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- FAQ: Colorado Criminal Defense Law – Domestic Violence Cases and The Right to Refuse to Testify Based on the 5th Amendment’s Right to NOT Incriminate Oneself
- Colorado Criminal Law – Representing Victims and Witnesses in Criminal Court and Proceedings – The Rights of Victims and Witnesses
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- FAQ: Colorado Criminal Firearms Laws – The Impact of Colorado Criminal Convictions On The Right To Bear Arms Under Federal Law
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding An Allegation Of Stalking Behavior – The Crime Of Stalking in Colorado
- How Denver City Domestic Violence Cases Are Different – The Denver Municipal Ordinance Domestic Violence Exception
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – Understanding The Colorado Laws Governing Dismissal In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Domestic Violence Defense – How To Head Off A False Accusation Of Domestic Violence
- Colorado Domestic Violence Defense Ideas: What Legal Strategies Should My Attorney Consider To Defend Against The Restraining Order
- Trial Issues In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado False Imprisonment Laws and Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Can a Colorado Domestic Violence Victim Refuse to Testify in Court?
- Understanding The Difference Between Colorado Domestic Violence And Actual Domestic Abuse
- Colorado Criminal Law – 18-8-610 When You Tamper With Evidence -18-8-306 Attempting To Influence A Public Servant and 18-5-104 Second Degree Forgery
- Finding The Best Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer – Don’t Be “Handed Off” To Another Lawyer In The Firm – One You Did NOT Retain!
- Meeting With Your Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer For The First Time – Making The Decision To Retain A Lawyer
- Experienced Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Lawyers in Colorado – Does Experience Really Make A Difference In A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer?
- Colorado Domestic Violence: An Industry
- FAQ: Colorado Domestic Violence Cases Part II
- FAQ: Colorado Criminal Law: Understanding the Impact of FEDERAL FIREARMS LAWS AND BRADY FINDINGS in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Law – A Comprehensive Look at the Colorado Defense of Self Defense, Initial Aggressor Laws, Make My Day Laws and the Duty to Retreat
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Laws – Couple’s or Martial Counseling NOT Allowed in Domestic Violence Treatment Programs
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Sentencing Procedures and Law – What Happens In A Colorado Domestic Violence Sentencing Hearing
- Withdrawing a Guilty Plea In Colorado – Especially Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Attorney Profile
- H. Michael Steinberg – A Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Lawyer Defense Lawyer
- Colorado Stalking Laws 18-3-602 – To Convict, A Defendant Does Not Need To Know That The Alleged Victim Is Suffering Serious Emotional Distress
- Key Colorado Domestic Violence Issues
- Understanding Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – Searches – Consent
- Colorado Criminal Defense Law – Defending Domestic Violence Cases -Victim Recants
- Colorado Criminal Defense Law – Defending Domestic Violence Cases – Understanding Tactical and Trial Issues -Victim Recantation
- Colorado Criminal Procedure – The Steps In A Colorado Criminal Case
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – The Impact of the Federal Violence Against Women Act in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases.
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding the Marital Privilege – When A Wife Is Prevented From Testifying Against Her Husband And The Reverse
- Colorado Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer – Understanding The Problem Of Identifying The Primary Aggressor In Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Law of Jury / Juror Misconduct – Analysis
- Colorado Criminal Law Guide – Self Defense and Domestic Violence Charges
- Colorado Criminal Law – What If I Run? – Absconding – Fleeing A Colorado Criminal Case – Evidence Of Flight At Trial
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – The Danger Of Being Charged With False Reporting If You Change Your Testimony – C.R.S. 18-8-111
- Colorado Criminal Trial Law – Introducing Evidence Of A Defendant’s Good Character Under CRE 404 (a) – In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- A Denver Colorado Criminal Lawyer Helps You To Understand Colorado Criminal Restraining Orders Under 18-1-1001
- Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyer On Common Domestic Violence Defenses – Why Does She Lie?
