Sawyer Legal Group LLC

Talk To An Attorney – Now: 303-731-0719

  • Home
  • About
  • Crime Definitions
  • Practice Areas
    • Crimes A-Z
    • Domestic Violence
    • Person / Violent Crimes
    • Sexual Offenses
    • Property Crimes
    • Juvenile Crimes
    • DUI / DWAI / Traffic
  • Case Results
  • FAQ
  • Blog
  • Contact
CLOSE MENU X

How Can We Help?

Charged With A Crime? It Doesn’t Mean You’re Guilty.

Image of Kyle B. Sawyer
  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Crime Definitions
  4.  » 
  5. Assault in the Second Degree Definition

Assault In The Second Degree Definition

Assault In The Second Degree, C.R.S. 18-3-203

The Lawyer’s Definition of Assault in the Second Degree in Colorado is:

(1) A person commits the crime of assault in the second degree if:

(a) Repealed.

(b) With intent to cause bodily injury to another person, he or she causes such injury to any person by means of a deadly weapon; or

(c) With intent to prevent one whom he or she knows, or should know, to be a peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical care provider, or emergency medical service provider from performing a lawful duty, he or she intentionally causes bodily injury to any person; or

(c.5) With intent to prevent one whom he or she knows, or should know, to be a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider from performing a lawful duty, he or she intentionally causes serious bodily injury to any person; or

(d) He recklessly causes serious bodily injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon; or

(e) For a purpose other than lawful medical or therapeutic treatment, he intentionally causes stupor, unconsciousness, or other physical or mental impairment or injury to another person by administering to him, without his consent, a drug, substance, or preparation capable of producing the intended harm; or

(f) While lawfully confined or in custody, he or she knowingly and violently applies physical force against the person of a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider engaged in the performance of his or her duties, or a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction, or an officer of said court, or, while lawfully confined or in custody as a result of being charged with or convicted of a crime or as a result of being charged as a delinquent child or adjudicated as a delinquent child, he or she knowingly and violently applies physical force against a person engaged in the performance of his or her duties while employed by or under contract with a detention facility, as defined in section 18-8-203 (3), or while employed by the division in the department of human services responsible for youth services and who is a youth services counselor or is in the youth services worker classification series, and the person committing the offense knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical service provider engaged in the performance of his or her duties, or a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction, or an officer of said court, or a person engaged in the performance of his or her duties while employed by or under contract with a detention facility or while employed by the division in the department of human services responsible for youth services. A sentence imposed pursuant to this paragraph (f) shall be served in the department of corrections and shall run consecutively with any sentences being served by the offender; except that, if the offense is committed against a person employed by the division in the department of human services responsible for youth services, the court may grant probation or a suspended sentence in whole or in part, and the sentence may run concurrently or consecutively with any sentences being served. A person who participates in a work release program, a furlough, or any other similar authorized supervised or unsupervised absence from a detention facility, as defined in section 18-8-203 (3), and who is required to report back to the detention facility at a specified time is deemed to be in custody.

(f.5) (I) While lawfully confined in a detention facility within this state, a person with intent to infect, injure, harm, harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm a person in a detention facility whom the actor knows or reasonably should know to be an employee of a detention facility, causes such employee to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, saliva, mucus, vomit, or any toxic, caustic, or hazardous material by any means, including but not limited to throwing, tossing, or expelling such fluid or material.

(II) Repealed.

(III) (A) As used in this paragraph (f.5), “detention facility” means any building, structure, enclosure, vehicle, institution, or place, whether permanent or temporary, fixed or mobile, where persons are or may be lawfully held in custody or confinement under the authority of the state of Colorado or any political subdivision of the state of Colorado.

(B) As used in this paragraph (f.5), “employee of a detention facility” includes employees of the department of corrections, employees of any agency or person operating a detention facility, law enforcement personnel, and any other persons who are present in or in the vicinity of a detention facility and are performing services for a detention facility. “Employee of a detention facility” does not include a person lawfully confined in a detention facility.

