| The chain of events of a Colorado domestic violence | | | | direct or indirect contact and/or communication with |
| charge first start with the 911 call, then is followed by | | | | the alleged victim. |
| a charge and trial, and then the required post trial | | | | Second: The Charges & Trial |
| treatment. Colorado domestic violence laws do not | | | | In many cases, the alleged victim wishes to drop the |
| classify domestic violence as a crime itself, but an | | | | case and forgive the suspect. This, however, is not |
| enhancer attached to a separate, distinct crime | | | | going to cause the judge or the prosecutor to |
| committed against someone the suspect has or had | | | | dismiss the charges against the accused. Colorado DV |
| an intimate relationship with. Let's look in more details | | | | laws hold that the crime offends the dignity of the |
| at the chain of events of a typical domestic violence | | | | state and must therefore be duly sanctioned. Only |
| charge. | | | | the prosecuting attorney can decide whether to |
| First: The 911 Call | | | | proceed with the case or not. If he does not have |
| Regardless of who actually makes the call - whether | | | | sufficient evidence that violence happened, the |
| it is the alleged victim or a neighbor claiming to have | | | | charges likely will be dropped. |
| heard sounds of yelling and fighting - the police will | | | | Third: Post Trial Domestic Violence Treatment |
| have to make an arrest, so long as an allegation of | | | | Any person convicted, whether it is their first |
| domestic violence is made or there is probable cause | | | | conviction or not, is required to undergo mandatory |
| for the police to believe that an act of DV has | | | | violence therapy sessions at any of the |
| occurred. More often than not, it is the male who | | | | state-approved treatment facilities in Colorado. The |
| gets arrested. If you are arrested, you will have to | | | | number of therapy hours required varies based on |
| spend the night in jail until a hearing is held by a | | | | the nature of offense and the defendant's criminal |
| magistrate and you are allowed to post bail. If the | | | | history, along with the determination by the therapist |
| arrest occurs on a Friday night, something which | | | | of what may be appropriate and/or necessary. If are |
| frequently does happen, you will have to spend the | | | | convicted, you are expected to shoulder of |
| entire weekend in jail. You will also be issued a | | | | expenses. An hour's treatment session usually costs |
| restraining order that prevents you from going | | | | between $20 and $30. |
| anywhere near the alleged victim, along with having | | | | |