Assault Defense Attorney in Cortez, Colorado
Getting arrested for assault in Cortez can upend your life overnight. You face potential jail time, fines, a permanent criminal record, and the loss of your job or housing. Whether you're charged with third-degree assault (a misdemeanor) or first-degree assault (a felony), the stakes are high in Montezuma County courts. Barrie Newberger King defends clients facing all levels of assault charges throughout Montezuma County and the 22nd Judicial District. With eight years as a Deputy Public Defender, she knows how prosecutors build their cases because she used to be one. That insider knowledge makes all the difference when your freedom is on the line.
Assault charges don't always reflect what actually happened. False allegations, misunderstandings, and self-defense situations can all result in criminal charges. You need an attorney who understands Montezuma County courts and knows how to challenge the evidence against you.
Understanding Assault Charges in Montezuma County
Colorado law divides assault into three degrees. Third-degree assault is a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to 18 months in jail when someone knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury. Second-degree assault is a Class 4 felony with two to six years in prison for causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon. First-degree assault is a Class 3 felony with 10 to 32 years in prison for intentionally causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon or permanent disfigurement.
Penalties double if the alleged victim is a peace officer, firefighter, emergency responder, or considered "at-risk" under Colorado law. Asviolent crime charges, these cases require aggressive and experienced defense representation.
Why Former Prosecutors Make Better Defense Attorneys
Barrie spent eight years as a Deputy Public Defender in Southwest Colorado, including time as a Senior Deputy Public Defender. She knows how the District Attorney's office operates, which prosecutors negotiate and which push for trial, and where the holes in their cases usually appear. Georgetown Law trained her to dissect complex legal issues and find weaknesses others might miss. That experience lets her anticipate prosecution strategy and build your defense before they've finished preparing their case.
How Barrie Defends Assault Cases in Cortez
Every assault case starts with examining police reports, witness statements, and any video or medical evidence. Barrie looks for constitutional violations during the arrest, inconsistencies in witness testimony, and evidence supporting self-defense. If the police violated your rights, she files motions to suppress evidence.
Colorado law allows reasonable physical force to defend yourself or others from imminent harm, and she builds that defense by gathering witness statements, medical records, and evidence showing you were protecting yourself. Many assault cases are closely related to domestic violence situations, which require specialized understanding of family dynamics and protective orders.
She evaluates whether the prosecution can prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Barrie has represented clients in Montezuma County courts for over a decade and knows the local judges, prosecutors, and court procedures.
What to Do After an Assault Arrest in Cortez
Contact a defense attorney immediately, before you talk to police or prosecutors. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Observe all bond conditions and protection orders, because violating a protection order creates a new criminal case that's often easier to prove than the original assault charge.
Document everything supporting your defense: photographs of injuries, witness contact information, text messages, or social media posts. Do this quickly, because evidence disappears.
If you're facing assault charges in Montezuma County, Barrie offers a free confidential consultation to discuss your case. She's been defending clients in Southwest Colorado courts for over 11 years and understands the pressure you're under. Don't wait until the prosecution has built their entire case against you.