Assault Attorney in Fort Collins

Over 20 Years in Larimer County Courts. Direct Attorney Access from Day One.

An assault charge in Colorado carries consequences that reach well beyond the courtroom. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony, the decisions made in the first days after an arrest can shape your entire case. At The Law Offices of Thomas W. Martin, LLC, you work directly with Tom Martin, an assault attorney with over 20 years of criminal defense experience and more than 1,000 cases handled in Larimer and Weld County courts. There’s no intake staff, no paralegal handoff. Tom handles every case personally, from your first call through final resolution.

What you say before an attorney is involved can be used against you. The sooner you have experienced counsel in your corner, the more options you may preserve.

If you’re facing an assault charge in Fort Collins, call (970) 444-9448 to schedule a free consultation with Tom Martin by phone, virtual meeting, or in-person appointment.

Colorado Assault Charges: Three Degrees, Very Different Stakes

Colorado law defines three degrees of assault under CRS 18-3-202 through 18-3-204. The degree charged depends on the alleged conduct, the severity of any injury, and whether a weapon or a protected victim class was involved.

Third-Degree Assault

A class 1 misdemeanor under CRS 18-3-204, third-degree assault covers knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person. Colorado courts have held that pain alone, without a visible injury, can satisfy this standard. Because third-degree assault is classified as an extraordinary-risk crime under Colorado law, a conviction can carry up to 18 months in county jail and fines up to $1,000, though actual sentencing depends on the specific facts of the case.

Second-Degree Assault

A class 4 felony under CRS 18-3-203, second-degree assault typically involves intentionally causing serious bodily injury, using a deadly weapon to cause bodily injury, or assaulting a peace officer or medical provider. The presumptive sentencing range is generally 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Many second-degree assault charges also qualify as a crime of violence under CRS 18-1.3-406, which can raise the mandatory sentencing range to 5 to 16 years and eliminate probation as an option.

First-Degree Assault

The most serious of the three, first-degree assault under CRS 18-3-202 is a class 3 felony. It applies to conduct such as intentionally causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, permanently disfiguring another person, or acting in a way that creates a grave risk of death. Because first-degree assault is a per se crime of violence under Colorado law, the mandatory sentencing range can be 10 to 32 years in the Department of Corrections, subject to case-specific factors.

Designations That Raise the Stakes Further

Two designations can make an already serious charge significantly more serious. A crime of violence enhancement under CRS 18-1.3-406 can eliminate probation as a sentencing option and require a mandatory minimum prison term. If the alleged assault occurred in the context of an intimate relationship, Colorado law may impose a domestic violence designation, which triggers additional sentencing and treatment requirements.

Misdemeanor assault cases in Fort Collins are heard in Larimer County Court. Felony charges proceed through the 8th Judicial District Court. Both are located at the Larimer County Justice Center.

What a Conviction Can Cost You Beyond the Sentence

The jail or prison exposure is only part of the picture. An assault conviction creates a criminal record that follows you into employment screening, professional licensing applications, housing approvals, and family court matters. Under Colorado law, record sealing rules for violent offenses are more restrictive than for other crime categories, which means a conviction may remain publicly visible longer than most people expect.

A heat-of-passion finding is one factor that can affect both the felony class and the long-term record. If established, it can reduce a first-degree assault charge from a class 3 to a class 5 felony or reduce a second-degree charge from a class 4 to a class 6 felony. That difference carries real weight in plea negotiations and at sentencing.

Why Fort Collins Assault Defendants Work With Tom Martin

Our firm focuses solely on criminal defense. That focus means Tom Martin knows how the Larimer County District Attorney’s Office approaches assault cases, how judges at the Larimer County Justice Center handle these matters, and where the realistic pressure points are in the local court system. That knowledge shapes strategy before a single document is filed.

Clients throughout Northern Colorado choose The Law Offices of Thomas W. Martin, LLC for a consistent set of reasons:

• Direct attorney access: Tom Martin handles your case personally. You won’t be passed to staff.
• Over 20 years of criminal defense experience in Larimer and Weld County courts
• Transparent, fair fees with no surprises about what representation costs
• Trial-ready representation: We’re prepared to take a case to trial when that’s the right path.
• Flexible consultations: Phone, virtual, or in-person, your choice

Start with a Free Consultation

A free initial consultation gives you the chance to describe what happened, understand the charges you’re facing, and ask questions without any obligation. Tom Martin can review the facts and give you an honest assessment of where things stand and what your options may be.

Call (970) 444-9448 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule a free consultation by phone, virtual meeting, or in-person appointment.