As crazy as it sounds, Domestic Violence charges in Douglas County and across Colorado, can be attached to any underlying crime, including Theft. Domestic Violence (DV) is not a criminal offense in and of itself. It is called a “sentence enhancer,” and is located in Colorado law at C.R.S. 18-6-800.3. Here, the Colorado legislature has broadly written the law in order to enhance just about any crime involving two people who have been in an intimate relationship.
Under Broadly Written Law, Everything Can Be Domestic Violence
Plain and simple, in order to please special interests groups, Colorado Domestic Violence law is written too broadly. Let’s take a few key words from the DV statute. “Intimate relationship” is now defined to include persons who have not been involved in a sexual relationship. “Domestic Violence” now includes crimes against animals! It also includes any other crime which can be interpreted to involve “coercion, control, punishment, intimidation, or revenge.” Under this broad definition a harassing phone call is DV. Littering can be DV. Criminal Mischief against property can be DV. Even selling a commonly owned item, like a TV, can be DV. So, we see Domestic Violence animal theft, DV harassment, DV Criminal Mischief, and Domestic Violence Third Degree Assault for pushing someone.
Police, DA’s and Judges are Impacted by the Overly Broad Law
When a law is written too broad, men and women learn to manipulate police officers into charging their ex. More specifically, we see Castle Rock Police Officers or a Douglas County Sheriff Deputy manipulated by women who make allegations against men they’ve broken up with. With a rescue mentality, most men officers in these law enforcement positions are easy prey to cute women claiming to be victims. They charge the man 90% of the time based on the word of the woman – no injury, no evidence, no problem.
Since the Douglas County District Attorney’s offices receive tax dollars to fund a victim’s rights program, they hire Victim’s Advocates who coddle these would be victims by hand holding in court, passing out Kleenex tissues and secreting away their “victims” to tax payer funded courthouse hideouts. Heaven forbid a defense attorney talk with one of these “victims” and get at the truth as to what really happened!
Judges are even hog tied when it comes to Domestic Violence cases. Constrained by things like the Victim’s Bill of Rights, judges can’t modify a bond, accept a plea deal or conduct a sentencing hearing in Douglas County unless the District Attorney has consulted with the alleged victim. We often travel repeatedly to the courthouse in Castle Rock because the DA has not fulfilled their obligation under the Victim’s Bill of Rights.
Trying to please everyone, the Colorado Legislature is filling the Douglas County Jail and the Colorado Department of Corrections Prison System at a record pace. Domestic Violence laws are written poorly and ordinary citizens are paying the price in terms of higher taxes, arrests and more criminal records.
Our Domestic Violence lawyers frequently handle cases in the Castle Rock Courthouse and Douglas County. We visit the Douglas County Jail on short notice to protect your loved ones. If the opportunity ever arises, never speak to the Parker Police, Castle Rock Police, Lone Tree Police or a Douglas Sheriff Deputy – they are not your friend. Instead, call us 24/7 at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.