(g) With intent to cause bodily injury to another person, he or she causes serious bodily injury to that person or another; or

(h) With intent to infect, injure, or harm another person whom the actor knows or reasonably should know to be engaged in the performance of his or her duties as a peace officer, a firefighter, an emergency medical care provider, or an emergency medical service provider, he or she causes such person to come into contact with blood, seminal fluid, urine, feces, saliva, mucus, vomit, or any toxic, caustic, or hazardous material by any means, including by throwing, tossing, or expelling such fluid or material.

(i) With the intent to cause bodily injury, he or she applies sufficient pressure to impede or restrict the breathing or circulation of the blood of another person by applying such pressure to the neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of the other person and thereby causes bodily injury.

(2) (a) If assault in the second degree is committed under circumstances where the act causing the injury is performed upon a sudden heat of passion, caused by a serious and highly provoking act of the intended victim, affecting the person causing the injury sufficiently to excite an irresistible passion in a reasonable person, and without an interval between the provocation and the injury sufficient for the voice of reason and humanity to be heard, it is a class 6 felony.

(b) If assault in the second degree is committed without the circumstances provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2), it is a class 4 felony.

(b.5) Assault in the second degree by any person under subsection (1) of this section without the circumstances provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) is a class 3 felony if the person who is assaulted, other than a participant in the crime, suffered serious bodily injury during the commission or attempted commission of or flight from the commission or attempted commission of murder, robbery, arson, burglary, escape, kidnapping in the first degree, sexual assault, sexual assault in the first or second degree as such offenses existed prior to July 1, 2000, or class 3 felony sexual assault on a child.

(c) (I) If a defendant is convicted of assault in the second degree pursuant to paragraph (c.5) of subsection (1) of this section or paragraph (b.5) of this subsection (2), except with respect to sexual assault or sexual assault in the first degree as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, the court shall sentence the defendant in accordance with the provisions of section 18-1.3-406. A defendant convicted of assault in the second degree pursuant to paragraph (b.5) of this subsection (2) with respect to sexual assault or sexual assault in the first degree as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, shall be sentenced in accordance with section 18-1.3-401(8)(e) or (8)(e.5).

(II) If a defendant is convicted of assault in the second degree pursuant to paragraph (b), (c), (d), or (g) of subsection (1) of this section, the court shall sentence the offender in accordance with section 18-1.3-406; except that, notwithstanding the provisions of section 18-1.3-406, the court is not required to sentence the defendant to the department of corrections for a mandatory term of incarceration.

(3) Repealed.

This is the definition which courts and attorneys use in Arapahoe County and Jefferson County, Colorado, when people are charged with this felony.

Read more about Assault in the Second Degree.

Facing Charges? Get Help Now!
Facing Charges? Get Help Now!

