Being a defense attorney is always a challenging job. It brings lots of pressure, challenge, and higher expectations. If a person has been charged with a domestic violence offense in Colorado then it is quite critical for him to get all the information about Colorado Domestic Violence Laws and sentencing. Any experienced Denver domestic violence attorney can explain to you that what does different charges imply and will make sure that you are fully aware of all the possible outcomes before you even put a step into the courtroom.
Here are various information which an attorney needs to explain to its client regarding domestic violence laws
What is really domestic violence?
Quite often, the accused is not even aware that he has committed a domestic violence. It is quite important that the attorney explains to its client that domestic violence constitutes a pattern of abusive behavior by which a person attempts to control his or her spouse (or intimate partner) through physical violence, verbal threats, psychological trauma or sexual abuse.
In legal terms, the domestic violence involves an act or threatened an act of violence upon a person by the actor to whom he/she is or has been involved in an intimate relationship. It also includes any other crime against a person or the person's property or municipal ordinance violation against a person or person's property. The domestic violence is used as a method of coercion, punishment, control, intimidation, or revenge directed against the intimate partner with whom the actor is or has been involved in an intimate relationship.
An intimate relationship is also further defined as a relationship between spouses, former spouses, past or presents unmarried couples or persons who are both parents of the same child regardless of whether both persons have been married or have lived together at any given period of time (Colorado Revised Status Section 18-6-800.3(2)).
To be accounted for domestic violence, the couple involved does not need to be sexually intimate. They should merely need to represent themselves as a couple, of the different sexes or the same sex. Actually, Domestic violence is not a crime itself, it is an enhancement to other criminal offenses such as beating, harassment, assault, trespassing, and destruction of property. After conviction, the domestic violence enhancement carries further sentencing considerations.
Various forms of domestic violence -
1. Physical violence-
a. pushing, shoving, biting, slapping, kicking.
b. Choking, pinching, hitting, grabbing, pulling, beating.
c. shooting, stabbing.
d. locking out of the house.
e. breaking or throwing objects.
f. destruction of objects or property.
g. threatening with a weapon.
h. refusing assistance while sick or pregnant.
i. Physical restraint.
j. cutting off victim's hairs without consent.
k. use of any object to cause pain, punishment to intimidate.
2. Sexual abuse -
a. forced sex.
b. rape.
c. unwanted touching and fondling.
d. ritual abuse.
e. sexual innuendos.
f. the accusation of infidelity.
g. forcing a partner to wear a dress in a more sexual way than is comfortable for him or her.
h. forcing a partner to strip or perform different sexual acts.
i. forcing sex while others watch.
j. Beating for sex.
k. Using sex for bargain, manipulation, and punishment.
3. Emotional abuse -
a. Ignoring deliberately.
b. yelling every time.
c. calling by different vulgar and demeaning names.
d. constantly criticizing or weight, color, or beauty issues.
e. telling the victim that they are worthless, careless, and stupid.
f. harassment.
g. veiled threats.
h. Isolating victim from children, friends, and family.
i. forbidding to socialize, work, drive, or make a decision about personal issues.
j. threatening suicide and homicide.
k. threatening for abandonment and kidnapping.
l. Hurting family, friends, and pets.
m. manipulating with lies and contradictory statements.
n. suppressing victim's self-esteem.
o. stopping communicating with the victim.
p. blaming.
q. humiliating in public.
r. preventing the victim from going to the place of work or worship.
s. destroying victim's personal items like mobile phone, computer, laptops, collectibles, clothing, or any other object.
4. Economic Abuse -
a. withdrawing money from a joint account without telling the partner.
b. Stealing share-able property or possessions.
c. Hiding money from a partner.
d. Not allowing access to the financial documents.
e. Not giving any tips and input for financial decisions.
f. not allowing control of money, financial accounts, and documents.
g. destroying victim's debit/credit cards.
h. Asking money by intimidation.
i. preventing the victim from getting a job.
j. refusing to pay child support.
The domestic violence defense attorney must also tell the clients that the domestic violence can be subtle, indirect, or unintentional also. Various times when the client just wants to make an impression on his or her partner, the commits some acts which are innocent and cute according to them. But they do not understand that it is a potential crime under the eyes of the law.
a. Using sarcastic comments.
b. Always contradicting with partner's statements.
c. Underestimating the partner's achievements.
d. Forcing them to do your own work.