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- Colorado Juvenile Law – When Your Child Is Arrested – What To Do – A Guide For Parents
- Colorado Criminal Law – A Guide To Police Body Cameras In Colorado Criminal Cases
- Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
- A Denver Colorado Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Explains the Two Kinds Of “Juvi” Jail
- Articles On Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Dorm Room Searches – Can University Police Search My Dorm Room?
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Juveniles Denied The Right To Jury Trial In Most Cases – 19-2-107
- If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents From A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Is My Child Just Bad – Or Does He Have A Conduct Disorder – Defenses & Sentencing In Colorado Juvenile Law Cases
- Colorado Juvenile Drug Crimes Defense – Fighting The Urge To Answer Police Questions – Those Are Not My Drugs
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Juveniles With Mental Health Issues – Important Issues To Understand
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – I Am Now An Adult – How Can I Be Prosecuted in Juvenile Court?
- Avoiding Colorado Criminal Convictions – The Impact Of A Criminal History On College Applications
- Colorado Criminal Law – The Fraudulent Use Of Fake Or Phony ID’s By Underage Kids – What’s The Law?
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Why Children In Colorado Juvenile Court Should Be Unshackled – Unchained
- Colorado Juvenile Law – Lowest Age Before You Can Be Charged In Juvenile Court
- Colorado Criminal Law – Can The Police Detain Me While A Search Warrant Is Executed?
- Your Daughter Has Been Arrested – What Is The Impact On Her? – Colorado Juvenile Law
- Colorado Criminal Juvenile Law – Why Using Facebook Can Be A Very Dangerous Thing To Do
- In Colorado – Can The Police Question My Child Without My Permission?
- 2016 Update – Questioning Juveniles In Colorado Criminal Investigations – Miranda Rights
- A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Often Represents “At Risk” Kids
- Kids, Guns, And Colorado Juvenile Law – A Dangerous Combination Section 18-12-108.5
- Colorado Criminal Law – Did My Child Just Confess At The School?
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding Searches Of Juveniles In Schools
- Understanding Colorado Minor In Possession (MIP) Cases – C.R.S. 18-13-122 – Colorado Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Series
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process Flowchart – ONE
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process Flowchart – TWO
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Arrest – Summons
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Detention Hearing And The Screening Function
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Pretrial Process
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Filing Decision
- The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – The Charging Decision – Plea Bargaining Part I of II
- The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – How Is The Case To Be Charged – Plea Bargaining Part II of II
- Colorado Juvenile Diversion Programs 19-1- 103(44) – An Important Warning – Speedy Trial – Statute of Limitations 6-5-401(1)(a)
- Colorado Juvenile Sentencing Part 2 – The Direct File Juvenile Offender Law
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Adjudication Process
- Colorado Juvenile Law – The Right To A Speedier Speedy Trial 19-2-108 CRS
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Trials – A Look At How They Work
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – Why Plea Bargaining In Juvenile Criminal Cases Is Different
- Colorado Juvenile Law – When IS There A Right To A Jury Trial? – C.R.S. 19- 2-107
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Pre-sentence Investigation
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Sentencing Decision
- The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Sentencing Hearing – Part I of III
- The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Sentencing Hearing – Part II of III
- The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Sentencing Hearing – Part III of III
- Understanding Colorado House Arrest – Home Detention Technology and Procedures
- A Denver Colorado Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Explains the Two Kinds Of “Juvi” Jail – DYC and YOS
- Understanding Colorado Juvenile Sentencing Part 1 – The Aggravated Juvenile Offender Law – § 19-2-601
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – Post Conviction Issues
- Colorado Juvenile Law Statutes
- Sentencing Schedule – Options 19-2-907
- Colorado Juvenile Detention Screening Laws – C.R.S. 19-1-103(94.5), 19-2-212, 19-2-507(2),
- The Staff-Secure Facility C.R.S. 19-1-103, (101.5)
- Detention (JAIL) C.R.S. 19-2-507
- Issuance of a Lawful Warrant Taking a Juvenile into Custody – 19-2-503
- Release With Services C.R.S. 19-2-302
- Release to Parents or Guardian – C.R.S. 19-2-507(3)
- The Temporary Holding Facility C.R.S. 19-2-507(1)
- Aggravated Juvenile Offender 19-2-601
- Summons – Issuance – Contents – Service 19-2-514.
