Often when a person has been accused of Assault, Menacing, or Harassment, they claim they acted in self-defense. While it can be an overused excuse, it is actually a valid defense in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park. As an Affirmative Defense, it is commonly overlooked and misunderstood, but can be very useful for creating reasonable doubt in the minds of a juror.
What is Self Defense in Larimer County?
Self Defense is defined by Colorado law under C.R.S. 18-1-704, and it states:
A common misconception with self-defense is that another person has to physically assault you first. This is not the case in Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County. If a person is about to strike you, you can push them or hit them first in order to protect yourself. In these situations, it is always best to use the least amount of aggression to diffuse the situation. This is especially important in Domestic Violence cases.
[pullquote align=”center” textalign=”center” width=”90%”]Have you been charged with a crime after you acted in self defense? Contact the experienced attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today![/pullquote]
Using deadly force is even defensible in certain circumstances. If using lesser force will not protect you or if you are in danger of being killed or sustaining serious bodily injury, you can use deadly force to defend yourself. This should always be a last resort, as you could still be charged with a serious offense.
Using the Self Defense Strategy in Fort Collins
Self defense is a valid strategy that the experienced attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office has successfully used. When we apply this strategy at trial, we argue that the force our client used was reasonable and permissible under law. We create a picture in the jury’s mind of how scared you felt at the time. If you have been accused of committing a violent crime, and you acted in self-defense, our knowledgeable lawyers can help you. Allow us to be your voice and prove you acted in self defense.