Arrested on a domestic violence charge in Steamboat Springs? We defend you at every stage, starting with the first call.
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Grande Law is a boutique criminal defense and personal injury law firm with offices in Miami, FL and Steamboat Springs, CO. Founded by managing partners Stacy Marczak-Grande and Danny Grande, they bring over 40 years of combined legal experience across criminal defense, family law, personal injury, civil litigation, and property damage claims.
What separates Grande Law from larger firms is straightforward: when you call, Danny or Stacy picks up. Not an AI, not an assistant, not a paralegal. That 24/7 direct attorney access is not a marketing line, it is how the firm operates every day.
Colorado does not have a standalone crime called domestic violence. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-6-800.3, it is a designation that attaches to an existing charge, such as assault, harassment, menacing, or criminal mischief, whenever the alleged victim is someone the accused has, or once had, an intimate relationship with. That includes spouses, former spouses, dating partners, people who live together, and co-parents, regardless of whether they were ever married.
Once that designation attaches, the case changes immediately. Colorado law requires officers to make an arrest whenever probable cause exists (C.R.S. § 18-6-803.6). There is no discretion here. It does not matter if the alleged victim wants to press charges, asks the officer to let it go, or insists the situation was a misunderstanding. If the officer believes an incident occurred, an arrest follows.
That same rigidity carries into prosecution. Colorado prosecutors are trained to build their case around independent evidence, such as photos, 911 recordings, medical records, and witness statements, rather than relying solely on the alleged victim’s cooperation. A case can move forward even after the alleged victim recants or refuses to testify. Knowing this from the outset changes how a defense gets built, and it is exactly why the decisions made in the first hours after an arrest carry so much weight.
Assault charges range from a misdemeanor involving bodily injury (C.R.S. § 18-3-204) to a felony-level charge involving strangulation, serious injury, or a weapon (C.R.S. § 18-3-203). Strangulation cases in particular carry some of the harshest penalties in the domestic violence category, and we build these defenses with that in mind from the start.
Repeated unwanted contact, threats, or communication toward a partner can be charged as harassment under C.R.S. § 18-9-111. These cases often come down to how a series of messages or calls is interpreted, which is where the right defense strategy matters most.
Menacing applies when someone is accused of placing another person in fear of imminent injury. It becomes a felony when a weapon, real or simulated, is allegedly involved (C.R.S. § 18-3-206), making it one of the most common ways a domestic dispute escalates to a felony charge.
When property damage during an argument, a broken phone, a damaged door, a dented car, gets charged as domestic violence, it falls under Colorado’s criminal mischief statute (C.R.S. § 18-4-501).
Stalking charges involve repeated contact, surveillance, or credible threats, and Colorado always prosecutes stalking as a felony (C.R.S. § 18-3-602), regardless of whether it is a first offense.
Once a mandatory protection order is issued, any contact, even a reply to a text the other person sent first, can trigger a brand new charge under C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5, separate from and in addition to the original case.
Being accused of unlawfully restraining or preventing a partner from leaving during an argument can result in a false imprisonment charge, which carries its own serious penalties.
A fourth domestic violence related conviction, even if the first three were only misdemeanors, can trigger Colorado’s habitual offender enhancement under C.R.S. § 18-6-801(7), turning the case into a felony.
A domestic violence arrest triggers an automatic mandatory protection order under C.R.S. § 18-1-1001, and it takes effect regardless of what the alleged victim wants. In most cases it prevents the accused from returning to a shared home, requires no contact with the alleged victim, and can restrict contact with children in common.
What catches people off guard is how easily that order gets violated without any intent to break the law. Replying to a text the other person sent first, running into them at the grocery store, or having a mutual friend pass along a message can all count as contact. Colorado treats these as strict liability violations under C.R.S. § 18-6-803.5, meaning intent rarely matters. A violation becomes a brand new criminal charge stacked on top of the original case.
The order is not necessarily permanent as written. When co-parenting requires some form of contact, an attorney can request a modification that allows limited communication through an approved channel, such as a third-party app or written correspondence only.
Steamboat Springs and the rest of Routt County fall under Colorado’s 14th Judicial District, and cases here move through the Routt County District Court. Having representation that is familiar with how this specific court and its prosecutors handle domestic violence cases makes a real difference in how quickly a protection order gets addressed.
A domestic violence charge does not stay contained to the criminal case. Some of the most serious consequences show up in places that have nothing to do with a courtroom.
For non-citizens, even a lawful permanent resident, a domestic violence conviction can trigger deportation proceedings or bar re-entry to the country. Immigration law treats these offenses with particular severity, and a plea that resolves the criminal case quickly can create immigration consequences that were never part of the conversation.
Colorado’s record sealing laws carve out a specific exception for domestic violence. Unlike most other misdemeanors, a domestic violence conviction in Colorado can never be sealed, not after any waiting period, not under any circumstances. That record stays visible on background checks permanently.
