If you are facing Assault in the Third Degree charges in Fort Collins, Colorado, it is in your best interest to hire a top Larimer County criminal defense lawyer. Assault in the Third Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-204, is the most common Assault charge in Colorado. This offense is generally charged when one person causes minor bodily injury to another person – including simply causing physical pain. This crime is a misdemeanor, but can come with weighty penalties nonetheless. Don’t wait if you are facing criminal Third Degree Assault charges, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney today.
Larimer County Definition of Assault in the Third Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-204
The Larimer County definition of Assault in the Third Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-204, is as follows:
(a) The person knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person or with criminal negligence the person causes bodily injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon; or
(b) The person, with intent to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm another person whom the actor knows or reasonably should know to be a peace officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical care provider, or an emergency medical service provider, causes the other person to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, saliva, mucus, vomit, or toxic, caustic, or hazardous material by any means, including throwing, tossing, or expelling the fluid or material.
Assault in the Third Degree is most often charged when a person causes non-serious bodily injury to another. Bodily injury is defined as “physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical or mental condition.” In other words, if you hurt another person, you don’t even need to leave behind a cut or bruise. If the victim alleges that you caused pain, you will then be charged with Third Degree Assault.
Examples of 3rd Degree Assault in Fort Collins
Some examples of 3rd Degree Assault in Fort Collins could include the following scenarios:
- Wendy spits in the face of a Fort Collins Police Officer after he arrests her.
- Peter uses his hunting knife to cut a fish he caught while at Horsetooth Reservoir. He accidentally cuts his friend Larry in the process.
- Alyssa and her friend Stacy get in a fight while in Old Town. Alyssa gets upset after one of Stacy’s remarks and slaps her. Stacy’s cheek is red, but she is otherwise not injured.
In the above examples, each person was charged with Assault in the Third Degree for causing non-serious bodily injury. The exception is Wendy, who is charged with 3rd Degree Assault for causing a police officer to come into contact with a bodily fluid.
Loveland Penalties for Third Degree Assault
In Loveland, 3rd Degree Assault is always a class 1 misdemeanor. A defendant convicted of this offense could face up to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Depending on the circumstances, a judge could also sentence a defendant to a mandatory anger management class.
If you are facing charges for Third Degree Assault, it is wise to hire a top criminal defense attorney. This misdemeanor offense may not seem to pose a threat to your future, but its consequences can be far-reaching. After you have completed your sentence requirements, you will still face numerous personal consequences due to your criminal record. Many people can attest to the difficulty of finding or maintaining a job after conviction of a misdemeanor offense. However, a top criminal defense lawyer can protect you from these consequences by representing you at your Larimer County Court hearings. Don’t wait: the sooner you hire a leading criminal defense attorney, the sooner you can have peace of mind.
Have you been charged with Assault in the Third Degree? Be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent. Then get in contact with a criminal lawyer with decades of experience at the O’Malley Law Office today at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. 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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