Colorado takes domestic violence very seriously. The potential penalties for a domestic violence charge can be high, and you should understand the risks you face if police charge you with domestic violence in Colorado.

To start learning about this topic, here are three things you should know about domestic violence in Colorado. If you are facing charges, you should seek the professional assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

1. Colorado law requires an arrest

In Colorado, the law requires police officers to make an arrest if there are signs of domestic violence. Even if you are a first-time offender, if police suspect that you committed domestic violence, they will arrest you. That means you will also have to spend time in jail because the law also requires for you to appear before a judge so the judge can advise you of a mandatory restraining order. In short, domestic violence law in Colorado means from the moment police suspect you of this crime, they immediately arrest you and bring you into the legal system.

2. You will have to give up your firearms

If police arrest you on suspicion of domestic violence, the law requires you to surrender any firearms you own. This means you must give up any legally owned firearms prior to a possible conviction. The law does not permit anyone charged with domestic violence to possess a firearm.

3. Military members may lose their career  

If you are a member of the armed forces, you could risk losing your military career if you have a domestic violence charge or conviction. Colorado hosts several military bases and installations, including Air Force Academy, Peterson Air Force Base, Fort Carson, and Schriever Air Force Base. Domestic violence committed by service members could have mitigating factors, such as if a service member suffers from PTSD after a tour of duty. Therefore, it is important to seek out a criminal defense attorney who understands the unique needs of military service members.