Domestic Violence Lawyer in Colorado Springs
Domestic Violence Lawyer in Colorado Springs
Charged with Domestic Violence?
You Need a Domestic Violence Lawyer in Colorado Springs
If you are facing charges of domestic violence, then you need legal representation from a domestic violence attorney, which is part of criminal defense law. The team of criminal defense attorneys at Perkins Law are among the top-rated domestic violence lawyers in Colorado Springs.
Click to schedule a free consultation with a Colorado Springs criminal defense attorney.
Domestic Violence Can Put You In Jail
Often, a domestic violence charge happens in the heat of the moment. An emotional argument escalates to the point of yelling, name-calling, accusations, intimidation, damaging property, and other similar actions. In the blink of an eye, the police are knocking at the door. In Colorado Springs, an officer is required by law to make an arrest if they deem there is probable cause. This law often results in unnecessary arrests based on misunderstandings.
Domestic Violence Charges Come with Lots of Problems
If you are facing domestic violence charges in Colorado, then you have more than just a court case on your hands. You have a whole slew of potential problems.
You have protection orders – aka restraining orders – to deal with. In Colorado, the courts automatically issue a 72-hour emergency protection order against anyone charged with domestic violence. The courts will issue this 3-day restraining order even if the alleged victim made up the charges, does not press charges, or changes their mind and retracts the charges.
The courts can extend emergency protection orders to become temporary protection orders (TPOs). A TPO is valid for 15 days but can extended. A TPO can become a permanent protection order (PTO). The PTO is a restraining order of 6-months to a year or longer.
A restraining order can be a nightmare. Below are some ways a restraining order can make your life miserable and cost you money.
When a judge issues a restraining order against you, then you:
- Must refrain from contacting the alleged victim and witnesses in any way including phone, text and email. This means you may have to pay your lawyer to speak with the victim’s lawyer.
- May lose access to your home and belongings and end up paying for lodging or sleeping on a friend’s couch. You may need to buy clothes and other necessities.
- Could lose the ability to see or communicate with your kids for days or even weeks.
- May lose access to your transportation if you and the alleged victim shared a vehicle. This means renting a car or spending big bucks on Uber.
- May have to stay away from locations where the alleged victim is likely to hang out. This may impact your social life if you and the victim shared interests and friends.
- You may lose other aspects of your lifestyle if the judge thinks is necessary to protect the alleged victim – including preventing you from drinking, accessing to firearms, etc.
Related: FAQs of a Colorado Springs Restraining Order Lawyer
Fighting Protection Orders
You have the legal right to solicit the Colorado Springs courts for modification or dismissal of a Colorado protection order.
Do not procrastinate. If you have kids, the last thing you want is for a TPO to become a PTO. Even if the restraining order is not a hassle at the moment, in most cases, you should fight to keep the order from becoming permanent. A permanent protection order against you could have ramifications you are not aware of yet.
Defending domestic violence charges and fighting protection orders requires experience and creativity. While the Colorado Springs courts often issue TPOs without a hearing, the judges are more cautious with a permanent protection order because of all that is at stake.
The judge in the domestic violence case will set a court hearing to decide whether to continue a TPO. Both you and the alleged victim will have each have “your day in court” to present arguments to the judge. At this hearing, you want a Colorado Springs domestic violence attorney by your side to guide you to achieve the best outcome for you. Your domestic violence attorney will challenge the alleged victim’s story and any negative characterization of your behavior. The attorney will question and test the witnesses called.
The alleged victim may use domestic violence charges to get an upper hand in divorce, property, or child custody proceedings. The best Colorado Springs domestic violence attorneys are on the lookout for these tactics and can turn them around to help your case.
Domestic Violence Attorneys at Perkins Law Can Help You
The attorneys at Perkins Law in Colorado Springs work hard – and smart – to defend clients charged with domestic violence. Fighting domestic violence charges and protection orders is one of our specialties. We understand the many twists and turns in the Colorado criminal law courts. We can collect the evidence needed to create a strong defense against domestic violence charges and restraining orders and get the best outcome for you.
Our team has defended hundreds of local citizens charged with domestic violence. We are familiar with most of the prosecutors, judges and other lawyers in Colorado Springs. We have an excellent track record of getting domestic violence charges reduced and dismissed.
The domestic violence judges and prosecutors in Colorado Springs respect Perkins Law for our calm, insightful and ethical demeanor in stressful criminal cases. If your domestic violence case goes to trial, Perkins Law has the skills to convince the jury you are not guilty.
Helpful Links
Colorado Springs Assault Defense Attorney Explains Assault Charges
Colorado Springs Restraining Order Violation Lawyer Answers FAQs About Protection Orders
Considering divorce? Learn what you need to know when hiring a Colorado Springs Divorce Attorney.