- Petition Form and Content 19-2-513
- Contempt – Warrant 19-2-515
- Petition Initiation 19-2-512
- Informal Adjustment 19-2-703
- Juvenile Diversion Program – Authorized 19-2-303 and Diversion 19-2-704
- Deferral of Adjudication 19-2-709
- Juvenile Speedy trial – Procedural Schedule 19-2-108
- Evidentiary Considerations 19-2-802
- Admissibility Of Evidence At Juvenile Trials 19-2-803
- Procedures at Juvenile Trials 19-2-804
- Presentence Investigation 19-2-905
- Sentencing – Special Offenders – 19-2-908
- Sentencing – Persons Eighteen Years of Age or Older – County Jail – Community Corrections 19-2-910.
- Sentencing – Alternative Services – Detention 19-2-911
- Sentencing – Placement With Relative 19-2-912
- Sentencing – Probation – Supervised Work Program 19-2-913
- Sentencing – Community Accountability Program 19-2-914
- Sentencing – Legal Custody – Social Services 19-2-915
- Sentencing – Placement Based on Special Needs of the Juvenile 19-2-916
- Sentencing – Fines 19-2-917
- Sentencing – Restitution by Juvenile 19-2-918
- Sentencing – Requirements Imposed on Parents 19-2-919
- Out-of-home Placement – Runaways – Duty to Notify 19-2-920
- Commitment to Department of Human Services 19-2-921
- Juveniles Committed to Department of Human Services – Evaluation and Placement 19-2-922
- Juveniles Committed to Department of Human Services – Transfers 19-2-923
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- Sentencing – Commitment to the Department of Human Services 19-2-909
- Sentencing – Animal Cruelty – Anger Management Treatment 19-2-918.5
- Juvenile Parole 19-2-1002
- Juvenile Community Review Board 19-2-210
- Parole Violation and Revocation 19- 2-1004
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Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
______________________ Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – A famous politician once said “all politics is local.” The same is true for criminal defense lawyers. All criminal defense law is local.
A criminal defense lawyer whose prior career was as a local District Attorney will have first hand knowledge of exactly how the local police and the local district attorneys put together their cases. It is because a former prosecutor walked in the shoes of the district attorney that they have the kind of insider knowledge that provides an advantage in fighting local criminal charges.
In defending criminal charges, quickly receiving, processing and analyzing cases is critical. There can be no learning curve. Knowing local police departments and other law enforcement protocols is an advantage when contacting law enforcement, victims and witnesses to the alleged commission of crimes.
The Importance Of “Jumping On” A Colorado Criminal Case With “Dispatch”
The aggressive – proactive approach to criminal defense cases means NOT taking a wait-and-see approach. While delay is a bona fide tactic in some cases, it can be disastrous in others. If nothing is done until the police have finished their investigation and filed the case before a criminal defense lawyer starts to “work” the case – opportunities may be lost.
If the criminal defense lawyer is “local” that critical window immediately following an arrest but before formal charges are filed, can lead to the kind of head start location of witnesses or evidence that might persuade the District Attorney to decide against filing those charges.
Bottom line, with quick action, it may be possible to stop criminal charges from ever being filed.
The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Felony Cases Is Made By The “Intake” DA
After an arrest is made in a Colorado felony case, the “lead” Detective assembles the case quickly and physically travels to the DA’s office and presents their case, such as it is, to the “intake” district attorney. That D.A. then has the duty to evaluate that case and decide whether there is sufficient evidence to file felony charges.
The case presented is ALWAYS one sided. A local criminal defense lawyer who has sat in that intake DA’s seat, if given the opportunity to present the defense theory of the case and evidence not presented to the intake DA, may be able to cause that DA to NOT file those charges.
If a meeting with that intake DA can be set up – or a phone conference can occur, an experienced local former prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer, may be able to present witness statements and other evidence, not provided by an other source, to the intake DA. Having the other side of the story may impact the D.A.’s filing decision. Even if the DA files criminal charges, knowing the other side of the story may affect the D.A.’s calculations and lead to the decision to file “lesser charges” such as a misdemeanor rather than a felony charge.
Many times defenses such as self-defense, accident, misidentification, the existence of false accusations or defenses based on mental illness can be uncovered and disclosed to the D.A.
If the funds are available, quickly retaining a private investigator can enable the accused to:
- provide “re-interviews” of key government witnesses,
- locate missing or overlooked witnesses,
- canvass neighborhoods surrounding the crime scene,
- obtain possibly overlooked surveillance tapes,
- do background checks on key prosecution witnesses, (by scrutinizing the accuser’s background for a history of telling lies, bias and prejudice can be uncovered)
- locate evidence that will assist in corroborating the accused version of what occurred.
