ANNOUNCEMENT: Right Law Group Opens New Location, Attorney Matt Chaput Joins Team – Learn More
Get the help of an experienced trial attorney on your side. As an experienced Highlands Ranch domestic violence lawyer, Matt Chaput will help advocate on your behalf and get you the best possible outcome for your case. Need help? Contact us now.
Facing domestic violence charges?
Domestic violence has many technical aspects that can have lasting consequences, particularly if you have children. A conviction can make it more difficult to see your children and can even result in you losing custody. If you have been arrested for domestic assault, you need an experienced Highlands Ranch domestic violence lawyer that can help you make informed decisions that move you toward the best outcome possible. Proven to save clients battling criminal defense matters — Matt Chaput is a Colorado domestic violence attorney that will give you an honest assessment of your domestic violence charges and provide professional, aggressive representation in court.
Begin building your defense today with a confidential and free consultation.
If you don’t have in-depth knowledge of domestic violence law, it can be tempting to take a quick plea deal with the prosecutors. However, if you want to increase the chances of a favorable outcome of your case, you should at least speak to an experienced domestic violence lawyer in Highlands Ranch, CO about your options. When defendants hire domestic violence lawyers, it becomes their job to advocate for their clients’ rights and fight the District Attorney in court to get the best possible outcome.
Maybe you have doubts about whether your rights were violated. Maybe you need someone to give you straightforward, no-pressure advice on what you should expect from your charges. Either way, reach out to Right Law Group today.
The first thing you need to know is that domestic violence is not punished as a separate crime in the state of Colorado. When a person is convicted of a domestic violence crime, they are convicted of the underlying charge (i.e., “assault”, “battery”, “harassment,” etc.).
Because of the wide range of possible charges in domestic violence cases, convictions can vary between misdemeanors and felonies. The possible consequences and penalties, then, can also vary.
In some cases, felony convictions of domestic violence can even lead to future issues with gaining employment, finding adequate housing, and even family law matters like child custody. If you’re facing this type of charge, call a domestic violence attorney and do everything you can to protect your freedom and your future.
In some cases, there are factors that can elevate a domestic violence case to a more serious charge with more serious consequences, including felony status.
These aggravating factors include:
Repeat offenders also face stiffer penalties in domestic violence cases. Second or subsequent offenses may trigger the District Attorney to petition the court to declare you a habitual domestic violence offender. To mitigate the consequences of these aggravating factors, you need the experience of an attorney that has in-depth knowledge of domestic violence laws in Highlands Ranch, CO.
While an arrest can come easy, domestic violence charges like domestic assault can be difficult to prove depending on the circumstances of the case. While cases like domestic assault involve a complex criminal defense, some possible strategies used in domestic violence cases in Colorado include:
At the end of the day, it’s up to the District Attorney to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty as charged for a domestic violence crime. You should ALWAYS speak to an experienced domestic violence attorney to work through all of your best options.
The answer to that question often depends on your past criminal history and the specifics of your case. In Colorado, it can be a common tactic for police and the District Attorney to list multiple charges in the police report to make a conviction more likely. The reality is that domestic violence charges on their own have a relatively low conviction rate in comparison to other crimes. While this is not true 100% of the time, the reality is that in most cases, where there are no clear injuries, it is a matter of “he said, she said”. Of course, each case is different and you may or may not have factors involved in your case that would allow it to be dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge. The only way to know for sure how domestic violence lawyers can help your case and how much the fees will cost is to contact us today. Payment plans are available. Reach out today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.
Domestic violence can be present in many forms. Oftentimes there may be no evidence of physical violence, or there may be another type of assault taking place — Domestic violence does NOT just involve physical harm. There are a lot of other endangering or threatening behaviors that can lead a victim to press charges.
Right Law Group is a highly experienced Colorado law firm that focuses on domestic violence as well as other areas of criminal and DUI law. We represent clients in Denver, Littleton, and Highlands Ranch, CO. As well as all surrounding cities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. If you are looking for a Highlands Ranch domestic violence attorney that offers aggressive defense no matter the case, look no further. Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t make the mistake of trying to defend yourself or pleading guilty or no contest just because you want to get this behind you. A conviction for ANY charge can have lasting consequences that you should be aware of before making any decisions.
