It is critical to understand when you are justified to use self-defense in Colorado. At the Larimer County Courts, it is usually a crime to use physical force against another person. If you do, you could be charged with Assault. However, Colorado law permits you to use physical force to defend yourself or another person if you are attacked. If you have been charged with a crime after you exercised self-defense, you need to contact a top criminal defense lawyer today. Below, our best criminal defense attorneys discuss self-defense as an affirmative defense at the Larimer County Courts:
1. Colorado’s Law on Self-Defense – Use of Physical Force in Defense of a Person, C.R.S. 18-1-704
Colorado’s law on self-defense is outlined under Use of Physical Force in Defense of a Person, C.R.S. 18-7-704:
(2) Deadly physical force may be used only if a person reasonably believes a lesser degree of force is inadequate and:
(a) The actor has reasonable ground to believe, and does believe, that he or another person is in imminent danger of being killed or of receiving great bodily injury; or
(b) The other person is using or reasonably appears about to use physical force against an occupant of a dwelling or business establishment while committing or attempting to commit burglary as defined in sections 18-4-202 to 18-4-204; or
(c) The other person is committing or reasonably appears about to commit kidnapping as defined in section 18-3-301 or 18-3-302, robbery as defined in section 18-4-301 or 18-4-302, sexual assault as set forth in section 18-3-402, or in section 18-3-403 as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, or assault as defined in sections 18-3-202 and 18-3-203.
C.R.S. 18-7-704 justifies the use of physical force to defend yourself or another person if unlawful physical force is imminent. If you use self-defense, the degree of physical force you use must be proportional to the threat.
2. When is Self-Defense Not Justified in Fort Collins?
There are some instances in which self-defense is not justified in Fort Collins. These include:
- Using a degree of force beyond what is necessary to defend yourself. If a person slaps you and you pull out your gun and shoot him, this would not qualify as self-defense. You can only use deadly physical force if you believe that a lesser degree of force is inadequate and you would still be in danger.
- You provoked another person to use unlawful physical force with the intent of causing bodily injury or death to that other person.
- The other person made unwanted but nonforcible romantic or sexual advances towards you.
Self-defense is justified when you are not the initial aggressor in a conflict, unless you were involved in a fight and you then withdrew. Additionally, you can only use a degree of force that is necessary to defend yourself or another person.
3. Examples of Self-Defense in Larimer County
Some examples of exercising self-defense in Larimer County could include the following scenarios:
- Daryl punches his wife Gina. Gina, who is cornered and doesn’t have another means of escape, punches him back so she can run.
- Danny is walking back to his car in a parking lot. A man accosts Danny and pulls a knife on him, telling him he’ll kill him if he doesn’t hand over his car keys. Danny pulls his gun out and shoots the man.
- Alyssa is in a verbal argument with her sister Lacey. Lacey suddenly gets angry and starts punching Alyssa. Alyssa punches Lacey back once, then runs out the door.
4. Do I Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Loveland and Estes Park?
If you defended yourself or another person from an attack in Loveland or Estes Park and you were charged with a crime, you need to hire a criminal defense lawyer. Even though you are the true victim – not the person you hurt while defending yourself – the Larimer County Sheriff and District Attorney will not listen to your story. Only a criminal defense lawyer will listen to you and protect your innocence at the Larimer County Courts. Don’t wait to contact the best lawyers who will ensure that you are not unjustly convicted, and call us today.
Have you been charged with a crime for exercising self-defense? First, be smart by exercising your right to remain silent. Then call our top criminal defense lawyers at (970) 658-0007 to discuss your charges. 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!
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