When a juvenile is arrested in Colorado, the child may be released to a parent or responsible adult, referred for detention screening, or held for a prompt detention hearing. If the child remains in custody, the hearing generally must occur within 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The district attorney then decides whether to file a delinquency petition, offer diversion, or decline to prosecute formally. Decisions made during
Over the last few decades, lawmakers have come to recognize that domestic violence is a serious issue in our country. Charges and penalties have been increased to punish offenders and serve as a deterrent to anyone who might be inclined to engage in this kind of behavior.
But in an effort to protect victims, we have turned domestic violence charges into something that can completely derail an individual’s
