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Wolf Law is your primary resource for Colorado domestic abuse information and legal representation.

Colorado domestic abuse cases move quickly in our court systems; they’re pushed through as “fast-track” procedures, and without legal guidance, it’s common for victims and offenders alike to feel misrepresented or kept in the dark.

What you don’t know about Colorado’s domestic violence laws can hurt you. Call 720-479-8574 for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Denver domestic violence attorney.

Aggressive Representation for Colorado Offenders and Victims

Domestic violence cases have far-reaching implications for victims and offenders:

  • Victims may not feel represented by the police or district attorney in a domestic violence case, especially if the victim doesn’t decide to file charges against the offender. Victims deserve to have their voice heard.
  • Offenders may not know enough about Colorado’s domestic violence laws to understand the gravity of these offenses. Even minor offenses carry lifelong consequences.

This is why it’s important for alleged offenders, as well as victims, to understand the nature and implications of domestic violence in Colorado.

Wolf Law has managed hundreds of domestic abuse cases—it’s the area of law where we got started. And while we can’t guarantee a particular outcome for a case, we strive to ensure every client gets the help they need, the representation they deserve, and a fair trial.

Call 720-479-8574 for a free consultation with a Denver domestic violence lawyer.

Colorado Domestic Violence Laws

Domestic violence cases are unique in our legal system. Colorado does not have a specific statute detailing domestic violence the same way our criminal code covers physical assault.

Because of this, domestic violence is not considered a standalone offense and is instead tacked on to other criminal charges. In legal terms, this is called a “sentence enhancer” or an “aggravator.”

According to Colorado revised statutes, “domestic violence means an act or threatened act of violence upon a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship…”

The criminal code also includes acts of violence against the property; municipal ordinance violations against a person, or his or her property (including animals); and especially when the property is used to coerce, control, punish, intimidate, or exact revenge against a person whom the offender has been involved with intimately.

Colorado defines “intimate relationship” in the following way:

“… a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or present unmarried couples, or persons who are both the parents of the same child regardless of whether the persons have been married or have lived together at any time.”

Understanding how Colorado defines domestic violence terms will help offenders and victims know what steps to take following a domestic incident.

domestic violence lawyer in Denver, Colorado

Immediate Arrests in Domestic Violence Cases

Colorado enforces a mandatory arrest law in domestic violence cases. This means if the police get called to a residence and they determine probable cause, someone is going to jail.

A minor domestic incident can quickly escalate to serious domestic abuse charges.

For example, if a harassment charge is alleged by a victim, and it’s found the victim and offender were involved in an intimate relationship (past or present), law enforcement is required to make an immediate arrest to ensure the continued safety of the alleger, as well as the safety of other occupants in a home.

There are no “take backs” with regards to domestic violence allegations.

Once a domestic violence incident has been charged there’s no avoiding certain immediate, legal repercussions: 

  • Law enforcement must arrest an offender if they feel there is probable cause that a confrontation involved domestic violence.
  • Offenders will be taken to jail and may be required to spend the night there; offenders remain in jail until a judge can set a bond amount.
  • A domestic violence case can’t be dismissed if the accuser doesn’t want to press charges; instead, the prosecuting agency must declare to the court under oath that he or she can’t prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

If you’ve been involved in a domestic abuse incident and you’re not sure what to do, call Wolf Law at 720-479-8574.

Facts About Domestic Violence in Colorado

Accusations of domestic violence are not rare in Colorado. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), the frequency and severity of domestic abuse can vary dramatically.

Here are some quick facts every Colorado resident should know:

  • In 2014, 16,700 people reported one or more domestic violence crimes to Colorado law enforcement.
  • In the same year, 25 Coloradans were killed by former or current intimate partners; nearly 70% of those victims were killed by a gun.
  • More than 300,000 people in Colorado are stalked during their lifetime.
  • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner.
  • The presence of a gun in the home during a domestic violence incident increases the risk of homicide by at least 500%.
  • Nearly 80% of Colorado domestic abuse programs lack important resources to serve victims and their families.

Share these facts about domestic violence with friends and family, and learn to recognize common signs of domestic abuse.

Common signs of domestic violence include: 

  • Bruising or injuries that may have been caused by choking, punching, or being thrown; black eyes and sprained wrists are common injuries suffered by victims
  • Attempting to hide injuries with clothing or makeup
  • Making excuses for the cause of injuries; repeatedly blaming injuries on clumsy behavior
  • Having few friends or purposefully avoiding social interactions with coworkers or family
  • Having to ask for permission to meet or talk with other people
  • Having little or no money, no credit cards, and/or limited access to a car

Most relationships go through rough patches, and even happy couples argue now and then. Domestic violence is not a disagreement. Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse used to control the behavior of another.

Signs of domestic abuse can be shadowy, especially domestic abuse against men. If you or a loved one needs help getting out of an abusive relationship, contact the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) for relief.

CCADV works with a network of advocacy programs throughout Colorado to aid appropriate and comprehensive responses to family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence. If you’re a victim of domestic abuse, the next call you should make is to Wolf Law. 

If you’ve been charged with domestic violence, you need Wolf Law. If convicted of domestic violence, significant federally mandated restrictions and provisions related to gun ownership, security clearances, government employment, military service, and even deportation will follow.

If you have any questions related to domestic abuse, we want to hear from you.

Call Wolf Law at 720-479-8574 for a free, confidential consultation with a Denver domestic violence lawyer or contact us online.

