If you have been charged with a Crime of Violence, it is imperative that you contact the best Fort Collins criminal defense lawyer ASAP. Conviction of any Crimes of Violence, C.R.S. 18-1.3-406, will result in a longer sentence to the Colorado Department of Corrections / DOC than crimes of the same felony class. Without a top defense attorney representing you at the Larimer County Courts in Colorado, you could face up to several decades of your life behind bars. Imagine losing years of precious time with your family and friends, or struggling to find a job once you’re finally released from prison. Being charged with a violent crime is never worth the gamble – you need the best criminal defense lawyer.
1. What are Crimes of Violence, C.R.S. 18-1.3-406, at the Larimer County Courts?
At the Larimer County Courts, Crimes of Violence, C.R.S. 18-1.3-406, are defined as follows:
(A) Used, or possessed and threatened the use of, a deadly weapon; or
(B) Caused serious bodily injury or death to any other person except another participant.
Crimes of violence involve the threat or use of a deadly weapon, or serious bodily injury or death to another person not involved in carrying out the crime. Crimes of violence are punished much more severely than other criminal offenses at the Larimer County Courts. Not all Colorado crimes that involve a deadly weapon are considered a Crime of Violence; only certain crimes are specified as a Crime of Violence and subject to the extended sentencing range.
2. What are Deadly Weapons and Serious Bodily Injury in Fort Collins?
To understand Crimes of Violence in Fort Collins, it is essential to understand the definitions of “deadly weapons” and “serious bodily injury.” According to C.R.S. 18-1-901, a “deadly weapon” is defined as:
(I) A firearm, whether loaded or unloaded; or
(II) A knife, bludgeon, or any other weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, whether animate or inanimate, that, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.
“Serious bodily injury” is defined under the same statute as:
3. What are Examples of Violent Crimes in Loveland and Estes Park?
Some examples of violent crimes in Loveland and Estes Park include, but are not limited to, the following criminal offenses:
- Assault in the Second Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-203
- Assault in the First Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-202
- Crimes Against At-Risk Persons, C.R.S. 18-6.5-103
- Sexual Assault, C.R.S. 18-3-402
- Felony Unlawful Sexual Offenses, , if the defendant caused bodily injury or used threat, intimidation or force against a victim
- Aggravated Robbery, C.R.S. 18-4-302
If you have been accused of one of the above offenses or another crime of violence, you need to contact a top criminal defense lawyer immediately.
4. What are the Penalties for a Crime of Violence at the Larimer County Courts?
If you are convicted of a crime of violence at the Larimer County Courts, you will face a longer sentence at the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC) than you normally would for a crime of the same class. C.R.S. 18-1.3-406 states that:
Crimes of violence are also regarded as extraordinary risk crimes, which also come with enhanced sentencing ranges. Therefore, a crime of violence can entail the following penalties, accounting for the sentencing range for an extraordinary risk crime:
Classification |
Sentence at the Colorado DOC |
Sentence at the Colorado DOC for a Crime of Violence |
| Class 6 felony / F6 | 1 – 1.5 years | 1.5 – 4 years |
| Class 5 felony / F5 | 1 – 3 years | 2.5 – 8 years |
| Class 4 felony / F4 | 2 – 6 years | 5 – 16 years |
| Class 3 felony / F3 | 4 – 12 years | 8 – 32 years |
| Class 2 felony / F2 | 8 – 24 years | 16 – 48 years |
Many other factors can affect the sentencing range, so the sentencing ranges provided above are not applicable to every crime. For example, a sex offense can be a crime of violence, depending on the crime and the circumstances. However, sex crimes are subject to indeterminate sentences, which could entail a life sentence in the Colorado DOC.
If you have been charged with a crime of violence, it is essential that you hire a top criminal defense lawyer. You need an attorney to advise you as to the potential time you could face in a Colorado prison if you are convicted. It is also vital that your lawyer has the ability to defend you well at the Larimer County Courts, no matter how “complicated” your case may be. Don’t wait to call the best criminal defense lawyers who have an unparalleled understanding of the law. Your future depends on the attorney you hire.
Have you been charged with a crime of violence? Exercise your right to remain silent, and do not talk to the Fort Collins Police. Then call (970) 658-0007 to discuss your case with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Together, we can protect your future.
The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!
Photo by Somchai Kongkamsri