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law Series – Bail Bonds – How Are They Set? What Criteria Is Applied?
- Why You Should Never Rush To Plead Guilty In A Colorado Domestic Violence Case – The Fast Track Trap
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases Prosecuting With No Victim – Can They Still Go To Trial?
- Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyer On Domestic Violence And Mental Health Issues
- How DO The Police Evaluate Colorado Domestic Violence Cases? – The Law 18-6-803.6
- Understanding Colorado Domestic Violence Crimes – Wiretapping 18-9-303 C.R.S. vs Obstructing Telephone Service- C.R.S. 18-9-306.5
- How Mistakes Are Made In Colorado Domestic Violence Arrests – Predominant Aggressor Analysis
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding Criminal Mischief 18-4-501
- Colorado Criminal Law – Why Did My Doctor Call The Police On Me? – Physician – Psychologist Confidential Communications In Child Abuse – Domestic Violation Cases
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – Understanding The Impact Of The Domestic Violence “Tag” Designation
- Colorado Criminal Law – Restitution Is For ALL Crimes – Not Just Plea Bargained Convictions
- Will My Child Have To Testify In My Colorado Domestic Violence Case?
- Dual Arrests – Colorado Domestic Violence Arrest Mistakes – The Predominant Aggressor Law – Revisited
- How Can I Get A False Colorado Domestic Violence Case Dismissed?
- False Charges In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – The Ugly Divorce
- Why Aren’t Perjury Charges Filed More Often In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases?
- Police Contact in Colorado – What Are My Rights?
- Tactics and Strategies When You Are Accused of Domestic Violence in Colorado
- Colorado Criminal Law Update – Colorado May Upgrade Strangulation To A Felony – Even Without Serious Bodily Injury
- Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Must Conduct A Thorough Investigation Of Your Case To Properly Defend You
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – Defense Lawyers And Victim Contact
- Colorado Criminal Law – Domestic Violence Convictions & Custody Of Your Child
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – False Reporting To Authorities – 18-8-111 – A Dangerous Law
- New 2013 Colorado Gun Law In Domestic Violence Cases Applies Further Protection / Restraining Order Restrictions On Second Amendment Rights
- Colorado Q and A – Knowing Your Constitutional Rights – The First Step In A Colorado Criminal Defense Strategy
- Colorado Restraining Orders
- How To Lift A Colorado Domestic Violence No Contact Order by Denver Criminal Defense Lawyer – H. Michael Steinberg
- Colorado Domestic Violence Permanent Civil Protection Order Laws – Title 13 and 18
- Lifting Or Modifying Colorado Civil Restraining – Protection Orders Pursuant to C.R.S. 13-14-108
- Colorado Violation Of Protection Orders Cases -18-6-803.5. The Why and The How
- Colorado Civil Protection Orders And The Loss Of The Right To Bear Firearms – 13-14-105.5
- Colorado Criminal Law – Civil Restraining Orders – Common Sense Rules When You Have a Permanent Restraining Order Pending In Court Against You
- Questions and Answers About Violation of A Restraining Order in Colorado
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases and Restraiing Orders
- Colorado Domestic Violence Restraining Orders – The Trick -Making Me Break the Restraining Order
- Colorado Domestic Violence Issues – The Initial Steps To Take In Dealing with a Restraining Order?
- Why Police And Prosecutors Overcharge In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Restitution Law – Collecting Unpaid Pre- & Post Judgement Interest – An Unfair Turn In The Law
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Laws – Understanding the Crime of Stalking and Stalking Behavior
- Understanding the Crime of Stalking in Colorado – A Case In Point
- Colorado Domestic Violence No Contact Orders
- Why Police And Prosecutors Overcharge In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law: Why the Police Make Immediate Arrests in Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Law: What Is the Crime of False Reporting All About?