Nick was very knowledgeable and friendly when I asked him about a traffic ticket. He answered all of my questions in a timely manner. Right Law Group is an excellent criminal defense law firm and the attorneys are top notch. 10/10 will recommend to family and friends.
I called Right Law group to ask about a speeding ticket. I spoke with a lady named Rachelle. She was very helpful with answering my questions. At the end of our conversation I felt she understood how I was feeling. I appreciated her willingness and the time she spent with me. Thank you.
I can’t stress enough how helpful and professional the staff were. Nanette was stellar! She exceeded all of my expectations. Thank you for helping me and for getting back to me so quickly.
Chelle was great meeting. Even though we did not end up needing to work with her. We were super impressed with her knowledge and professionalism. If we ever have the need she will be my first call.
The thing that's impressing about Alexis and her team is nothing's sugar coated. She and her law firm is very straight forward. They will tell you what to expect each step of the way. They care about their clients, very exceptional!
I called in and spoke to Rachelle about a speeding ticket I got a few months back. She was super helpful and helped me thoroughly understand the process of what will happen. She was very helpful and very knowledgeable. Thanks Right Law Group and thank you Rachelle!
Excellent customer service. I worked with Mailyn and she was so polite and nice to work with. Definitely knows her business. Will continue to use this company. I would recommend right law group to anyone that needs legal help.
Very responsive and professional in all communications. I would highly recommend this firm and their services.
So far this law group has been fantastic. I get updates on my case all the time. They keep me informed, which makes me feel better. Extremely nice personnel who are very helpful and answer all your questions.
The process begins with either an arrest or a summons. The accused is either arrested or served with paperwork summoning them to appear in court. During an arrest, Miranda rights may or may not be read to you. Officers are only required to recite your rights if they intend to question you about potentially incriminating things.
In most cases, you're entitled to have a reasonable bond set after you've been arrested. In situations involving domestic violence, the police will request input from the victim before setting a bond. Bonds are set to ensure that a person appears in court at their court dates. If they don’t show up, they forfeit the money that was paid for the bond.
Whether you are arrested or given a summons to appear, the court must make sure you understand what crimes you are being accused of committing. This is called advisement of charges. The District Attorney will detail the specific charges against you, and the Judge has to make sure you understand what possible penalties are associated with that charge in the state.
A preliminary hearing is a way for your defense attorney to challenge the District Attorney’s right to bring charges against you by making them prove that there is reason to believe you committed a crime. The Judge is not deciding your guilt or innocence, but rather whether or not there is probable cause to charge you with the crime in question.
This court date comes after your attorney has reviewed all of the reports and evidence in your case. Here’s where your attorney will engage in plea negotiations with the DA. If they can reach an agreement on the case, you may be able to take a plea bargain. If they cannot reach a resolution, your case will be set for an arraignment or trial date.
An arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you choose to plea. Guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, you and your attorney will then set the case for trial.
A motion hearing is when an attorney makes a request that requires a decision from the judge. For example, motions to suppress evidence or statements. These motions can limit the information that goes before a jury if it benefits your case, and there are legal grounds for doing so.
A pretrial readiness conference is held at some point before trial. It usually is held about a week to a month before the date trial is set to begin. This court date ensures everyone is ready to go to trial on the set date. It is also a time for lawyers to bring up any issues they may have to be addressed before the day of trial.
After a jury is selected for trial, the District Attorney’s responsibility is to present the case to the jury. The DA must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime. Otherwise, the jury must find you innocent. Your attorney will be able to cross-examine all of the witnesses, present evidence, and ultimately help you navigate this process.
At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you plead guilty. The Judge’s decision is based on the listed penalties for the specific charge, recommendations from the presentence investigation, your criminal history, as well as statements made at the sentencing by the District Attorney, your attorney, you, and any named victims of the crime.
Unfortunately, a domestic violence conviction stays on your criminal record forever. That’s why hiring an experienced domestic violence attorney to review your criminal case is critical for your future opportunities.
Any case can be settled with a plea bargain in Colorado courts. While this is a possibility in some cases, domestic violence charges are taken seriously in the Centennial State. In fact, charges cannot be dropped prior to prosecution, even by the alleged victim.
When a defendant is sentenced to probation after a domestic violence conviction, counseling and treatment are mandatory conditions of their court supervision period. Failure to complete classes could result in probation being revoked.