Larimer County Domestic Violence Lawyer

A domestic violence arrest in Larimer County sets off a chain of consequences that starts before you ever see the inside of a courtroom. A mandatory protection order goes into effect at booking, which can mean you are removed from your home, separated from your children, and prohibited from contacting your partner, all before the DA has decided whether to file charges. That is the reality of how these cases work in Colorado, and it is why having a Larimer County domestic violence lawyer involved early matters in a way it simply does not in other types of criminal cases.

Reid DeChant at DeChant Law has handled domestic violence cases across the Front Range, including in Adams, Denver, Broomfield, and surrounding counties. He came up as a public defender defending cases at every level of seriousness, from third-degree assault allegations to felony strangulation. That background shapes how he approaches these cases: with genuine care for what is at stake in your life, and a clear-eyed view of how prosecutors build and lose these cases.

What Makes Domestic Violence Charges Different in Colorado

Colorado does not treat domestic violence as a standalone charge. It is a sentence enhancer, which means it gets attached to an underlying offense, assault, harassment, false imprisonment, menacing, criminal mischief, and others. The moment that designation is added, the rules of the case change substantially.

Mandatory arrest is one of those changes. Colorado law requires officers to make an arrest when they have probable cause to believe domestic violence occurred. Officers do not have discretion to let the parties work it out. Someone is leaving in handcuffs. A mandatory protection order then gets issued at first appearance, and the court cannot lift it during the pendency of the case, regardless of what the alleged victim wants.

That last point surprises people. The alleged victim does not get to drop the charges. The District Attorney’s office in Larimer County makes that call, and prosecutors in Fort Collins and Loveland are well aware that alleged victims frequently recant or refuse to cooperate. They have built their charging and trial practices around exactly that dynamic. They will pursue a case using prior statements, 911 recordings, officer testimony, photos, medical records, and other evidence independent of what the alleged victim says on the witness stand. Assuming the case will simply go away because the other person does not want it to proceed is a mistake Reid sees people make repeatedly.

The Larimer County Court System and How These Cases Move

Domestic violence cases in Larimer County are handled in the Larimer County Combined Courts in Fort Collins, or in the Loveland Municipal Court depending on jurisdiction and charge level. Misdemeanor domestic violence cases can move quickly, and pressure to resolve them through a plea can build fast, especially when someone is stuck under a protection order that is keeping them out of their home.

That pressure is intentional. Quick resolution often benefits the prosecution more than it benefits the defendant. A guilty plea to even a misdemeanor domestic violence charge carries lifelong consequences under federal law: a permanent prohibition on possessing firearms under the Lautenberg Amendment. That is not a fine or a suspended license. It is a federal firearms disability that follows a person indefinitely and cannot be erased by a state record seal.

The immigration consequences are also serious. For non-citizen defendants, a domestic violence conviction can trigger deportation proceedings and bar reentry. Reid has experience handling cases where immigration status is a central concern, and he approaches those cases with an understanding of how plea agreements need to be structured to avoid collateral consequences that a standard criminal defense attorney might overlook.

The Larimer County DA’s office operates a dedicated domestic violence unit. These prosecutors are experienced, they know the case law, and they know the defenses. Having a defense attorney who has actually tried these cases matters, not just one who talks about it.

What Actually Happens in These Cases at Trial

Reid trained at Trial Lawyers College, where he developed his approach to storytelling in the courtroom. That training is not abstract. Domestic violence cases are among the most emotionally charged a jury will hear, and how the defense presents the complete story of two people’s relationship, what led to an incident, what has been left out of the police report, what the alleged victim actually said versus what an officer summarized, can determine the outcome.

Common defense angles in these cases are more varied than people assume. The alleged victim’s account may be inconsistent with physical evidence. The arrest may have followed a 911 call made in anger during an argument rather than an actual assault. The protection order violation may be the most serious charge even though the underlying incident was minor. Prior bad act evidence the prosecution wants to introduce may be challengeable. And in cases involving strangulation, assault with a deadly weapon, or other serious charges, forensic and medical evidence often tells a different story than the initial police report.

DeChant Law’s results page includes a harassment and domestic violence case in Adams County where the DA dismissed at trial, a felony menacing domestic violence case that was court-dismissed on a motion, a strangulation domestic violence case dismissed by the DA at trial, and a third-degree assault and false imprisonment domestic violence case that ended in a not-guilty verdict at trial. These are real outcomes from real cases. They do not guarantee any result in your case, but they reflect the level of engagement these cases receive.

Answers to Questions Larimer County Defendants Actually Ask

Can I contact my partner while the protection order is in place?

No. A mandatory protection order prohibits contact until the court modifies or lifts it. This order binds you, not the alleged victim. If your partner reaches out to you, you are still the one who faces charges for responding. A violation can be charged as a separate criminal offense, sometimes more serious than the underlying domestic violence charge.

What if the alleged victim wants to drop the charges or refuses to testify?

The DA makes the charging decision, not the alleged victim. Prosecutors in Larimer County are trained to pursue cases where the complaining witness is uncooperative. They use prior recorded statements, medical and 911 records, and officer testimony. The case may still proceed, and the alleged victim could be subpoenaed and compelled to testify.

Will a domestic violence conviction show up on background checks?

Yes. Domestic violence convictions are not eligible for record sealing in Colorado. This is a significant distinction from other misdemeanor offenses, many of which can eventually be sealed. A domestic violence conviction remains on your record permanently and will appear in standard background checks used by employers, landlords, and licensing boards.

I was arrested but the officer did not witness anything. Does that matter?

It can, depending on the evidence. When an arrest is based solely on a statement made by one party, the case depends heavily on the credibility of that account and whether physical evidence corroborates it. These fact patterns create real defense opportunities, but they have to be developed carefully before important deadlines pass.

How does a domestic violence charge affect child custody?

A domestic violence designation has direct implications in family court. Colorado courts are required to consider domestic violence in custody determinations. Even a dismissed criminal charge can surface in a parenting dispute if it was documented. The criminal case and any parallel family court proceedings need to be handled with that relationship in mind.

Does a first-time offender get treated differently in Larimer County?

Sometimes. First-time misdemeanor domestic violence cases may be candidates for a deferred sentence or treatment-based resolution, but those outcomes are not guaranteed and come with conditions. Even a deferred judgment includes a period of probation and a domestic violence treatment program requirement. Whether that path makes sense depends on the specific facts, the underlying charge, and what collateral consequences a conviction would trigger in your particular situation.

What is the first thing I should do after an arrest?

Do not discuss the incident with anyone other than your attorney. That includes your partner, family members, or friends. Statements made after an arrest, even in what feels like a private conversation, can become evidence. Get legal representation before your first court appearance, which in Larimer County typically happens within one business day of arrest.

Talk to a Domestic Violence Defense Attorney in Larimer County

These cases do not slow down on their own. Protection orders restrict your daily life the moment they are issued, and the decisions made in the first days after an arrest shape everything that follows. DeChant Law handles domestic violence defense across the Front Range, including Larimer County, and Reid approaches every case with the same tenacity he brings to cases that go all the way to trial. If you are facing a domestic violence charge in Fort Collins, Loveland, or anywhere in Larimer County, reach out to discuss what a Larimer County domestic violence attorney can do in your specific situation.