A domestic violence case can also reach into a separate family court proceeding. Even a case that never results in a conviction can influence how a judge evaluates parenting time and decision-making authority in a custody dispute. For anyone navigating both a criminal case and a custody matter in Steamboat Springs at the same time, coordinating the two is critical.
Danny or Stacy answers every call personally, day or night. When you’re arrested at 2 AM or need to understand a protection order before your next court date, you reach an attorney, not a voicemail.
Stacy Marczak-Grande and Danny Grande bring more than four decades of combined courtroom experience to every domestic violence case. That depth means we’ve seen the tactics prosecutors use and know how to counter them.
Grande Law has represented over 5,000 clients and recovered more than $50 million for them over the last 10 years. That track record reflects a firm built to fight, not to settle for the first outcome offered.
We’re licensed in Florida, Colorado, and Illinois, including federal courts, so a case that touches more than one state never needs a second attorney. That matters for clients who split time between Colorado and elsewhere.
You are not handed off to a paralegal or an associate you’ve never met. Your case stays with Danny or Stacy from the first call through resolution.
Grande Law has sponsored the Routt County Humane Society dinner for three years running. We’re invested in this community, not just practicing in it.
Every domestic violence case is different. These results reflect the level of preparation and advocacy Grande Law brings to every matter.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts and circumstances.
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Call or come in and speak directly with Stacy or Danny from the start. Available 24/7, we go over the charge, the protection order, and what your options look like right now.
We’re with you at your first court appearance, where the terms of your protection order and release conditions are often set. Having representation at this stage can shape everything that follows.
We dig into police reports, 911 recordings, witness statements, and any messages or evidence the prosecution plans to use, looking for inconsistencies and problems with how the case was built.
After reviewing the evidence, we lay out the realistic paths forward, whether that’s pursuing a dismissal, negotiating a resolution, or preparing to take the case to trial.
Whether your case resolves through a dismissed charge, a negotiated plea, or a trial verdict, we see it through to the end and explain exactly what the outcome means for your record and your rights going forward.
“Grande Law is very professional and trustworthy to my needs and feelings during my time of troubles. Stacy was very knowledgeable about what she was doing and guiding me to victory. Thanks million.”
“If you’re looking for someone who will get the job done right, you’ve come to the right place. Stacy’s professionalism and reliability made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Look no further, Grande Law is truly the best!”
“I had an excellent experience with Grande Law. From the very first consultation, their team was professional, knowledgeable, and truly cared about my case. They kept me informed every step of the way and worked tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome.”
Common questions about domestic violence charges in Colorado and how we work.
After an arrest, you’ll typically be taken into custody and held until a bond hearing, where a judge sets your release conditions and the terms of your mandatory protection order. You won’t be released on standard bond immediately in most cases. The decisions made in these first hours, including anything you say to police, can shape the rest of your case, which is why reaching an attorney as early as possible matters so much.
Yes, testimony alone can support a conviction if a jury finds the alleged victim’s account credible. But the defense has the right to cross-examine that testimony, challenge inconsistencies, and point to the absence of physical evidence. A case built entirely on one person’s statement is often one of the more vulnerable cases for the prosecution.
Colorado law does not recognize mutual combat as a formal defense to a domestic violence charge. That said, the full circumstances of what happened, including who law enforcement designated as the primary aggressor, can still affect how the case is charged and defended. That determination is sometimes challengeable.
It depends on the underlying charge and whether the case goes to trial. Straightforward misdemeanor cases in the 14th Judicial District may resolve within a few months. Felony charges, or any case that proceeds to trial, typically take longer. The mandatory protection order and its restrictions stay in place for the entire time the case is pending.
Yes, in many cases. An attorney can request a modification hearing to allow limited, specific contact for parenting time coordination, often through an approved third-party communication app rather than direct contact. The court decides case by case, and having representation at that hearing improves the odds of a workable outcome.
It depends entirely on the underlying offense. Harassment and third-degree assault are typically misdemeanors, while menacing with a weapon, second-degree assault involving strangulation, and stalking are all charged as felonies. The same incident can be charged differently depending on the details, which is why an early case review matters.
It can. Colorado’s habitual domestic violence offender enhancement under C.R.S. § 18-6-801(7) applies once someone has three prior domestic violence related convictions, even if all three were misdemeanors. A fourth charge under those circumstances can be prosecuted as a felony.
Reach out today, Stacy or Danny will be in touch directly.
Your information stays confidential.
Stacy Marczak-Grande is based in Steamboat Springs and defends domestic violence cases throughout Routt County and the 14th Judicial District. When your future and your family are on the line, you deserve a lawyer who’s actually local.
941 Lincoln Ave Suite 200-E1-F, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Open 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week
Stacy is locally rooted in the Steamboat Springs community and knows these courts.