First degree assault, under C.R.S. § 18-3-202, is Colorado’s most serious assault charge, a class 3 felony designated a crime of violence, which means mandatory prison time on conviction, in the range of 10 to 32 years, plus fines that can run from $3,000 to $750,000. It applies when someone intentionally causes serious bodily injury, permanently disfigures another person, or destroys, amputates, or permanently disables a body part.
Why the mandatory prison time matters so much here
Because it’s classified as a crime of violence, a judge has far less discretion to avoid prison entirely than in most other felony cases, which makes the difference between a first-degree charge and a lesser assault degree enormous in practical terms.
What to do next
If you’re facing this in Colorado, call Mile High Legal at (720) 853-5779 for a free consultation. The earlier a defense attorney gets involved, the more options are usually still on the table.