At Wolf Law we handle a lot of domestic violence cases; they are some of the most prevalent in our system. People get charged with domestic violence all the time, and they often need to have an attorney because domestic violence can be very different from most other cases. Some of the ways they’re different is you need to understand that if you are being investigated for, or charged with a misdemeanor or felony domestic violence case, you will be required to spend a night in jail. That’s because the law says that your bond has to be set by a judge in person. So, there are a lot of attorneys out there that tell people they don’t have to go to jail, or they’ll make it so they don’t have to go to jail; they’re wrong! They don’t know what they are talking about. You need to be prepared for that, your attorney needs to be able to help you prepare for that. Another way domestic violence cases are different is that you can’t just expect that if your wife, girlfriend or even a former partner, wants this case dismissed and says it didn’t happen, that the case is going to go away. The law has taken that decision out of their hands. They’ve put it in the hands of the prosecutor, only the prosecutor whether it is a city attorney, district attorney, or any other type of prosecuting agency; they are the only ones that can dismiss a case. They have to be able to stand up in court, under oath and tell a judge that they cannot prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt that is the only way for a case to be dismissed. Another large, large difference in domestic violence cases is that unlike any other case, you can have your prior criminal episodes, prior charges, prior dismissed cases or even allegations when you were never charged or put into the court system can be brought in and used against you. Also, and important to remember is that any domestic violence conviction will trigger the Lautenberg Amendment, a federal law stating that you can never possess a firearm ever again. Your gun rights can be implicated for the rest of your life on a domestic violence conviction. You need to speak with an attorney prior to making any decisions on these cases, because the consequences can be felt for the rest of your life. The reason that I handle so many domestic violence cases is that is where my career started. When I was a public defender at the very beginning of my career the court room I worked in handled all domestic violence cases, all day. Every type of charge you can imagine under the domestic violence statutes are cases I started my career handling. I can’t guarantee an outcome for any of my future clients, but what I can tell you is, is that with my experience in domestic violence, if there is a way out I will find it.

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Testimonials

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.

Thanks for your help

Cassandra Monahan helped me get the best results I needed for my case. I highly recommend! Much appreciated!

— Melissa

Great results. Great to work with.

I had an amazing experience working with Wolf Law, and specifically Cassandra Monahan. I was involved in a car accident and Miss Monahan not only got the ticket dismissed, but did it quickly and effectively. Moreover, she was great to work with, showing a genuine care for me and my case. I would highly recommend Wolf Law and Cassandra for anyone who needs representation with respect and results!

— Rob T.

I Was Lucky to Have Jeff Represent Me

After a referral from a friend, I was lucky enough to have Jeff represent me in a domestic violence case. I found Jeff to be extremely professional and experienced in his field. This being my first experience with the court system, he took the time to explain the process and my options in terms I could understand. I never felt like he was forcing me to take one option over another, he clearly explained each one and, while giving his recommendation, left it up to me as to which decision I felt would be the best for me and my family.

I am very pleased with the outcome of my case and would highly recommend Jeff to anyone in this situation.

— Melissa

Expert Help

I am glad that I was referred to Jeff. His capable counsel turned a really big mess into a straightforward procedure. All my contacts with the entire staff at Wolf Law were outstanding. Jeff was able to explain very complicated proceedings in a way that made sense and allowed me confidence that I was fully prepared. Jeff’s professionalism both inside and outside the courtroom was an immense help during a tough time. Legal troubles are very stressful, and it is important to have someone working for you with the experience and knowledge to be able to help. Jeff provided that and more: never feeling lost in the situation was an added benefit that was priceless. I would highly recommend the team at Wolf Law.

— John B.

I Will Definitely Hire Mr. Wolf Again

I turned to Wolf Law for help after a small bumper ding in a Starbucks parking lot escalated once the Denver PD was involved. Jeff expertly stepped in to keep the matter from getting any more complex, including speaking with a Denver Police Officer who seemed intent on imposing the most severe charges possible. Jeff continued his zealous representation of my case in Traffic Court where he worked out a reduction in the ticket with the Denver City Attorney and also eloquently explained the situation and the facts at hand to the judge, resulting in a reduction in the fine. Wolf Law exceeded my expectations on this case and managed to keep me calm about the severity of the charges throughout the process. I would highly recommend Wolf Law to anyone and everyone, and if I ever have the need, I will definitely hire Mr. Wolf again.

— Gil S.

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

Highly Recommended

First of all, I would like to thank Colleen Kelley and all the staff at Wolf Law for helping me greatly with my legal matters. I called and was able to get consulted that same day, and the prices are very manageable. Colleen did an awesome job and took her time reviewing all the evidence and negotiating with the DA. In my first case she was able to get the charges completely dismissed, which was very impressive. I had a second case where she got me a deferred judgment deal, which was great considering the charges pending. I am very pleased with her efforts and time spent working on my case. Again, I would highly recommend Wolf Law, giving them 5/5 stars!

— Michael

Amazing Results

I worked with Jeffrey on my first DUI case. I had a high BAC but instead of focusing on that, he had me focus on the things I could do before court to prepare. I did my part and he did too. 2/3 charges dropped, 1 largely reduced which prevented any jail time. I’m so thankful, highly recommend Wolf Law.

— Aaron S.

Case commitment

Thank you! Cassandra helped me through every step of the way. She was extremely flexible and answered anything i could ask. She was the biggest and nicest help I could ask for, on top of being resourceful she got my case done earlier than the state said. I would highly recommend Cassandra to any one she was amazing.

— Kyler A Witt