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Castle Rock Criminal Defense Attorney

2022 Winner - Best of the Springs
Lawyer of the Year - American Institute of Legal Professionals
Colorado Bar Association
Top 40 The National Trial Lawyers
Top 100 The National Trial Lawyers
AVVO 10.0 Superb Top Attorney Criminal Defense

Castle Rock Criminal Defense Attorney

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Arrested in Castle Rock, CO? You Need an Experienced Castle Rock Criminal Defense Attorney

The flash of red and blue fills your rearview mirror. Your hands tighten on the wheel as you pull to the shoulder. A knock on the window and your night takes an unexpected turn into the complex machinery of the criminal justice system.

Like many before you, you’re anxious and disoriented as your rights are read. The back of a squad car is not where you saw yourself at this stage of life. How did you get here? Will there be a chance to tell your side? What would your family think?

The cruiser speeds along as you watch the familiar streets of your neighborhood blur. You realize you’re being taken into the belly of a system that, just hours earlier, seemed a world away. Now you’re trapped in the gears, clinging to the hope you’ll come out intact.

We know that fear. Our law firm has seen hundreds of wide-eyed men and women enter our offices, lives suddenly thrown off course after one regrettable night. Hardworking parents are faced with impossible choices. Young students watching their dreams of college, career, and family hang by a thread.

castle rock criminal defense attorney

The unfamiliar police station fills you with dread during booking. The clang of the cell door closing makes your new reality sink in. But take heart – this is just the first step in a long journey. One that, with an experienced guide, can still be bent toward justice.

Soon, you’ll face a judge and charges will be set. Prosecutors will build arguments against you. But we will be there, investigating, advocating tirelessly to construct the strongest defense. No case is unwinnable when all facts come to light.

Should we negotiate a plea deal, our sole focus is how it impacts your future beyond the prison walls. Any power the system wields to harm you, I can help blunt. Together, our steady persistence will wear down even the most imposing forces against you.

If trial is the only path, know that we have won many before you. We can help lift the immense weight of the law from your shoulders. This temporary darkness will pass. You will look back one day with pride, knowing you held fast to truth.

The machinery of justice can seem cold and impersonal when you’re caught inside it. But have hope. Even mammoth gears can be jammed by sand tossed in the right place at the right time.

Through this valley, I will walk with you each step. You are so much more than your case number, and your full story has yet to be written.

The flash of red and blue does not have to derail your dreams forever. With the right guide, we will one day look back on this as just a detour that strengthened you for the journey ahead.

Experienced Castle Rock Criminal Defense Attorney in Your Corner

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Knowledge equals power. Our Castle Rock criminal defense attorneys are former prosecutors and District Attorneys. Past cases give us insight into the way Douglas County prosecutors operate. From sentencing possibilities to diversion programs, we’re intimately familiar with each option to secure the best outcome.

Yet even perfect knowledge of the law isn’t enough. To build an ironclad case, we must first see you as more than a stack of evidence and witness statements. You are a father worrying about how to tell his kids. A mother hoping she won’t lose her job. A son scared he ruined his future. Underneath the surface charges rest the real-life stories of hardship and hope that hold the keys to a stronger defense strategy.

Penalties and Jail Time for Felonies and Misdemeanors in Douglas County

Unlike minor traffic infractions, misdemeanors and felonies in Colorado are criminal offenses that carry more severe consequences. The key differences include:

Misdemeanors – Crimes punishable, in most cases, by up to 1 year in a county jail, fines, probation, or other penalties. There are 2 classes of misdemeanors in Colorado:

  • Class 1 – Up to 1 year in jail, Up TO $1,000 fine
  • Class 2 – Up to 120days in jail, Up to $750 fine

Felonies – More serious crimes punishable by over 1 year in state prison, heavier fines, or even the death penalty. Felonies are classified into 6 levels, below are the presumptive sentencing ranges:

  • Class 1 – Life in prison, $5,000-$1 million fine
  • Class 2 – 8-24 years in prison, Followed by up to 5 years parole$5,000-$1 million fine
  • Class 3 – 4-12, Followed by 3 years parole years in prison, $3,000-$750,000 fine
  • Class 4 – 2-6 in prison, followed by 3 years parole, $2000-$500,000 fine
  • Class 5 – 1-3 years in prison, followed by 2 years of parole, $1,000-$100,000 fine
  • Class 6 – 1 year to 18 months followed by 1 year of parole, $1000-$100,000 Fine

Here are some common misdemeanor and felony charges and classifications in Colorado:

Charge Classification Penalties
DUI Unclassified Misdemeanor 5 days – 1 year jail
Assault M1 3-12 months jail
Trespassing M2 Up to 120 months jail
Drug Possession M1 or DF4 1 year jail or 6 months – 3 years prison
Burglary F3 4-12 years prison
Vehicular Assault F4 2-6 years prison
Robbery F3 4-12 years prison
Arson F3 4-12 years prison
Murder 2 F2 16-48 years prison

Having an experienced Colorado criminal defense attorney can help minimize penalties and protect your rights through the legal process. If you haven’t already, you should have a member of our team review your charges for free.