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – How Do I Get Off Of This Ride? Discharge Standards, Risk Categories and the Completion of Court Ordered Mandated Treatment – Part I
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – How Do I Get Off Of This Ride? Discharge Standards and the Completion of Court Ordered Mandated Treatment – Part II
- Colorado Domestic Violence Fast Track Programs
- Colorado Law Harassment Stalking Statute
- Colorado Domestic Violence – When the Wrong Person Is Arrested
- Colorado Domestic Violence Mandatory Arrest Laws – Wrong Headed – Make No Sense
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – A Birds Eye View
- Child Custody and Domestic Violence Allegations – How Allegations of Domestic Violence Are Used In Colorado Child Custody Battles
- The Defense Of Anticipated False Allegations Of Domestic Violence Cases in Divorce Cases
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – The Recanting or Reluctant Witness – Can I Refuse To Testify?
- Transferring Probation Out Of Colorado – The Interstate Compact
- Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Requirements
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – The Levels of Treatment A – B – C Explored – The Colorado Domestic Violence Offender Management Board Standards For Treatment With Court Ordered Domestic Violence Offenders
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – Understanding The Mandatory Treatment Requirement
- Colorado Criminal Law – Domestic Violence – How Colorado Courts Measure and to Predict Domestic Violence Threats – the Domestic Violence Risk and Needs Assessment (DVRNA)
- The New Colorado DV Treatment Standards
- The Colorado Domestic Violence Multi-disciplinary Treatment Team (MTT) Approach to Mandatory Domestic Violence Treatment Requirements
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – Re-victimizing The Victim – The Loss of Power For The Alleged Victim and The Case Against No Drop Policies
- Colorado Criminal Law Domestic Violence Right to Bear Arms
- Colorado Municipal Code Violations – City Code Criminal Charges – How Does This Work?
- Don’t They Have To Read Me My Rights? – The Meaning Of Miranda – Custodial Interrogation Under Colorado Law
- Colorado Stalking Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer Writes About Being Charged With Stalking In Colorado 18-3-601, 18-3-602
- Colorado Domestic Violence Lawyer – How To Avoid Incriminating Yourself At The Scene Of A Domestic Violence Investigation
- Colorado Domestic Violence Cases- The Arrest
- Colorado Law – Domestic Violence Assault Charges
- Colorado Domestic Violence and False Allegations of Child Abuse
- Colorado Domestic Violence Sentencing
- Colorado Domestic Violence Sentencing Law – Understanding The Restrictions on Prosecutors
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding The Motion For A New Trial If You Are Found Guilty – Rule 33
- Understanding Colorado’s Pre-Sentence Credit Laws – Credit For Time Served – 18-1.3-405
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding Colorado’s Scheme of Adult Sentencing Laws
- FAQ: Understanding Colorado’s Probation Supervision System
- Colorado Criminal Law – Asking a Judge to Change a Sentence – a Sentence Reconsideration – Under Colorado Rule of Criminal Procedure 35(b)
- FAQ: Colorado Restorative Justice – The Concept Behind A New Way Of Looking At Colorado Criminal Sentencing – Can It Work?
