Experienced Criminal Defense for Felony & Misdemeanor Charges
When you face criminal charges, your freedom, reputation, and future opportunities hang in the balance. At our firm, we understand the profound impact that criminal allegations can have on every aspect of your life—from your career and professional licensing to your family relationships and standing in the community.
Our criminal defense team combines thorough case preparation, strategic negotiation skills, and formidable courtroom advocacy to protect clients throughout the criminal justice process. We represent individuals facing all levels of criminal charges, from minor misdemeanors to the most serious felony allegations.
Understanding Criminal Charges in Colorado
Criminal offenses in Colorado are primarily categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies, with significant differences in potential penalties and long-term consequences.
Misdemeanor Offenses
Misdemeanors are less serious crimes typically punishable by up to 18 months in county jail. Colorado organizes misdemeanors into different classes based on severity, ranging from Class 1 (most serious) to Class 2 (less serious), plus petty offenses. Penalties range from small fines to 18 months in jail, depending on the classification.
Common misdemeanor charges include DUI/DWAI, simple assault, theft under $2,000, harassment, disorderly conduct, and certain drug possession offenses. Though less severe than felonies, misdemeanor convictions can still significantly impact employment opportunities, professional licensing, and personal reputation.
Felony Offenses
Felonies are more serious crimes punishable by state prison sentences and larger fines. Colorado classifies felonies from Class 1 (most severe) to Class 6 (least severe), with penalties ranging from 12 months to life imprisonment.
Felony charges include serious offenses such as murder, sexual assault, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, kidnapping, major drug trafficking, and vehicular homicide. Beyond incarceration and fines, felony convictions carry severe collateral consequences, including loss of voting rights, firearm restrictions, professional licensing barriers, and limited housing and employment options.
Our Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Our criminal defense attorneys represent clients in a comprehensive range of criminal matters:
DUI and Traffic Offenses
We provide strong defense representation for all levels of driving offenses, including DUI, DWAI, vehicular homicide and assault, driving under restraint/suspension, reckless driving, and habitual traffic offender cases.
Our DUI defense strategies include challenging breath and blood test results, questioning field sobriety test administration, and exploring alternative sentencing options. We understand the complex interplay between criminal penalties and administrative license consequences, addressing both aspects to minimize impact on your driving privileges.
Drug Crimes
Our firm defends clients facing all levels of drug charges, from simple possession to major trafficking allegations. We handle cases involving illegal substances, prescription medications, and marijuana-related offenses.
We stay current with Colorado's evolving drug laws, including marijuana regulations and the complex intersection between state legalization and federal prohibition. Our defense strategies often focus on Fourth Amendment violations, chain of custody issues, and qualifying clients for treatment-based alternatives to traditional sentencing.
Violent Crimes
When you face allegations of a violent offense, the stakes couldn't be higher. We provide rigorous defense for charges including assault and battery, domestic violence, robbery, kidnapping, weapons offenses, and restraining order violations.
Our defense approach involves thorough investigation, expert witnesses when appropriate, and careful evaluation of self-defense claims and mitigating circumstances. We understand that many violent crime allegations arise from complex situations with important context that must be presented effectively to prosecutors, judges, and juries.
Property Crimes
We represent clients accused of property-related offenses including theft (misdemeanor and felony), burglary, trespass, criminal mischief, arson, motor vehicle theft, identity theft and fraud.
Our defense strategies address issues of intent, valuation challenges, mistaken identity, and restitution negotiations. For many property offenses, we can pursue diversion programs and deferred sentencing options that allow for case dismissal upon completion of specified conditions.
Sex Offenses
We provide discreet, aggressive defense for those facing the life-altering consequences of sex crime allegations, including sexual assault, indecent exposure, failure to register as a sex offender, and prostitution-related offenses.
Our approach includes challenging forensic evidence, exploring consent issues, and addressing constitutional violations. We understand the devastating impact of sex offense registration requirements and prioritize strategies aimed at avoiding or minimizing registration obligations whenever possible.
Juvenile Offenses
We represent minors in juvenile court proceedings with an emphasis on rehabilitation and protecting future opportunities. Our juvenile defense prioritizes diversion programs and alternative sentencing to minimize the long-term impact on young lives. We also assist with record sealing and expungement procedures to give young clients the best chance at an unblemished future.
Our Strategic Defense Approach
Comprehensive Case Investigation
Effective criminal defense begins with thorough investigation. Our team analyzes police reports and prosecution evidence, interviews witnesses, reviews physical evidence and forensic testing, examines crime scenes when appropriate, consults with specialized experts, and investigates law enforcement conduct.