Practice Areas

  • Crimes A-Z
    • Assaults
      • Assaults In The First Degree
      • Assaults In The Second Degree
      • Assault In The Third Degree
    • Child Abuse
      • Dependency And Neglect Resulting From Child Abuse
      • Felony Child Abuse
      • Misdemeanor Child Abuse
      • Trails Listing At DHS
    • City & Municipal Courts
      • Aurora Municipal Court
      • Castle Rock Municipal Court
      • Denver Municipal Court
      • Lakewood Municipal Court
      • Public Nuisance In Denver
      • Westminster Municipal Court
      • Wheat Ridge Municipal Court
    • Courts, Probation And Procedures
      • Arrest And Jail Process
      • Attempt To Commit A Crime
      • Attorney Fees For Criminal Cases
      • Bail/Bond Procedures
      • Colorado Courts Map
      • Conspiracy To Commit A Crime
      • Contempt Charges By A Court
      • Counties In Colorado: Find Your County
      • Court Hearings In Criminal Cases
      • Courthouses
      • Entrapment As A Defense
      • Expungement Of Juvenile Records
      • Extradition To and From Colorado
      • Insanity And Incompetency
      • Jury Trials – When & Why?
      • Miranda Rights
      • Municipal/Petty Crime Record Sealing
      • Municipal Courts
      • Plea Bargains
      • Presentence Investigation Report
      • Probation Sentence/Probation Officers
      • Probation Violations
      • Record Sealing
      • Restitution From Criminal Convictions
      • Sealing Of Drug Convictions In Colorado
      • Sentencing In Criminal Cases
      • Subpoena Service Of Process
      • Violation Of Bail Bond Conditions
      • Voting With A Felony Or Misdemeanor
      • Warrants
    • Cruelty To Animals In Colorado
    • Disorderly Conduct in Colorado
    • Drug Charges
      • Cocaine Possession
      • Crack Cocaine Possession
      • Ecstasy Possession
      • Heroin Possession
      • Marijuana (Marihuana) Cultivation
      • Marijuana On Probation
      • Marijuana Possession
      • Methamphetamine/Meth Possession
      • Schedule I Or II Drugs Without Prescription
      • Schedule Of Drug Offenses
    • Firearms Rights & Crimes
      • Concealed Carry Permit
      • Illegal Discharge Of A Firearm
      • Possession Of A Concealed Weapon
      • Possession of an Illegal or Dangerous Weapon
      • Possession Of A Weapon – Previous Offender
      • Possession Of Handgun By Juvenile
      • Prohibited Use of Weapons
      • Purchase & Sale Of Firearms
    • Fraud/Forgery
      • Casino Fraudulent Acts
      • Check Fraud
      • Criminal Extortion
      • Criminal Impersonation in Colorado
      • False Information To A Pawn Broker
      • Forgery In Colorado
      • Gambling And Casino Crimes
      • Identity Theft In Colorado
      • Unauthorized Use Of A Financial Transaction Device
    • Internet Sex Crimes
      • Enticement Of A Child
      • Indeterminate Sentence Sex Crimes
      • Indeterminate Sentencing In Colorado
      • Internet Luring of a Child
      • Internet Sexual Exploitation of a Child
      • Sexual Exploitation of a Child
    • Jail and Prison Information
      • Adams County Jail
      • Arapahoe County Jail
      • Community Corrections
      • Denver County Jail And Detention
      • DNA Expungement
      • Douglas County Jail
      • Inmate Communication
      • Introducing Contraband
      • Jail And Prison Life
      • Jail Intake/Entry
      • Jail Visit By A Lawyer
      • Jefferson County Jail
      • Parole From Prison
      • Parole Revocation Hearings
      • Prison & Department of Corrections
      • Work Release From Jail
    • Police-Involved Crimes
      • Assault in the Second Degree – Police
      • Escape In Colorado
      • False Reporting In Colorado
      • Impersonating A Peace/Police Officer
      • Obstruction In Colorado
      • Resisting Arrest In Colorado
    • Restraining Orders
      • Civil Protection Order Dismissal & Modification
      • Civil Restraining/Protection Orders In Criminal Cases
      • Criminal Restraining Orders In Colorado
      • Violation Of A Protection Order
    • Witness And Victim Crimes
      • Aggravated Intimidation Of A Victim Or Witness
      • Bribing Or Bribery Of Witness Or Victim
      • Intimidation of a Witness or Victim
      • Perjury In Colorado
      • Retaliation Against A Witness Or Victim
      • Witness or Victim Tampering
  • Domestic Violence
    • Civil Assist In Domestic Violence
    • Domestic Violence Definition
