By H. Michael Steinberg – Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer
Understanding The Difference Between Colorado Domestic Violence And Actual Domestic Abuse – A question asked by very confused persons in Colorado who have been charged with crimes involving the “tag”of domestic violence – is: “Why am I charged with “domestic violence” if there were no acts of actual violence?”
In fact – most of the time – they are very, very minor crimes which are charged because of the very broad wording in the law. The person charged with domestic violence cannot understand why their image of those guilty of “domestic violence,” which is one of very bad people physically assaulting defenseless victims, is charged with the same act of domestic violence as the kind of charges brought in their case.
To answer the question – you must begin with the LEGAL DEFINITION of domestic violence in Colorado.
In Colorado An Act Of Domestic Violence means..
[Type ONE] …. an act or threatened act of violence upon a person with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.
or,
[Type TWO]…. any other crime against a person or against property or any municipal ordinance violation against a person or against property, 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
Both types require the existence of an intimate relationship, but the similiarities end there.
An“intimate relationship” is:
…. 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.”
Many of the Colozrado cases interpreting the term intimate relationship point to the main criteria for such a relationship as arising from some kind of sexual relationship. However an intimate relationship for purposes of the Colorado domestic violence statute is much broader than that definition.
The Courts will find an “intimate relationship”, by analyzing:
(1) the length of time the relationship has existed or did exist;
(2) the nature or type of the relationship;
and
(3) the frequency of interaction between the parties.
Type One acts of domestic violence require an act or a threatened act of actual domestic violence. There is a requirement in this type of domestic violence that there be an ACTUAL act or threatened act of real violence…
Compare this to Type Two acts of domestic violence.
Type TWO domestic violence crimes require: an intimate relationship plus the commission nof any crime “used as a method of coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge”
Type TWO acts of domestic violence greatly expand the nature and type of criminal acts that can be charged as domestic violence. Non violent property crimes such as theft, fraud, trespass, burglary, can ALL be charged as acts of domestic “violence” under type two domestic violence cases.
The kinds of property crimes most often filed in TYPE ONE COLORADO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES are:
The kinds of property crimes most often filed in TYPE TWO COLORADO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES are:
Unlike other kinds of incarceration based “sentence enhancements” such as mandatory prison sentences for crimes of violence or the denial of probation based on prior felony convictions, the enhancement for a finding of domestic violence in Colorado means the requirement of domestic violence treatment.
If a Court finds a crime was committed and was “an act of domestic violence” the court MUST order a domestic violence treatment program evaluation and treatment if necessary pursuant to this law.
(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 offender management board as required by section 16-11.8-103 (4), 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.
(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 offender management board as required by section 16-11.8-103 (4), C.R.S.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author – A Denver Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-2277.
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