This comprehensive approach often reveals weaknesses in the prosecution's case and opportunities for successful defense strategies. We leave no stone unturned, recognizing that critical defense evidence can come from unexpected sources.
Constitutional Rights Protection
Our attorneys vigilantly protect your constitutional rights throughout the criminal process, scrutinizing search and seizure issues (Fourth Amendment), Miranda violations (Fifth Amendment), right to counsel concerns (Sixth Amendment), and due process violations (Fourteenth Amendment).
When law enforcement oversteps legal boundaries, we aggressively pursue suppression of evidence and dismissal of charges. Constitutional violations often provide our strongest defense arguments, particularly in drug cases and situations involving questionable police procedures.
Strategic Case Resolution
Every criminal case demands a personalized defense strategy. Depending on your circumstances and goals, we may pursue charge dismissal or reduction, negotiated plea agreements, diversion programs, or trial defense.
When charges cannot be dismissed or diverted, we negotiate for favorable plea terms, leveraging prosecution weaknesses and mitigating factors. When trial becomes necessary, our experienced litigators provide powerful courtroom advocacy, challenging every aspect of the prosecution's case through effective cross-examination, strategic evidence presentation, and compelling opening and closing arguments.
Alternative Sentencing Advocacy
When conviction cannot be avoided, we fight for alternative sentencing options including probation instead of incarceration, community corrections programs, treatment-based alternatives, work release programs, deferred judgments and sentences, and minimal fines and restitution.
Our sentencing presentations incorporate personal history, rehabilitation potential, family and community connections, and other humanizing factors that encourage judges to consider alternatives to harsh punishments. We also address collateral consequences proactively, helping clients understand and mitigate impacts on professional licensing, immigration status, employment opportunities, housing access, educational options, firearms rights, and voting rights.
Why Choose Our Criminal Defense Team
Trial-Tested Experience
Our criminal defense attorneys include former prosecutors who understand how the other side builds cases. This insider perspective informs our strategic approach and strengthens our ability to anticipate and counter prosecution tactics. Our courtroom experience spans hundreds of trials across all levels of criminal charges, providing the confidence and skill necessary for effective advocacy.
Local Court Knowledge
We practice regularly in local and state courts throughout Colorado, developing valuable relationships with court personnel, prosecutors, and judges. This familiarity with local court practices and personalities can significantly benefit your case through more productive negotiations and realistic case assessments.
Investigative Resources
Our firm maintains relationships with skilled investigators, forensic experts, and specialist consultants who strengthen our defense capabilities in complex cases. From accident reconstruction specialists to forensic psychologists, we assemble the expert teams necessary to challenge prosecution evidence and present alternative theories.
Personal Attention
We limit our caseload to ensure each client receives the focused attention their case deserves. Your defense will be handled by an experienced attorney—not passed off to paralegals or junior associates. This personalized approach ensures that your unique circumstances, concerns, and defense priorities receive proper consideration throughout your case.
24/7 Accessibility
Criminal emergencies don't happen only during business hours. Our team remains accessible for urgent matters, ensuring you have guidance when critical situations arise. From arrest to crucial decision points, we provide the responsive counsel necessary for navigating crisis moments in the criminal process.
The Criminal Case Process
Understanding the criminal justice process helps clients participate meaningfully in their defense. When working with our firm, you'll proceed through several key phases:
Initial Consultation and Case Building
During your confidential consultation, we'll discuss the allegations, review available documentation, explain potential consequences, and outline possible defense strategies. Once retained, we immediately begin investigating your case, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and identifying defense opportunities.
Court Proceedings and Case Resolution
We represent you at your arraignment and all pretrial proceedings, advocating for favorable bond conditions and contesting evidence through strategic motions. Based on case analysis and your goals, we either negotiate for optimal plea terms or prepare comprehensively for trial, including witness preparation, evidence challenges, and development of compelling defense narratives.
If your case proceeds to trial, our experienced litigators present a cohesive, strategic defense, challenging prosecution evidence and witnesses while presenting favorable evidence. Following any conviction, we advocate vigorously for minimal sentences, presenting mitigating factors and alternative sentencing options.
Post-Conviction Services
When appropriate, we pursue appeals, post-conviction relief, record sealing, and expungement to minimize long-term impacts. Our representation extends beyond the immediate case, with ongoing guidance for navigating probation requirements, rebuilding after incarceration, and addressing collateral consequences.
Take Action to Protect Your Future
Criminal charges demand immediate attention. The sooner we begin working on your defense, the more options may be available. Evidence can disappear, witnesses' memories fade, and deadlines for certain legal challenges expire quickly.
Our criminal defense team offers confidential consultations to discuss your situation and explore potential defense strategies. Contact us today to take the first step toward protecting your rights, freedom, and future.
