Best Criminal Defense Lawyers Denver, CO Of 2024

• Lara M. Baker
• Adam Frank
• Andres R. Guevara
• Russell J. Hebets
• Abraham Hutt
• Richard Kornfeld
• Marci LaBranche
• Laura A. Menninger
• Norman R. Mueller
• Anthony Viorst

A criminal defense lawyer is a legal advocate for individuals facing criminal charges, seeking fair treatment and a just outcome for their clients. They review the evidence presented against you and look for mistakes or improper procedures that could benefit your case. They also communicate with prosecutors and may be able to negotiate a plea deal on your behalf. Most importantly, they can advise you as the case proceeds and help you make informed decisions.

Public Defender vs. Private Criminal Attorney

A public defender is a lawyer appointed by the court to represent defendants who cannot afford private legal counsel. You may be required to provide proof of income to show that you cannot afford to hire your own lawyer before a public defender is appointed. The right to a public defender applies to adults facing felony or misdemeanor charges and all juvenile criminal cases.

Many public defenders are highly skilled, but it is common for them to manage a much higher number of cases when compared to private lawyers. If you are able to hire a private criminal attorney, they are more likely to have the time and resources to devote themselves deeply to your case.

Should You Represent Yourself in a Criminal Case?

You can represent yourself in a criminal case but may want to think twice before exercising that right. If charges are minimal, such as a minor traffic infraction, then it may make sense to handle the matter yourself. However, if you are facing potential jail time or large fines and a criminal record, then hiring a lawyer gives you the best chance to obtain a favorable resolution.

All criminal cases go through a series of stages before a final resolution is reached. Here is an overview of the process in Colorado:

• Arrest. A criminal case begins when a police officer arrests you with probable cause to believe you committed a crime. They will likely read you your Miranda rights and take you to the local police station for booking.
• Bail or bond. After booking, you may be able to post bail or a bond to be released until your court date. Bail refers to the money required for release, while bond refers to a guarantee from a bail bond company that is accepted instead of the full bail.
• Arraignment. Your arraignment is your first court appearance, where the charges against you are presented. This is also your first chance to respond to charges with a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you are not able to afford a lawyer, this is when a public defender is often assigned.
• Plea bargaining. After the arraignment, your lawyer will review the evidence against you and may attempt to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor.
• Pre-trial hearings. Before a full trial is held, pre-trial hearings are held to resolve legal issues like challenges to evidence. These hearings often overlap with plea bargaining and may influence what plea deal terms are offered.
• Trial. If your case is not resolved with a plea deal, then it will proceed to a trial before a judge or jury. In a jury trial, the process begins with jury selection and is followed by an opportunity for prosecution and defense to present their case.
• Verdict and sentencing. Once the trial concludes, a verdict will be issued stating whether or not you are found guilty on each charge. If you are found guilty on any charge, then a sentencing hearing will decide the penalties you will face.
• Appeal. If you have been convicted and sentenced, you may still be able to file an appeal of the trial outcome. An appeal case seeks to overturn part or all of a criminal court decision.

Resolving a Criminal Case in Colorado

Criminal cases can be resolved through either a not-guilty verdict, a conviction or a plea deal. A plea deal is reached through plea bargaining with the prosecution. Essentially, you agree to plead guilty to part of all of the offense in exchange for the prosecution recommending a reduced sentence. Plea deals must be approved by the judge in line with Colorado rules.

A conviction will result in sentencing based on Colorado’s Sentencing Scheme. Sentencing depends on the severity of the conviction and any aggravating or mitigating circumstances. A sentence commonly includes fines and/or jail time. Alternatives, such as probation, community service, or drug and alcohol treatment programs, may be offered in lieu of jail time in some cases.

If you are sentenced to jail, obtaining an early release through parole may be possible. Parole is only available for felony sentences after at least 50 percent of the jail time has been completed. Whether your request for parole is approved will depend on the state board of parole’s judgment in line with a risk assessment scale intended to determine whether you pose a risk of reoffense.

Expungement refers to erasing or clearing your criminal record. This can be helpful to avoid limitations on your ability to get a job or discrimination based on your criminal history. Colorado only allows the expungement of juvenile criminal records and underage DUI convictions.

While expungement options are very limited in Colorado, the state does allow record sealing of many convictions. Unlike expungement, a sealed record does not erase the conviction, but it will only be visible to law enforcement after it is sealed. Some petty offenses are eligible for sealing after one year from the time probation or parole ends, while more serious offenses may require a minimum of five years before they may be approved for sealing.

Facing criminal charges is stressful and has the potential for life-altering effects. Hiring a qualified lawyer you can trust can provide reassurance, make sure you understand your rights and help secure a fair outcome. Here is what to look for:

• Relevant experience. Lawyers often approach different types of criminal charges with different strategies. Whether you are facing a charge of domestic violence or white-collar crime, you should work with a lawyer who understands your circumstances and has experience handling similar cases.
• Clear fees. One of your most important considerations is how much your lawyer will cost. Many criminal defense lawyers charge an hourly rate for their services, though some will take on cases on a flat fee basis. Make sure you understand up front how your lawyer will calculate their fees for your case.
• Successful record. A lawyer cannot guarantee an outcome for you, but it can be helpful to see whether they have obtained acquittals or reduced sentences for other clients facing similar charges.

These Denver criminal defense resources can help you find more information:

• Denver Police non-emergency contact number: (720) 913-2000
• Denver arrest records and list of incarcerated persons: Denver City Police Department
• Colorado criminal records: Colorado Bureau of Investigation
• Public Defender inquiries: Denver Office of the Colorado State Public Defender, (303) 620-4999
• Parole conditions: Colorado Department of Corrections
• Sealing criminal records: Colorado Courts

To come up with the criminal defense lawyers in Denver of 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical analysis considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.

Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:

• Legal experience
• Special licenses and certifications
• Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
• Legal thought leadership
• Education and employment background
• Scholarly lectures and writings
• Awards and honors

Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.

Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.

One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.

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