Assault charges in Centennial can lead to serious criminal consequences, including jail time, probation, and a permanent criminal record. Depending on the circumstances of the case, prosecutors may pursue misdemeanor or felony assault charges under Colorado law.
Right Law Group represents individuals facing assault allegations throughout Centennial and Arapahoe County. Our Colorado criminal defense attorneys defend clients accused of a wide range of violent crimes.
For a broader explanation of assault laws in Colorado, you can review our main page explaining assault charges in Colorado.
Colorado law recognizes several assault offenses depending on the severity of the alleged conduct and the resulting injuries.
First-degree assault generally involves intentionally causing serious bodily injury, often with a deadly weapon.
This offense is typically charged as a Class 3 felony.
Second-degree assault may involve intentionally causing bodily injury with a weapon, causing injury to a peace officer, or intentionally causing serious bodily harm.
This offense is commonly charged as a Class 4 felony.
Third-degree assault is the most common assault charge in Colorado.
It may involve:
Knowingly causing bodily injury
Recklessly causing injury during a confrontation
Threatening or attempting to cause harm
Third-degree assault is typically charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Assault charges arising in Centennial are generally handled in Arapahoe County Court or Arapahoe County District Court, depending on the level of the alleged offense.
Many criminal cases involving Centennial begin with law enforcement investigations conducted by local police or sheriff’s departments before being referred to the district attorney.
Understanding how criminal cases move through the court system can be helpful. Our overview of the Colorado criminal justice process explains how criminal charges typically proceed through investigation, arraignment, and trial.
Penalties for assault convictions vary depending on the degree of the offense.
Possible consequences may include:
Jail or prison sentences
Probation
Significant fines
Protection orders
Mandatory anger management or treatment programs
Felony assault convictions may also affect employment opportunities and housing applications.
Assault cases often depend heavily on evidence gathered by law enforcement after an alleged altercation.
Evidence may include:
Police reports
Body camera footage
Surveillance video
Witness statements
Medical records or photographs
Because many assault cases involve conflicting accounts of what happened, analyzing the available evidence carefully is an important part of developing a defense strategy.
Our resource explaining challenging evidence in criminal cases discusses some of the legal strategies used in Colorado criminal defense.
Assault allegations sometimes appear alongside other criminal charges.
In Centennial, prosecutors may also pursue charges related to:
When multiple allegations are involved, it becomes important to evaluate how each charge interacts within the overall case.
If you are facing assault allegations in Centennial, understanding your rights and legal options is an important first step.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Third-degree assault is the most common assault charge and is usually prosecuted as a Class 1 misdemeanor.
In some cases, prosecutors may negotiate a reduction depending on the available evidence and the circumstances of the alleged incident.
Most assault cases in Centennial are handled in Arapahoe County Court or Arapahoe County District Court.
Some assault charges are felonies, particularly first-degree and second-degree assault. Third-degree assault is typically charged as a misdemeanor.
In Colorado, assault can either be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending on the severity of the crime committed. The least serious assault charges are classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, and the most serious are charged as class 3 felonies.
In Colorado, anytime someone intentionally or recklessly causes actual bodily injury to another person, that could be considered assault.
In Colorado, “bodily injury” is simply defined as “pain”. In other words, if someone claims that they felt pain during an incident that is considered a bodily injury, even if they do not have any visible injuries.
Assault is a very serious charge and can result in severe penalties. In Colorado, assault can be charged as a class 1 misdemeanor, a class 4 felony, or a class 3 felony, depending on the act that was committed.
