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If you’re facing child abuse charges in Colorado, it’s in your best interests to seek immediate legal representation from a compassionate, knowledgeable attorney who can defend your rights and protect your reputation.

The Denver defense lawyers at Wolf Law understand the far-reaching impacts of child abuse charges, and we have extensive experience with these challenging and often emotionally charged cases.

If you’re being investigated for child abuse or have been charged with child abuse, please call us today at 720-479-8574 for a free consultation or contact us online to tell us your story now.

Child Abuse in Colorado

Child abuse in Colorado is broadly defined as any act or failure to act that threatens the health or welfare of a child (a person less than 16 years old). This includes but is not limited to:

  • Negligence: A lack of care that leads to harm, i.e. the failure to provide adequate food, water, shelter or medical care.
  • Physical abuse: A physical act that endangers a child’s life or results in harm.
  • Psychological abuse: Verbal abuse, manipulation and other forms of emotional cruelty that adversely impact a child’s mental well-being.
  • Sexual abuse: Any sexual activity with a child.

While the actions above are inherently detrimental to a child’s welfare, there are other actions people may not explicitly consider child abuse. There’s a fine line between discipline and abuse, but many of these actions may still result in child abuse charges.

For example:

  • Spanking a child
  • Leaving a child unattended at home or in a car
  • Driving a child while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
  • Exposing a child to controlled substances or illegal drugs
  • Committing an act of domestic violence in the presence of a child
  • Failing to report suspected child abuse

Child abuse charges range from a petty offense to a Class 1 felony, depending on several factors including but not limited to the severity of any injuries and the relationship between the alleged abuser and the child.

All child abuse allegations should be taken seriously; even a misdemeanor child abuse charge could impact areas of your life including your ability to maintain contact with your child, your employment status, and your access to housing.

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting in Colorado

In Colorado, certain professionals are required by law to report known child abuse or suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect. These so-called “mandatory reporters” include the following categories:

  • Healthcare providers, including general physicians, dentists, nurses, etc.
  • Public or private school employees, including teachers, coaches and administrative staff
  • Social workers
  • Child care providers
  • Mental health professionals
  • Law enforcement officers
  • Firefighters
  • Emergency medical responders
  • Clergy members

When it comes to reporting child abuse, Colorado encourages a better-safe-than-sorry approach. Individuals or institutions who report suspected child abuse are immune from liability if the allegations ultimately prove false as long as they made the report in good faith.

Furthermore, those who report suspected abuse to Colorado’s Child Welfare department may do so anonymously.

Exaggerated or Dishonest Child Abuse Charges

In some cases, child abuse charges may be exaggerated or arise from a misunderstanding.

For example, a family member might make a false accusation out of anger following a domestic dispute. Children may miscommunicate details of an experience due to confusion or manipulated memory. Children may also fabricate accusations without understanding the potential consequences of their actions.

Similarly, some authority figures or professionals who are mandatory reporters may overreact or jump to conclusions about suspected child abuse. Teachers, babysitters or other adults may interpret a child’s complaints about a parent or guardian as allegations of abuse. Law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys may also use Colorado’s broad statutory language regarding child neglect and abuse to amplify charges.

Acceptable Punishment vs. Child Abuse

Parents and legal guardians have a right to discipline their children within the confines of the law, though people have different opinions about what types of punishment are acceptable.

While some people oppose physical punishment such as spanking, there is a meaningful distinction between corporal punishment and criminal child abuse. Physical discipline is not by law considered child abuse.

However, if a disciplinary act leads to formal abuse charges, you may need a criminal defense lawyer to effectively argue in court that the corporal punishment was reasonable and did not cross the line from discipline and physical abuse.

Contact a Colorado Child Abuse Defense Lawyer

If you’re being investigated for alleged child abuse or are facing child abuse charges in Colorado, one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself is to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Defendants often face an uphill battle in child abuse cases because juries are predisposed to protect children and view those accused of abuse with suspicion. The accomplished criminal defense attorneys at Wolf Law have substantial experience in child abuse cases, and our lawyers are effective at guiding juries to reach a fair decision based on the law and the facts of the case.

A child abuse charge can have long-term implications for your personal freedom, your family, your child visitation/custody rights, and other facets of your life. You need an attorney on your side who understands Colorado’s ambiguous child abuse statute and who can likewise help a jury understand when a prosecutor is stretching the statute too far.

Call Wolf Law today at 720-479-8574 for a free, no-obligation consultation or contact us online to get started now.

Child abuse can be anything as simple as leaving your child in the car when you go to the grocery store, to things far more serious like broken bones, bruising, and bleeding. As a result, child abuse can be anything from a petty offense, all the way up to a very serious felony that carries mandatory prison time. Child abuse cases, often times carry a family dynamic, that’s something your lawyer needs to understand. When you are going through a divorce, or difficult marriage situation, child abuse can be used as a weapon by your spouse, your ex, or any other type of relationship. You can’t let that happen to you; there are defense in child abuse cases, reasonable parental discipline is the most common. Meaning, you can discipline your child physically in the state of Colorado; it is legal, it just has to be reasonable. That’s a pretty interesting fine line that you will need your lawyer to walk. So you need someone like me, who has handled a lot of child abuse cases, has taken them to trial, and has an overwhelmingly good results from my clients. I can’t guarantee you that your results will be the same as my prior clients, what I can guarantee you, is that I’m going to do everything I can to get the best possible outcome for your case and make sure that you don’t lose your children.

