The Difference Between Misdemeanor and Felony Assault Charges in Colorado
June 30, 2026
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is taken very seriously by the state here in Denver. Conviction carries severe penalties that can have a substantial negative impact on your life, including heavy fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and even jail time.
However, with the right defense strategy based on the specifics of your situation, it is possible to challenge DUI charges and potentially reduce or even have them ultimately dismissed. This blog will explore some of the effective DUI [...]
Colorado sees a lot of car thefts in a year – and the numbers continue to climb.
This has led lawmakers to reconsider how car theft is penalized here. Currently, how much a car is worth will inform the penalty for the crime upon conviction.
However, lawmakers are now fighting to change the sentencing structure for this crime. They want to enhance the penalties related to car theft that don’t take the vehicle’s value into account. Their reasoning? This property [...]
Child custody in Colorado and around the United States is a complicated matter. If a domestic violence charge enters the picture against one parent, then that can make things even more complex. However, in every case involving child custody, the judge will overwhelmingly evaluate one factor: What is in the best interest of the child involved?
The truth is that any history of domestic violence or pending charges can make things a lot more difficult for the accused in a [...]
Violent crimes are some of the most harshly punished crimes in Colorado. However, sometimes the crime doesn’t even have to be fully completed in order for a person to be charged – the intent of the crime is often enough for a conviction, especially when it comes to attempting murder.
In Greeley, Colorado, a man wanted for attempted murder in El Paso County was recently spotted. He is on the run, and the public has been warned that he is [...]
If a police officer pulls you over for a traffic violation, they might ask to search your vehicle. You have the right to say no, which you can and should exercise, even when feel you have nothing to hide.
What about traveling on public transit, though? What are your rights in then?
Because public transit is paid for by tax dollars, it is considered public property. However, you still have the right to refuse a search of your person unless [...]
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[...]