Assault on an Officer in Boulder

If you are convicted of assaulting an officer who is enforcing Colorado state laws while on duty, you can face two to six years of incarceration and be fined up to $500,000. Rather than taking your chances with an inexperienced assault defense attorney, you should hire Mike Petrash, who understands how the state’s prosecutors and criminal court system treat assault on an Officer in Boulder.

Attorney Mike Petrash served the community as a prosecutor for more than eight years before he leveraged his skills and experience to defend individuals charged with serious crimes. His firm, Petrash Law, respects all clients as individuals who have constitutionally guaranteed rights, aggressively fighting excessive charges to the fullest extent the facts and circumstances of each case allow.

What Constitutes Assault on an Officer?

Intent is a necessary component of an indictment for assaulting an officer. If a prosecutor cannot prove intent beyond a reasonable doubt, a defense lawyer will argue for dismissal of the charges.

In criminal proceedings, a defendant’s intent can be very subjective and open to levels of interpretation. A prosecutor might argue, for example, that a defendant could reasonably foresee the consequences of their action and that this implies the defendant’s desire for those consequences to occur. Situations that might suggest intent include:

• Dousing an officer with body fluids
• Flailing arms or legs to punch or kick the officer
• Swinging or throwing a heavy object at a peace officer
• Verbal proclamations indicating a desire to hurt the officer
• Brandishing a gun, knife, or other deadly weapon

A Boulder defense attorney uses all available evidence to rebut a prosecutor’s argument that a defendant acted with intent to impede an officer from carrying out their duties through an act of physical violence or use of noxious substances.

How Could a Lawyer Defend Charges of Assault on an Officer?

An experienced Boulder attorney analyzes the facts in an indictment for assault on an officer to determine the feasibility of arguing on behalf of the defendant. Arguments may include:

• Lacking an intent to cause harm
• Taking steps to prevent damage or destruction of property
• Being mistakenly identified as a perpetrator of the assault charges
• Acting in self-defense or attempting to prevent someone else from suffering immediate harm

Your lawyer could also emphasize the proportionality of your actions in comparison to the officer’s conduct. Body camera footage and eyewitness cell phone video can be critical components of this argument.

Is Assault on an Officer Always a Felony Offense?

First- and second-degree assault on an officer are felony offenses that carry mandatory jail terms. A savvy Boulder lawyer may be able to negotiate assault on an officer charges down to third-degree assault or resisting arrest, which are misdemeanor offenses.

Acting quickly in response to an assault indictment will always give your lawyer a better opportunity to analyze the evidence against you, challenge allegations, and fight for reduced charges.

Call a Boulder Attorney Today About Charges of Assault on an Officer

Attorney Mike Petrash knows that charges of assaulting an officer in Boulder are never as straightforward as a prosecutor will generally claim. Those charges might be brought to make an example of someone demonstrating against injustice or reacting to aggressive law enforcement tactics.

When you need a lawyer who understands the motivation behind assault charges, contact Petrash Law for experienced protection from legal counsel who is prepared to fight tirelessly to protect you and your constitutional rights from state prosecutors.