Child Abuse, C.R.S. 18-6-401, comes with numerous penalties in Fort Collins, CO, whether you’re charged with misdemeanor Child Abuse or felony Child Abuse. This is especially the case if you are designated a “Habitual Child Abuser.” This designation is given to anyone who is charged with Child Abuse for the second or subsequent time. If you are convicted, you must serve the maximum term of incarceration at the Larimer County Jail or the Colorado Department of Corrections / DOC. The good news is, your situation isn’t totally hopeless if you have been charged as a Habitual Child Abuser. Our top Fort Collins Child Abuse lawyers can represent you at the Larimer County Courts and help you protect your future.
Contact the Best Fort Collins Child Abuse Lawyers Today
If you have been charged with Child Abuse, especially if you’ve been accused of Habitual Child Abuse, it’s important that you contact the best Fort Collins Child Abuse lawyers before doing anything else. The sooner you retain an experienced attorney to handle your case, the better are your chances of seeing the best outcome possible in your case. In the best case scenario, the charges against you could be dismissed completely. Don’t wait, and call the top Child Abuse lawyers in Loveland to discuss your case today.
Legal Definition of Child Abuse, C.R.S. 18-6-401 at the Larimer County Courts
At the Larimer County Courts, the legal definition of Child Abuse, C.R.S. 18-6-401, is:
Who is a “Habitual Child Abuser,” C.R.S. 18-6-401.2, in Fort Collins?
The term “Habitual Child Abuser,” C.R.S. 18-6-401.2, is a designation given to any person who has been convicted of Child Abuse at least once before the current charge. You can be labeled a Habitual Child Abuser if you were previously convicted of misdemeanor Child Abuse or felony Child Abuse. Additionally, you can be given this designation if your conviction was within Colorado, another state, or at the federal level.
What are the Penalties for Habitual Child Abuse in Loveland and Estes Park?
In Loveland and Estes Park, if you are convicted of Habitual Child Abuse, you will be sentenced to the maximum term of incarceration. With a first Child Abuse offense, the Larimer County Courts have a sentencing range, and they also have the option of giving a sentencing alternative instead of incarceration. However, this is not an option with a second or subsequent Child Abuse conviction – you must serve the maximum term of incarceration.
As an example, recklessly causing serious bodily injury to a child is a class 4 felony. If it’s your first Child Abuse offense, the Courts could sentence you to 2 to 8 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections / DOC. If it were your second Child Abuse offense, however, you would be given 8 years in prison – the maximum term of incarceration.
Charged as a Habitual Child Abuser? First, always remember to be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent. Never talk about your charges with the Larimer County Sheriff, Fort Collins Police, or Loveland Police. Then call 970-658-0007 to discuss your case with a top Child Abuse lawyer in Fort Collins today. Together, we can protect your family’s future.
The location for the Larimer County Justice Center is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
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