I'm Al Rowland, a former prosecutor. I defend people charged with assault and domestic violence in Black Hawk and across Gilpin County, and I treat every client with the respect and discretion these cases demand.
Charged With Assault or Domestic Violence in Black Hawk?
Colorado assault charges range from third-degree assault, a misdemeanor (C.R.S. 18-3-204), to second- and first-degree assault, which are serious felonies (C.R.S. 18-3-203 and 18-3-202). When the people involved are or were in an intimate relationship, the case receives a domestic violence designation under C.R.S. 18-6-800.3. That label brings mandatory treatment and long-term consequences.
Why Colorado Officers Are Required to Arrest
Under Colorado's mandatory arrest law (C.R.S. 18-6-803.6), officers who find probable cause of domestic violence must make an arrest, even if no one wants to press charges. That's why many Black Hawk DV cases involve couples who were on a getaway, had an argument, and were stunned when one of them left in handcuffs.
An arrest is not a conviction. The prosecution still has to prove what happened, and the first version of events is often not the complete one.
No-Contact Orders After a Black Hawk Arrest
A mandatory protection order (C.R.S. 18-1-1001) is typically entered at your first appearance. It usually bars contact with the alleged victim, can require you to leave a shared home, and requires you to give up firearms. Violating it, even with the other person's permission, is a new crime.
I can ask the court to modify the order so you can return home or co-parent safely while the case is pending.
When a Casino Getaway Becomes a Criminal Case
Casino properties are full of cameras, and those recordings can be among the best evidence in an assault case. Footage from hallways, elevators, and gaming floors often shows who started a confrontation and how it escalated. I move quickly to preserve that video along with 911 audio, body-cam footage, and witness statements, so the full story is in front of the prosecutor and the judge.
Black Hawk Assault & Domestic Violence: Common Questions
The other person doesn't want to press charges. Will the case be dropped?
Not automatically. In Colorado, the State, not the alleged victim, decides whether to prosecute. A victim's wishes can still matter, and they are one of many factors I use to negotiate a dismissal or reduction.
Can I go back to our hotel room or home after I bond out?
Usually not without a court order. A mandatory protection order typically prohibits contact and may exclude you from a shared residence. I can request a modification.
What does the domestic violence designation mean?
It's a sentence enhancer, not a separate crime. It requires domestic violence treatment if you're convicted, can affect firearm rights, and can lead to habitual offender charges for future cases.