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Sensitive Criminal Matter

At first I was unsure, working with attorneys can be so stressful and difficult to gauge if they can help you effectively. I used this firm for two different cases and I was glad that they were reasonable and didn’t tell me falsehoods. Straight to the point and don’t promise you rainbows and butterflies. That is what you want: a straight up lawyer who doesn’t give you nonsense. Be patient, they will help you and you can feel like they forgot; but that’s just how this stuff goes. Court cases take time and they have many clients, its nothing personal. When we went to court everything was laid out for me to understand and I think they prepared for each task. Each case was handled professionally and they answered all my questions. Thank you, Cassandra and Colleen

— Anonymous

Best possible outcome!

I was facing felony assault charges for an altercation I got into and needed an attorney. It was self defense but the DA was not seeing it that way. After calling around I found Wolf law and spoke with Colleen Kelley on the phone about my case. From the get go she was very professional and I could tell that she truly cares for her clients and their rights and wants to get the best possible outcome. So many attorneys out there just go through the motions and take peoples money. Colleen is not one of them! She knows the law and knows your rights. She’s very experienced in these types of cases and it showed! We took this case all the way to trial and Colleen was nothing short of exceptional in court! She left no stone unturned and was 110% prepared when my trial date came around. She also did an exceptional job preparing me for trial. I felt very confident going into trial because Colleen was in my corner. Communication was great throughout the whole process. Needless to say we got the result we were looking for and I was found not guilty on all counts. I will forever be grateful to Colleen for her services and I am thankful that I chose her to represent me. If you’re looking for a top notch attorney, pick up the phone and call Colleen!

— Ivan M.

Informative, Kind, Helpful: Can’t Thank Him Enough

My experience with Wolf Law was excellent. I am a full time college student and Mr. Wolf was beyond helpful to me, and provided me with all of the information I needed. He is very kind and always available for questions and support. I can’t thank him enough for all of his hard work.

— Marisa

Out of 5 stars I give Wolf Law 21,000

I had Cassandra Monahan defend me on an absolutely ridiculous Felony Menacing charge.
Cassandra fought for my life and got me a deferred judgement and only 12mo probation. After probation all charges against me were thrown out and all records sealed.

She was straight forward and diligent with my case. I can’t recommend Wolf Law and Cassandra enough.

— - Tom O.

Much Appreciation!

After a misread medical record, I was wrongly accused of a serious crime. Even though doctors admitted that the nurse misstated the severity of an injury, law enforcement tried to destroy my life. Law enforcement threatened to take away my wife, my kids and my life. I called around to a couple of attorneys, and no one offered the type of first-class customer service that Jeff provided. He was immediately available. Throughout the process, Jeff was there to guide and protect me. He was always available. And, after a long journey together, we found justice and freedom. During the process, I found Jeff to be intelligent, determined and highly personable. I strongly recommend Jeff!

— Anonymous

Professional and empathetic

I contacted Wolf Law for legal assistance with a case that had extenuating circumstances requiring someone experienced and understanding. When I first spoke with Jeff, he helped put me at ease and on the path to a resolution. Jeff promptly informed me of each new development in the case, while being sympathetic to my situation and advocating on my behalf. I’m incredibly satisfied with the result of the case and the speed at which Jeff achieved that outcome. Jeff was able to rectify a life changing event to just be a bump in the road.

— Mark Horgan

I Was Very Well Represented by Jeff

Regarding a DV assault charge, Jeff was able to have the judge do something he stated he’d never done in any similar case: he deferred my sentence, reduced probation, reduced the amount of classes I would have to take from being many weeks on end to 2 days, and instead of requiring a no-contact order (which would have left me homeless and unable to speak to my partner via any means), he placed me on a no-contact order with alcohol… That alone was the best thing I could hear.

Without going into details of my case, this was the best possible outcome I could have been given, and I’m so happy that I was recommended to him by a fellow law professional that went to school with Jeff. I will be using him again when the time comes to put this case behind me for good, and would recommend him to anyone who needs expert defense, and wants someone to explain your case in simple, yet professional terms. I felt very well taken care of. Thank you again, Jeff!

— Laurie A.

Sex offender deregistration

Colleen Kelly and her team, supported me and guided me through the process of getting off the registration . I had attempted over the years to do this on my own and at one point hired another attorney to assist me. These efforts were futile, I ended up with unnecessary years ( decades ) of suffering financially, humiliating encounters with personal relationships, landlords, employers, churches and other organizations.
Colleen and team were very professional and knew the steps that I needed to go through to get the job done. I would highly recommend Wolf Law, for their professionalism and caring.

— Alvin

First Rate Legal Representation

If one were to Google all the attributes that you want in legal representation, Wolf Law would check off each box. His entire staff is helpful and professional. As for Mr. Wolf himself, his expertise and straight-talk are exactly what you want and need in an attorney. The outcome of my case matched my most optimistic goal. I thoroughly endorse Wolf Law.

— Trenton

Excellent

I had Jeff work on two cases of mine. Very professional and very understanding. Outstanding communication and advice. I would highly recommend Mr. Wolf to anyone seeking legal help.

— Jasen B.