Every university has their own ethical code. Anything involving violence is most likely going to result in criminal charges as well. This is probably the most consistent thing that happens across campuses. There are likely some nuanced differences between schools’ ethical codes regarding how they handle violent offenses, but violence on campus is dealt with very harshly. An accused student should always refer to their student handbook and be aware of possible self-defense arguments. A diligent student defense attorney could help you understand your school’s ethical codes.
If you have been accused of a violent offense on campus, give Jenn and Justie at Colorado Lawyer Team a call. A skilled Greenwood Village campus violence lawyer could help you fight the charges. We can investigate the facts of the case and help you build a defense.
What Constitutes a Violent Offense?
Colorado has a specific section on crimes of violence, which are considered enhanced crimes that subject the person to greater punishment. The most common offenses are assault and include everything from third-degree assault, such as punching, all the way to felony assault, which involves broken bones, serious bodily injury. Those types of violent offenses can get a person in a lot of trouble. Of course, there are also weapons offenses, which are considered violent in Colorado, even if a weapon was only brandished. Home invasions are considered burglaries and may or may not be considered a crime of violence (depending on the degree, and who is present for the commission of the offense).
The most common assault-related charge on a college campus is disorderly conduct for mutual fighting. Bar fights are common as well. These can be charged as third-degree assault if someone is injured. There is also assault as domestic violence between intimate partners. The phrase intimate partners is defined under Colorado law, and domestic violence is any crime, whether or not it is violent, designed to retaliate against, punish, or otherwise control a victim who is an intimate partner of the offender.
