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Castle Rock Serious Bodily Injury Lawyer

Charged with a Serious Bodily Injury Enhancement?
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Finding yourself facing criminal charges can feel overwhelming. Your reputation, freedom, and future are on the line. Where do you turn for help? For residents of Castle Rock, Colorado, and the surrounding communities, our firm is here to provide experienced legal guidance during this difficult time.

As your dedicated Castle Rock serious bodily injury lawyers, we know that serious bodily injury allegations bring some of the most severe penalties in Colorado criminal law. But we also know every case is unique, with important nuances that could mean the difference between prison time and exoneration.

What Constitutes Serious Bodily Injury in Colorado?

Serious bodily injury involves a substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of function. Typically, broken bones and severe burns fall under serious bodily injury. Compare this to simple “bodily injury,” which refers to physical pain, illness, or any impairment, however minor.

The threshold for serious bodily injury is high. Not all grave harm meets this statutory definition. Our Castle Rock criminal defense lawyers can carefully analyze the injuries involved to determine whether they actually qualify.

Some common serious bodily injuries we see in Castle Rock assault cases include:

  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Head trauma like a traumatic brain injury
  • Damage to organs and internal systems
  • Significant lacerations or blood loss

The degree of injury involved has a major impact on the criminal charges and penalties you face.

How a Serious Bodily Injury Enhancement Affects Assault Charges

In Colorado, assault charges can be elevated if the victim sustains serious bodily injury. This applies to assault crimes, including sexual assault and domestic violence.

When an assault leads to grave injury, the assault shifts from a misdemeanor to a felony charge. Felonies bring harsher sentences and fines. Specifically:

  • Assault without serious injury equates to 3rd-degree assault, a misdemeanor.
  • Assault resulting in serious bodily harm becomes 2nd-degree assault, a felony with obligatory prison time.
  • Assault involving serious injury and a deadly weapon rises to 1st degree, also a felony with compulsory harsh penalties.
  • The designation as “serious bodily injury” tacks on further incarceration time and higher financial penalties.

Notably, the serious classification can apply if grave injury materializes instantly or later on due to initial assault effects. So, a case that begins as normal assault could transform into 2nd-degree assault if injuries eventually turn severe over time.

However, initial serious injuries followed by victim recovery do not lead to a lesser charge. The degree depends on the injury extent, regardless of the victim healing well later on.

As experienced Castle Rock criminal defense lawyers, we don’t just accept the charges at face value. The facts surrounding each case matter. From motive to self-defense claims to the viability of proof for the prosecution’s version of events – many factors can change the landscape of a case.

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How a Castle Rock Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Serious bodily injury charges should never be faced alone. As your defense counsel, we can provide a detailed investigation of the circumstances along with strategic advocacy at every stage, including:

  • Investigating Physical Evidence & Witness Accounts: We independently gather evidence to build the strongest counter-narrative to the prosecution’s claims. This can reveal flaws in the charges.
  • Advocating for Charge Reductions: If the injury doesn’t meet the “serious” threshold or intent is unclear, we can push for reduced charges.
  • Negotiating Plea Deals: Plea deals provide the ability to minimize penalties and avoid trial risk. We negotiate firmly to get probation, rehabilitation, and record sealing.
  • Providing an Aggressive Trial Defense: In cases where a settlement isn’t favorable, we aren’t afraid to take our fight into the courtroom for an acquittal. Our thorough preparation and trial experience gives our Castle Rock clients the greatest chance for a not-guilty verdict.

When freedom and reputation are at stake, you need strong advocacy.

Possible Castle Rock Serious Bodily Injury Defenses

While serious bodily injury charges can seem daunting, there are often strong defenses our attorneys pursue. Depending on the unique circumstances of your case, we may be able to argue:

  • Self-Defense: If you were protecting yourself from harm, the use of force may have been legally justified.
  • Lack of Intent: If your actions were an accident vs intentional, it could reduce charges.
  • Misidentification: Eyewitnesses can be mistaken. We scrutinize identification methods.
  • Unlawful Police Conduct: We look for issues with evidence collection or interrogation methods.
  • Defense of Others: Use of force to protect someone else from harm may be permitted.
  • Insanity/Diminished Mental Capacity: Mental deficiencies may show the accused did not act purposefully.
  • Consent: For contact sports injuries, consent may nullify assault claims.

An experienced Douglas County law firm can uncover and develop these defenses during our independent investigation of your charges.

Why Work With a Local Castle Rock Law Firm?

In cases involving complex criminal statutes and fact-intensive investigations like serious bodily injury allegations, local knowledge and connections can make a pivotal difference.

As your dedicated Castle Rock defense firm, here’s why our deep roots in this community translate to strategic advantages for your case:

  • Legal Insights: Over decades of practice focused on Castle Rock, we’ve cultivated an intimate understanding of local prosecutors, judges, and criminal statutes. We leverage this experience to build winning case strategies.
  • Reputation & Relationships: Our firm and attorneys are well-known and respected by prosecutors and judges in the jurisdiction. This credibility enhances our negotiation leverage.
  • Responsiveness & Accessibility: Located in Castle Rock, we’re able to meet in person and provide responsive, personalized attention to each case. Out-of-town lawyers can’t match this critical accessibility.

When your freedom is at stake, turn to the firm with proven experience and local roots to be your trusted ally – Right Law Group. Our team of dedicated Castle Rock criminal defense attorneys has the strategic criminal defense insights to build your strongest case.

Start Building Your Strongest Defense Strategy Today

Don’t leave your fate in the hands of the public defender or out-of-town attorneys detached from our community. The experienced Castle Rock serious bodily injury lawyers at Right Law Group are ready to aggressively defend you.

Contact our firm for a free case evaluation and start building an ironclad defense strategy with guidance from our award-winning attorneys. Together, we can fight for the charges to be dismissed, minimized, or beaten at trial.

With your freedom hanging in the balance, put our localized experience and strategic criminal defense counsel to work for you. Contact us online to get started today. The sooner we begin building your defense, the better.

Don’t Let One Wrong Decision Impact Your Life, Job or Freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I face the charges if the victim hits me first?

Yes, you can still face “serious bodily injury” charges even if the victim initiated physical contact first. Self-defense would need to be proven to fight the accusations.

Can I still be charged if the victim "eggs me on"?

Yes, even if the victim’s behavior helped provoke or escalate the situation, you can still face charges for causing injury. But this context can help mitigate punishment.

Does the injury need to be permanent to qualify as "serious"?

No, even temporary injuries like concussions or bone fractures can meet the “serious bodily injury” threshold under Colorado law if they involve a substantial risk of death or extended loss of function.

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