The Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony Assault Charges in Colorado
June 30, 2026
Traditionally, consequences for fighting in school were limited to a trip to the principal’s office and school-enforced punishments such as detention, suspension or – in the worst case – expulsion. However, violence is a growing problem in schools across the US, so many educators and law enforcement officials are cracking down on violence of all forms, frequently by imposing legal consequences for students caught fighting.
Recently, two schools in Colorado made headlines for prosecuting students caught fighting at school. At [...]
Domestic violence in Colorado is not an actual charge, but rather an “enhancement” to other, existing charges. Because of this, it is something that covers quite a bit of ground and can be attached to a number of different criminal offenses.
In this post, we’re going to detail the offenses most commonly associated with domestic violence and tell you how to get help if you are facing any of these charges.
Defining Domestic Violence in ColoradoColorado law defines domestic [...]
Assault is a very serious offense, and can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony in Colorado depending upon the circumstances of the alleged offense. This may carry jail or prison time, as well as hefty fines. Moreover, if convicted, you will be left with a criminal record of violent crime that can compromise your ability to attain housing, employment, loans, and child custody, among other issues.
If charged with assault in Denver, you should make every effort [...]
Serving as a corrections officer in a juvenile detention center has to be a tough job. You need to keep the peace between people who have been put there due to committing a wide variety of crimes, some quite violent. However, you also have to constantly remind yourself that your charges are still kids and tailor your responses accordingly.
Dean Hawkinson is learning this lesson the hard way. In September, Hawkinson, a longtime officer at the Spring Creek Youth Services [...]
Have you ever read or watched a story on the news and thought to yourself, “What is our country coming to?” The numerous stories out there about recent clown sightings have had a lot of people around the nation shaking their heads.
Here’s what’s been happening. For a few months now, people have been reporting creepy clown sightings. And it’s not just the fact that people dressed as clowns are creeping people out. In some stories, the clowns have attempted [...]
Assault charges in Colorado can range from a misdemeanor accusation after a physical confrontation to a serious felony carrying years in prison. The difference usually depends on the alleged intent, the level of injury, whether a weapon was involved, and whether the alleged victim falls into a protected category under Colorado law.
That distinction matters immediately. A misdemeanor assault case may still carry jail time, fines, a permanent criminal record, and collateral consequences for employment, housing, licensing, and your reputation. [...]
A preliminary hearing in a felony case in Colorado is one of the earliest opportunities for the prosecution’s evidence to be tested before a judge. It happens after charges have been filed and the defendant has made an initial appearance, but before the case moves into trial court. The hearing is not about deciding guilt or innocence. Instead, the court is checking whether the prosecution has sufficient evidence to move the case forward.
In Colorado, this stage is often [...]
Only one drug felony level in Colorado carries a true mandatory prison sentence. The other three carry presumptive ranges where a judge still has discretion, meaning the defense strategy in a DF2, DF3, or DF4 case looks completely different from that in a DF1 case. At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our Denver drug crimes attorney has spent more than a decade in Denver courts, working to achieve better outcomes for clients facing felony drug charges.
Only One Drug[...]