- Understanding Colorado Mandatory Arrest and So Called “No Drop” Prosecution Policies – The Research
- Colorado Criminal Defense Strategics: The Top Ten Myths About Colorado Criminal Cases
- Colorado Domestic Violence Defense – The Bullying Girlfriend – Spouse and Colorado Domestic Violence Cases *
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Laws – Firearms and Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Cases – The Role of Mental Health Assessment in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Law: Victim Representation in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
- Colorado Criminal Law: Why You Should Never Make ANY Statement to The Police During an Investigation – Miranda and Interrogation: A 2010 Update
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Defense – Understanding Terms and Concepts of the Domestic Violence Evaluation and Standards
- Colorado Criminal Law – A Listing of Key Domestic Violence Laws and Related Statutes
- In Depth Articles On Domestic Violence Laws – Issues – and History
- FAQ: Domestic Violence Defense Law- The Battered Woman Syndrome and Self Defense Law in Colorado
- Colorado Law – Common Law Marriages
- Understanding When Other Past Crimes or Bad Prior Acts Are Admitted at Trial in Colorado
- Colorado Criminal Law: Attacking the Credibility of the Accused – Defendant – The Law
- Colorado Statutes of Limitations – A Deadline to File Charges
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Cases – The Critical Impact of Expert Opinions On The Jury – The Battered Woman’s Syndrome And Other Issues For Expert Testimony
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – The Unfairness Of The Admission of Evidence of Character Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts – The So Called 404B – Similar Transactions Evidence
- Colorado Law: A New Idea In An Old Problem – Sequential Viewing for Identification Lineups -Eyewitness Identification Methods
- Understanding The Laws, Politics And Policies Behind Domestic Violence Cases – No Room For Justice Here*
- Limits On Hearsay Evidence – Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – The Crawford Decision
- Understanding Colorado Arrest and Conviction Records
- Colorado Domestic Violence Trials – What Juries Really Think
- Colorado’s Child Abuse Mandatory Reporters Law Changed – Does NOT Include Adults
- Colorado Domestic Violence Law – Arrests for Violations of Civil Protection – Restraining Orders
- How Colorado Criminal Offenders Are Sentenced – Judges Assess Risk
- Understanding Colorado Presentence Confinement In Concurrent Felony – Misdemeanor Sentencing – § 18-1.3-405
- Domestic Violence and Syndrome Evidence
- Federal Domestic Violence Laws Overview
- Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Resources
- 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County
- 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Jefferson County
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- 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties
- 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Boulder County
- 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – El Paso County
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- 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County
- The Dangers Of Juror Contact In A Colorado Criminal Jury Trials – Colorado Criminal Trial Law Guide
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Colorado Domestic Violence Sentencing Law – Understanding The Restrictions on Prosecutors
Domestic Violence cases in Colorado are different. From the Mandatory Arrest laws to the Fast Track Plea Bargaining techniques to the provisions that I have highlighted on this page.
What follows is a close analysis of a statute ( law) that everyone charged with a domestic violence case in Colorado should become familiar with.
The law is not just for lawyers.
Here is the analysis of the law:
18-6-801 – Domestic violence – sentencing.
(1) (a) In addition to any sentence that is imposed upon a person for violation of any criminal law under this title, any person who is convicted of any crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), or any crime against property, whether or not such crime is a felony, when such crime is used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship, shall be ordered to complete a treatment program and a treatment evaluation that conform with the standards adopted by the domestic violence management treatment board as required by section 16-11.8-104, C.R.S. If an intake evaluation conducted by an approved treatment program provider discloses that sentencing to a treatment program would be inappropriate, the person shall be referred back to the court for alternative disposition.
HMS: This provision is the law that requires court ordered treatment.
(b) The court may order a treatment evaluation to be conducted prior to sentencing if a treatment evaluation would assist the court in determining an appropriate sentence. The person ordered to undergo such evaluation shall be required to pay the cost of the treatment evaluation. If such treatment evaluation recommends treatment, and if the court so finds, the person shall be ordered to complete a treatment program that conforms with the standards adopted by the domestic violence management board as required by section 16-11.8-104, C.R.S.
HMS: This provision requires YOU to pay for it.
(c) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall preclude the court from ordering domestic violence treatment in any appropriate case.
(2) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to persons sentenced to the department of corrections.
(3) A person charged with the commission of a crime, the underlying factual basis of which includes an act of domestic violence as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), shall not be entitled to plead guilty or plead nolo contendere to an offense which does not include the domestic violence designation required in section 16-21-103, C.R.S., unless the prosecuting attorney makes a good faith representation on the record that such attorney would not be able to establish a prima facie case that the person and the alleged victim were currently or formerly involved in an intimate relationship if the defendant were brought to trial on the original domestic violence offense and upon such a finding by the court.