    • Domestic Violence Protection/Restraining Orders In Colorado
    • Domestic Violence Treatment In Colorado
    • Firearms And Domestic Violence
    • Intimate Relationship – Sex Not Required
    • Victim’s Advocates
  • Person and Violent Crimes
    • At Risk Adults & Juveniles
    • False Imprisonment
    • Harassment In Colorado
    • Kidnapping
    • Manslaughter in Colorado
    • Menacing
    • Murder / Homicide
    • Obstructing a Peace Officer in Colorado
    • Obstruction of Telephone Service
    • Reckless Endangerment
    • Resisting Arrest Charges in Colorado
    • Robbery
    • Stalking Definition
  • Sexual Offenses
    • Failure To Register As A Sex Offender In Colorado
    • Incest & Aggravated Incest In Colorado
    • Indecent Exposure in Colorado
    • Invasion of Privacy for Sexual Gratification
    • Class 6 Felony Sexual Assault, Child Victim
    • Promotion Of Obscenity To A Minor
    • Prostitution, Solicitation And Pimping In Colorado
    • Public Indecency
    • Sex Offender Deregistration In Colorado
    • Sex Offender Registration
    • Sex Offender Sentencing
    • Sex Offender Treatment Overview
    • Sexual Assault Charges in Colorado
    • Sexual Assault Felony Charges in Colorado
    • Sexual Assault on a Child
    • Pattern of Sexual Abuse, Defined
    • Sexual Assault on a Child, Position of Trust
    • Sexual Assault Misdemeanor Charges in Colorado
    • Unlawful Sexual Contact
  • Property Crimes
    • Arson
      • First-Degree Arson
      • Fourth-Degree Arson
      • Second-Degree Arson
      • Third-Degree Arson
    • Burglary
      • First Degree Burglary
      • Possession Of Burglary Tools
      • Second Degree Burglary
      • Third Degree Burglary
      • Burglary Law Changes in Colorado
    • Criminal Mischief In Colorado
    • Theft And Embezzlement
      • Accessory to Crime & Complicity
      • Motor Vehicle Theft
      • Computer Crime
      • Construction Trust Fund Theft
      • Embezzlement
      • Felony Theft In Colorado
      • Misdemeanor Theft In Colorado
      • Shoplifting Theft In Colorado
    • Juvenile Crimes
      • Direct Filing
      • Interference With Educational Institutions
      • Juvenile Detention Facilities
      • Juvenile Record Expungement
      • Juvenile Sexting And Texting In Colorado
      • Juvenile Sexual Assault on a Child in Colorado
      • Minor in Possession of Alcohol
      • Our Juvenile Justice System
    • Trespassing/Trespass
      • First-Degree Criminal Trespass
      • Second-Degree Criminal Trespass
      • Third-Degree Criminal Trespass
  • DUI / DWAI / Traffic
    • Breathalyzer Test
    • DMV Hearing
    • Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol
    • Driving While Ability Impaired By Alcohol
    • DUI/DWAI Expressed Consent
    • DWAI/DUI Blood Alcohol Content (Blood Alcohol Concentration)
    • Felony DUI In Colorado
    • Field Sobriety Test
    • Handling The Colorado DUI/DWAI Stop
    • Unlawful Acts – Alcohol
    • What Is The Difference Between DUI And DWAI?
    • Traffic Crimes
      • Accident Involving Damage
      • Accidents Involving Death or Personal Injuries
      • Careless Driving
      • Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Hearings in Colorado
      • DMV Point System in Colorado
      • Driving Under Restraint in Colorado
      • Failure To Report An Accident
      • Habitual Traffic Offender & Aggravated Driving
      • Hit and Run – Leaving the Scene of an Accident
      • OJW – Outstanding Judgment Warrant
      • Probationary Driver’s License
      • Reckless Driving
      • Speeding Tickets
      • Vehicular Assault In Colorado
      • Vehicular Eluding In Colorado
      • Vehicular Homicide
  • Sex Offenses – An Overview
  • Rape, Sexual Assault, Date Rape And Statutory Rape
  • Victimless Sex Offenses
  • Sex Offender Registry
  • False Allegations
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Sex Offenses
  • Sex Offenses – Resource Links

Don’t Talk To The Police – Talk To Us.

Evaluate My Case

Contact Us

Denver Office

3801 E. Florida Avenue
Suite 725
Denver, CO 80210

Denver Office

Castle Rock Office

309 Jerry St
Suite 105
Castle Rock, CO 80104

Castle Rock Office

Westminster Office

1490 West 121st Avenue
Suite 102
Westminster, CO 80234

Westminster Office

Phone:
1-866-365-9351

Phone:
303-731-0719

  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
  • Follow
Review Us

© 2026 Sawyer Legal Group, LLC • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw