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Violent Crimes

First & Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter & Criminally Negligent Homicide

C.R.S. § 18-3-102

Murder and homicide charges are the most serious allegations a person can face in Colorado. A conviction can mean decades in prison — or even life without parole. At Mile High Legal, we understand the gravity of these charges and bring unmatched experience to the courtroom.

In 2025 alone, founding partner Grant Grosgebauer successfully defended two clients against First Degree Murder charges:

  • One client was fully acquitted after a jury agreed the killing was in lawful self-defense.
  • Another was spared a life sentence when the jury convicted only of manslaughter — carrying a 2–6 year sentence instead of life in prison.


Few firms in Colorado have the skill, trial experience, and proven results to handle such high-profile and complex cases.

Tell Us About Your Case

Charged with a Violent Crime? Now what?

When you’re charged with a crime, a thousand questions and concerns run through your mind. Below is a list of of some of the most frequently considered questions and answers surrounding a Violent Crime charge.

What are considered "crimes of violence" under Colorado law?
Colorado law defines crimes of violence to include murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, sexual assault, arson, burglary with intent to commit assault, and any crime involving the use of a deadly weapon. These charges carry enhanced penalties.
Yes, Colorado recognizes self-defense (known as Defense of Self or Defense of Others) as well as a “Make My Day” law, among other statutory defenses.
Aggravated robbery involves using or threatening to use a deadly weapon during a robbery, or causing bodily injury to another person. It’s a Class 3 felony and carries a mandatory 10-32 year sentence, while simple robbery is a Class 4 felony carrying between 2-6 years.
Most violent crimes in Colorado carry mandatory prison sentences. The length depends on the specific charge, your criminal history, and whether aggravating factors are present. Beginning in January of 2025, some violent crimes require serving 85% of the sentence before parole eligibility (this was increased from 75%).

Potentially, yes. An experienced attorney may be able to negotiate reduced charges, especially if there are weaknesses in the prosecution’s case or mitigating circumstances. However, prosecutors are often reluctant to reduce violent crime charges significantly, and many of these cases proceed to trial.

Invoke your right to remain silent immediately and request an attorney. Do not discuss the case with police, jail personnel, or other inmates. Do not even discuss the case with family or friends on jail calls, as they are recorded and almost always tracked in serious cases. Violent crimes usually also come with more significant surety bonds, or even cash only bonds. Murder in the First Degree charges can result in you being held without bond while the case is pending if prosecutors can establish the proof is evident and the presumption is great that you will be convicted.

This depends on the specific charge and your criminal history. Some violent crimes have mandatory prison sentences, while others may allow for probation with strict conditions. Your attorney can evaluate your specific situation.

Colorado Statutory References (CRS Codes)

  • First Degree Murder: C.R.S. § 18-3-102
  • Second Degree Murder: C.R.S. § 18-3-103
  • Manslaughter: C.R.S. § 18-3-104
  • Criminally Negligent Homicide: C.R.S. § 18-3-105

First Degree Murder (C.R.S. § 18-3-102)

Defined as causing the death of another person after deliberation and with intent to kill.

  • After deliberation = reflection, not sudden impulse.
  • Intent = conscious objective to cause death.


Other categories:

  • Extreme indifference murder (reckless conduct showing disregard for human life).
  • Felony murder (death occurs during commission of robbery, burglary, arson, kidnapping, etc.).
  • Killing of a child under 12 by someone in a position of trust.


Example: Planning and carrying out a shooting after an argument, or deliberately poisoning someone’s drink.

Penalty: Class 1 Felony → Life imprisonment without parole.

Second Degree Murder (C.R.S. § 18-3-103)

Occurs when a person knowingly causes the death of another but without deliberation.

Common variations:

  • Knowingly causing death (awareness actions were practically certain to cause death).
  • Extreme indifference (conduct showing reckless disregard for life).


Examples:

  • Shooting someone during a heated fight without planning.
  • Driving at high speed into a crowd knowing the risk of death.


Penalty: Class 2 Felony → 16–48 years in prison, fines up to $1,000,000.

Manslaughter (C.R.S. § 18-3-104)

Applies when a person:

  • Recklessly causes the death of another, or
  • Intentionally causes/aids suicide.


Key distinction: The accused didn’t act with intent to kill, but with recklessness.

Example: Engaging in a fistfight where one reckless blow leads to death.

Penalty: Class 4 Felony → 2–6 years in prison, fines up to $500,000.

Criminally Negligent Homicide (C.R.S. § 18-3-105)

Occurs when a person causes death through criminal negligence — meaning they failed to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death could occur.

  • This is the lowest-level homicide offense in Colorado.

Example: Leaving a loaded gun unattended where a child gains access and someone dies.

Penalty: Class 5 Felony → 1–3 years in prison, fines up to $100,000.

Defense Strategies in Homicide Cases

Every case is unique, but strong defenses may include:

  • Self-defense or defense of others
  • Challenging “deliberation” or “intent” (reducing charges)
  • Proving accident vs. criminal negligence
  • Disputing causation (medical evidence showing another cause of death)
  • Exposing unconstitutional searches, Miranda violations, or coerced confessions
  • Attacking credibility of witnesses or forensic evidence
  • Mile High Legal has secured acquittals and reduced verdicts by aggressively litigating these defenses.

Attorney Case Results

Mile High Legal is among the only firms in Colorado with multiple murder trial acquittals:

  • 2025 Acquittal: Client cleared of First Degree Murder on self-defense grounds.
  • 2025 Reduced Conviction: Jury rejected First Degree Murder, convicting only of Manslaughter (2–6 years instead of life).
  • Other Wins: Dismissals and reductions in multiple violent crime cases by exposing weak evidence and unconstitutional police practices.

Why Choose Mile High Legal?

Facing a homicide charge means the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether accused of Murder, Manslaughter, or Criminally Negligent Homicide, you need a defense team who has stood in front of juries and won.

At Mile High Legal, we are trial lawyers first. We have proven results in high-profile murder cases and will bring that same aggressive representation to your defense.

Call today for a confidential consultation.