Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 11, 2026
When someone is accused of domestic violence, they are often overwhelmed by the legal process before they have had any chance to explain their side of events. These accusations can separate a person from their family and create serious complications at their place of employment, even when the underlying situation is far more complicated than a single police report suggests.
A Grand Junction City Councilman was arrested in April on accusations of domestic violence. He has since resigned from his position on the city council, a move that may end his public career regardless of how the underlying case is resolved. When someone holds a public position, an arrest alone can carry consequences well beyond the courtroom.
Accusations of domestic violence carry an emotional weight for everyone involved, and many of these incidents begin as a misunderstanding that escalates once police are called. Colorado law does not give officers much room to sort out the full picture on the scene.
Why Colorado Police Rarely Have a Choice to Make an Arrest
Colorado Revised Statute § 18-6-803.6 requires officers to arrest the person they identify as the predominant aggressor any time they have probable cause to believe a domestic violence offense occurred. Officers cannot simply separate the parties, take statements, and leave the scene. Once that legal threshold is met, an arrest follows, regardless of whether the situation was a misunderstanding, a mutual argument, or something more serious.
Our recent breakdown of Colorado’s mandatory arrest law explains how officers determine who is arrested when both parties dispute what happened, and why that determination sometimes does not reflect the full picture.
The Right to a Defense Does Not Disappear With an Arrest
An arrest is not a conviction, and it is not proof that a crime occurred. Anyone accused of a serious offense is entitled to have the evidence against them examined closely, including how officers gathered statements, whether body camera footage supports the accusation, and whether the arrest itself followed the law. Mistakes by officers during an arrest, or statements taken without properly advising a person of their rights, can affect how a case ultimately proceeds.
A conviction based on an incomplete investigation can mean time in custody, fines, and a permanent mark on a person’s record. Speaking with an experienced defense attorney as early as possible gives a person the best chance to present the full context of what happened, not just the version captured in an initial police report.
Facing a Domestic Violence Charge in Colorado?
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, our attorneys have resolved well over 20,000 criminal and traffic cases throughout Colorado, including a substantial number of domestic violence matters. We have backgrounds that include experience at the district attorney’s office and as government state defenders, giving us insight into how these cases are built and how they can be challenged.
If you or someone you know has been arrested on a domestic violence accusation in Colorado, reach out through our confidential contact form. We offer free initial consultations and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Source: The Associated Press, “Grand Junction council to discuss replacement,” July 23, 2013
Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Violence Arrests in Colorado
Can police choose not to arrest someone on a domestic violence call in Colorado?
No. Once officers have probable cause to believe a domestic violence offense occurred, Colorado law requires them to arrest the person identified as the predominant aggressor. Officers do not have discretion to simply separate the parties and leave.
Does an arrest for domestic violence mean a conviction is coming?
No. An arrest reflects only that police believed there was probable cause a crime occurred. The case still has to be proven, and a defense attorney can challenge the evidence, the arrest procedure, and the statements collected before and after the arrest.
Can a domestic violence arrest affect someone’s job or public position?
Yes. An arrest alone, even before any conviction, can lead to professional and reputational consequences, particularly for people in public-facing roles. This is separate from the criminal case itself and often happens well before a case is resolved in court.
What should someone do immediately after a domestic violence arrest in Colorado?
Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, avoid discussing the incident with anyone other than your attorney, and comply with any protection order issued at the time of the arrest until it can be legally addressed.
About the Attorney
Founding Attorney
Shazam Kianpour is the founding attorney of Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. He earned his J.D. from California Western School of Law in 2004, was admitted to the Colorado Bar the same year, and began his career as a Deputy State Public Defender before founding his own Denver based criminal defense practice.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.