building or occupied structure with the intent to commit a crime. Second degree burglary is a class 4 felony unless it occurs in a dwelling or involves the theft of a controlled substance legally kept in the premises, in which case it is a class 3 felony.

Third Degree Burglary

This involves a person forcing his or her way into a container such as a vault, safe, cash register, vending machine, safe deposit box, or other similar object, with the intent to commit a crime. Third degree burglary is a class 5 felony, but it will be charged as a class 4 felony if the crime involves the theft of a controlled substance legally kept in the property.

Kidnapping

Kidnapping in Colorado involves imprisoning a person or causing an individual to move from one place to another by force, or unlawful enticement.

  • First Degree Kidnapping – occurs when there is a demand for ransom and it is charged a class 2 felony.
  • Second Degree Kidnapping – involves any movement of the victim and it is considered a class 4 felony.

In addition, kidnapping is charged as a violent crime if it involves the possession or threatened use of a deadly weapon or the victim suffers serious bodily injury or death. A conviction for a crime of violence will lead to enhanced penalties.

Bold & Aggressive Representation

In Colorado, mandatory sentencing is imposed for the conviction for a violent crime. For this reason, if you are facing charges for assault, battery, robbery or arson, you need an experienced violent crimes attorney by your side especially residents of Denver, Arapahoe County, Jefferson County and Adams County. The Blair Law Office routinely defends clients who have been charged with a violent crime.