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Domestic Violence Charges and Sentencing

Your choice of attorney to represent you during a domestic violence charge is important. Please contact our firm today to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney who can provide a clear explanation of your legal rights and options.

Experienced Denver Criminal Defense Lawyer

I am Andres R. Guevara, an attorney who is a former assistant district attorney who understands how the state prosecutes domestic violence cases. While at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, I was assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit. Today I represent people who are accused of committing crimes. Understanding how the state prosecutes domestic violence cases helps me, your lawyer, prepare a better defense for clients. I represent clients in Denver, Colorado.

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I am attorney in Denver, Colorado, who is a former prosecutor who now defends criminal defendants. I know that once the wheels of justice start to turn in a domestic violence case, they can be hard to stop. If you are accused of a crime that can affect your future and your reputation, it's important to mount a proactive defense.

Free Attorney Consultation

To discuss your case with me, lawyer Andres Guevara, call 888-265-0044 or fill out the contact form below. My law office is in Denver. Hablamos español.

Domestic Violence Charges and Sentencing

Most domestic violence charges can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor. A defendant charged with a felony can serve significant time in prison, whereas a defendant charged with a misdemeanor may serve only a short jail term or be required to pay a fine, attend counseling or be put on probation. Contact Law Office of Andres R. Guevara in Denver, Colorado to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney about your options today.

Misdemeanor or Felony?

Whether a crime is a felony or a misdemeanor is determined by the seriousness of the crime and the relevant state laws. In many jurisdictions, acts that result in serious injuries are charged as felonies. Cases with no injury or slight injury are charged as misdemeanors. A prosecutor also may consider prior violent acts by the defendant to determine the level of crime to charge.

Misdemeanor Penalties

Sentencing for misdemeanor domestic violence convictions differs state to state. The penalties also depend on the specific facts of each case. The court will consider prior convictions, whether the abuser was on probation or parole, the local community's attitude toward the crime and any other mitigating or aggravating circumstances. Some of the penalties that may attach to misdemeanor domestic violence include:

  • Probation
  • Mandatory treatment programs
  • Short to moderate jail sentences
  • Fines
  • Pay restitution to the victim

In many states, misdemeanor defendants may face up to a year in the county jail plus a significant fine for each charged offense, but judges may be more lenient for first time offenders.

Felony Sentencing

Penalties for felony convictions are more serious than for misdemeanors, and vary greatly by state, by the severity of the crime and by the particular circumstances of each case. Generally, penalties range from shorter prison terms and moderate fines for less severe felonies to life sentences and large fines for more serious offenses. States with the death penalty may seek it in cases of domestic violence that result in death.

Conclusion

Contact Law Office of Andres R. Guevara in Denver, Colorado for more information on domestic violence crimes and sentencing. An experienced criminal defense attorney can explain your state's laws and how they apply to your situation.

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DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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  • P. v. MM (2010): Arapahoe county case involving innocent client mistakenly charged with drug sale. Successfully argued for dismissal of case.
  • P. v. C.B. (2010): Felony drug possession case. Successfully argued for suppression of drug evidence in case where police illegally entered an apartment under the pretense of conducting a child welfare check. Case dismissed.
  • P. v. I (2010): Client charged with inciting a prison riot and faced long mandatory prison if convicted. Successfully negotiated plea for probation.
  • P. v. B-G (2009): Arapahoe County felony case in which client was passenger in vehicle containing over 200 grams of cocaine. Over prosecution's objections, and despite the fact that a co-defendant received a two-year prison sentence, successfully argued to the judge for a sentence of probation.
  • P. v. J. (2009): Felony identity theft case in Arapahoe County. Client wrongly accused of being involved in a scheme to defraud when in actuality client was a victim of the same scheme. Case dismissed.
  • P. v. E. (2009): Client falsely accused by third party of illegal weapons possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Case dismissed after attorney investigation into accuser's background and the allegations.
  • P. v. O (2009): Client charged as look-out for alleged felony cocaine drug sales. Case dismissed.
  • P. v. C. (2008): Client accused of public indecency for changing clothes in a secluded part of a park. If convicted, client would have had to register as a sex offender. Client acquitted at trial of all counts.

Law Office of Andres R. Guevara
1733 High Street
Denver, CO 80218
Phone: 720-256-2306
Toll Free: 888-265-0044
Fax: 303-333-9493
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