The prosecuting attorney’s record and the court’s findings shall specify the relationship in the alleged domestic violence case which the prosecuting attorney is not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt and the reasons therefor.
No court shall accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to an offense which does not include the domestic violence designation required in section 16-21-103, C.R.S., when the facts of the case indicate that the underlying factual basis includes an act of domestic violence as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1) unless there is a good faith representation by the prosecuting attorney that he or she would be unable to establish a prima facie case if the defendant were brought to trial on the original offense.
HMS: This is the basic provision – other than DA policies intra office – that requires prosecutors to go on the record to state – as an officer of the court – that they cannot prove their case. This is ONLY required in Domestic Violence labeled cases and in NO other type of cases. This law also requires the DA to delve into the intimate lives of the accused and the victim and determine if they have had sex in the past.
Finally this law requires only enough evidence for a PRIMA FACIE CASE not PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. DA’s should make their decisions based on whether they can meet the tough standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt – NOT the bare bones standard of a prima facie case.
HMS: PRIMA-FACIE, EVIDENCE, CASE Latin for “at first view.” Evidence that is sufficient to raise a presumption of fact or to establish the fact in question unless rebutted. A very weak standard of proof – evidence.
(4) No person accused or convicted of a crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), shall be eligible for home detention in the home of the victim pursuant to section 18-1.3-105 or 18-1.3-106 or for deferred prosecution pursuant to section 18-1.3-101. Nothing in this subsection (4) is intended to prohibit a court from ordering a deferred sentence for a person accused or convicted of a crime, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1).
HMS: This statute removes the possibility of home detention in the home of the victim and also prevents a deferred prosecution – the latter is a device sometimes used in plea bargaining that forgoes the need for a plea of guilty – allows the parties to settle the case (usually with a treatment program of some sort) then terminates in a dismissal of the case. The DP is used in every other kind of criminal case.
(5) Before granting probation, the court shall consider the safety of the victim and the victim’s children if probation is granted.
(6) Nothing in this section shall preclude the ability of a municipality to enact concurrent ordinances.
(7) In the event a person is convicted in this state on or after July 1, 2000, of any offense which would otherwise be a misdemeanor, the underlying factual basis of which has been found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence as defined in section 18-6-800.3 (1), and that person has been three times previously convicted, upon charges separately brought and tried and arising out of separate and distinct criminal episodes, of a felony or misdemeanor or municipal ordinance violation, the underlying factual basis of which was found by the court on the record to include an act of domestic violence, the prosecuting attorney may petition the court to adjudge the person an habitual domestic violence offender, and such person shall be convicted of a class 5 felony. If the person is adjudged an habitual domestic violence offender, the court shall sentence the person pursuant to the presumptive range set forth in section 18-1.3-401 for a class 5 felony. The former convictions and judgments shall be set forth in apt words in the indictment or information.
HMS: This is the provision that permits the DA to “stack” prior DV cases and enhance the misdemeanor to a felony labeling the accused an habitual domestic violence offender.
Title 18 Part 8. Colorado Revised Statutes – Domestic Violence.
§ 18-6-800.3 Definitions.
As used in this part 8, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “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. “Domestic violence” also includes any other crime against a person, or against property, including an animal, or any municipal ordinance violation against a person, or against property, including an animal, when used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge directed against a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.
(2) “Intimate relationship” means 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.
Other Articles of Interest:
- FAQ: Colorado Criminal Firearms Laws – The Impact of Colorado Criminal Convictions On The Right To Bear Arms Under Federal Law
- FAQ: Understanding Colorado’s Probation Supervision System
- Understanding The Difference Between Colorado Domestic Violence And Actual Domestic Abuse
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding An Allegation Of Stalking Behavior – The Crime Of Stalking in Colorado
- Why Police And Prosecutors Overcharge In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