A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Will Also Know The Local Courts
The Denver metro area, also known as the Front Range, is made up of several counties. These counties merge into several Judicial Districts but are identified by their given names for the purposes of the District Attorneys officers for each of those counties within the Judicial Districts.
For example, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, Elbert County and Lincoln County comprise the 18th Judicial District.
Local and experienced criminal defense lawyers usually practice law in specific Front Range Counties. H. Michael Steinberg, the author of this short article, practices in all of them:
Adams County
Arapahoe County
Boulder County
Broomfield County
Denver County
Douglas County
Elbert County
El Paso County (Colorado Springs)
Gilpin County
Jefferson County
Larimer County
Lincoln County
Weld County
Each and every one of those counties and each and one of those courthouses has their own unique methods and procedures. The criminal courts of Denver are different than the criminal courts of Douglas. Within these jurisdictions Judges and DA’s often have considerably different approaches to prosecution, trials, and plea bargaining. Bail practices may be different, sheriffs process prisoners differently in each county and there are often several other differences that distinguish one county from another.
Local and experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyers, as a result of working day in and day out in the same courtrooms, that is “in the trenches” of these courthouse – develop trusting relationships not only with judges, prosecutors, probation officers and court staff, but with the sheriffs departments in the counties in which they appear regularly.
A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Is One Call Away From A Quick Face To Face If Needed
“Going local” also means the opportunity for close personal contact with your attorney during a time in your life that is almost impossibly traumatic. The need to speak with, and meet with, if required, is much simpler when your lawyer is local. The compounding stress of the inability to reach your lawyer can be indescribable to a person being prosecuted for a serious crime.
Your criminal defense lawyer should be available immediately to both answer your questions and to provide support as well as legal representation. Ask your lawyer to:
- Return every phone call, email or text the same day and within a shorter time if possible.
- Provide his or her cell phone number, email and text number for your use during the period of representation.
The client is the best resource for understanding the facts of a case. Constant contact, when necessary, is pivotal to that relationship. The best way for a criminal defense lawyer to start the defense of any case is to sit down with their client after the first phone consult and LISTEN to hear exactly the facts and surrounding circumstances of what occurred.
Even If You Retain A “Non-Local Criminal Defense Lawyer” – It May Be Valuable To Obtain A “Second Opinion” From A “Local Criminal Defense Lawyer”
If you have already retained a criminal defense lawyer, some firms can provide you with a second opinion about case strategy and your options within the criminal justice system.
A second opinion about, for example, a plea bargain offer will be:
- unbiased,
- independent,
- addressing only your best interests, and
- based on a close and careful analysis of all the facts and law.
Summary – “Local” Experience Can Make The Difference
Being accused of a crime is one of the most difficult times of your life. A criminal conviction carries serious consequences and even minor convictions such as misdemeanors, can carry penalties including a jail sentence. A felony conviction can mean a prison sentence as well as dozens of collateral consequences from losing one’s gun rights to the exclusion from employment, higher education, student loans or housing opportunities.
But the profound personal impact of a criminal conviction can tear apart families in ways that are almost impossible to list .. Retaining a local Colorado criminal defense lawyer may make the difference between the optimal result in your criminal case and disaster.
Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you found any of the information I have provided on this web page article helpful please click my Plus+1 or the Share buttons below so that others may also find it.
Never stop fighting – never stop believing in yourself and your right to due process of law.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author at [email protected] – A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-2277. Attorney H. Michael Steinberg is passionate about criminal defense. His extensive knowledge and experience of Colorado Criminal Law gives him the edge you need to properly handle your case.
You should be careful to make a responsible choice in selecting a Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – and we encourage you to “vet” our firm. Over the last 30 plus years – by focusing ONLY on Colorado criminal law – H. Michael has had the necessary time to commit to the task of constantly updating himself on nearly every area of criminal law, to include Colorado criminal law and procedure and trial and courtroom practice. H. Michael works hard to get his clients the best possible results in and out of the courtroom. He has written, and continues to write, extensively on Colorado criminal law and he hopes this article helps you in some small way – Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer.
Other Articles of Interest:
- Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage
- Release With Services C.R.S. 19-2-302
- Out-of-home Placement – Runaways – Duty to Notify 19-2-920
- Juvenile Parole 19-2-1002
- Juvenile Community Review Board 19-2-210
