This is the most common and most costly mistake I see. Officers are not required to be accurate about what they know, your statement is written down by someone building a case, and an innocent explanation that contains one wrong detail becomes an inconsistency the prosecution uses later. You can decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer without that being used against you. Say that, and say nothing else.

Months, usually, and sometimes longer than a year for a serious felony. Misdemeanors tend to move faster than felonies, and cases that resolve early move faster than cases that are contested. Delay is often useful rather than harmful, because it creates time to investigate, to get evaluations completed, and to let a weak case weaken further. Patience is genuinely part of the strategy.

nvolving lesbian couples. I understand the unique considerations of these cases compared to domestic violence in heterosexual relationships. If you are a woman facing accusations of violence against a female partner, now is the time to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney about your legal rights.

Because a mandatory protection order issues in every Colorado domestic violence case at or before the first appearance, and it usually bars contact with the protected person, which can include the home you share. You may be able to arrange a civil standby with law enforcement to retrieve belongings. Do not go back on your own, and do not go because the protected person invited you. That contact is a separate criminal charge.