Your Future Hangs in the Balance – We’ll Fight For You

We’ve seen hundreds of cases dismissed entirely. We’ve helped countless clients avoid or minimize jail time through strategic negotiation. We can help you too.

We will leverage every resource, expertise, relationship, and legal angle to give you the strongest possible chance at the future you desire. Not the future the system tries to hand you.

If you’re tempted to take the easiest route and plead guilty, remember – a criminal record doesn’t just vanish when the sentence ends. It lingers as a specter over your life for years, closing doors to jobs, housing, loans, and education. Don’t let one bad choice permanently hijack the story of your life! Walk into court with a Castle Rock criminal defense attorney ready to counter the prosecution blow-by-blow.

You hold more power than you realize. With the right legal counsel unlocking it, one charged individual can bring the mighty criminal justice system to its knees. Let my team’s experience work on your behalf. You are so much more than your case number. The next chapters remain unwritten. Together, we can bend your story toward redemption.

 

Don’t let one wrong decision impact your life, job or freedom.

Call today for a free case evaluation.

Colorado criminal procedure

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  • Arrest or
    Summons
    01

    Arrest or
    Summons

    The process begins with either an arrest or a summons. The accused is either arrested or served with paperwork summoning them to appear in court. During an arrest, Miranda rights may or may not be read to you. Officers are only required to recite your rights if they intend to question you about potentially incriminating things.

  • Bond Hearing
    02

    Bond Hearing

    In most cases, you're entitled to have a reasonable bond set after you've been arrested. In situations involving domestic violence, the police will request input from the victim before setting a bond. Bonds are set to ensure that a person appears in court at their court dates. If they don’t show up, they forfeit the money that was paid for the bond.

  • Advisement of
    Charges
    03

    Advisement of
    Charges

    Whether you are arrested or given a summons to appear, the court must make sure you understand what crimes you are being accused of committing. This is called advisement of charges. The District Attorney will detail the specific charges against you, and the Judge has to make sure you understand what possible penalties are associated with that charge in the state.

  • Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)
    04

    Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)

    A preliminary hearing is a way for your defense attorney to challenge the District Attorney’s right to bring charges against you by making them prove that there is reason to believe you committed a crime. The Judge is not deciding your guilt or innocence, but rather whether or not there is probable cause to charge you with the crime in question.

  • Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing
    05

    Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing

    This court date comes after your attorney has reviewed all of the reports and evidence in your case. Here’s where your attorney will engage in plea negotiations with the DA. If they can reach an agreement on the case, you may be able to take a plea bargain. If they cannot reach a resolution, your case will be set for an arraignment or trial date.

  • Arraignment
    06

    Arraignment

    An arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you choose to plea. Guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, you and your attorney will then set the case for trial.

  • Motions Hearing
    07

    Motions Hearing

    A motion hearing is when an attorney makes a request that requires a decision from the judge. For example, motions to suppress evidence or statements. These motions can limit the information that goes before a jury if it benefits your case, and there are legal grounds for doing so.

  • Pretrial Readiness
    Conference
    08

    Pretrial Readiness
    Conference

    A pretrial readiness conference is held at some point before trial. It usually is held about a week to a month before the date trial is set to begin. This court date ensures everyone is ready to go to trial on the set date. It is also a time for lawyers to bring up any issues they may have to be addressed before the day of trial.

  • Jury Trial
    09

    Jury Trial

    After a jury is selected for trial, the District Attorney’s responsibility is to present the case to the jury. The DA must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime. Otherwise, the jury must find you innocent. Your attorney will be able to cross-examine all of the witnesses, present evidence, and ultimately help you navigate this process.

  • Sentencing
    Date
    10

    Sentencing
    Date

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you plead guilty. The Judge’s decision is based on the listed penalties for the specific charge, recommendations from the presentence investigation, your criminal history, as well as statements made at the sentencing by the District Attorney, your attorney, you, and any named victims of the crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the difference between a misdemeanor and felony in Colorado?

The key difference is that misdemeanors are lesser crimes punishable by up to 1 year in jail, while felonies are more serious crimes punishable by over 1 year in prison. Misdemeanors are handled in county courts, while district courts oversee felony cases.

What happens if I'm charged with both a misdemeanor and felony?

In Colorado you can face multiple charges arising from the same incident – for example, misdemeanor assault and felony aggravated robbery. The cases may be tried separately or consolidated, but a felony conviction will carry harsher penalties that override misdemeanors.

How long do misdemeanors and felonies stay on my record in Colorado?

Many misdemeanor convictions can be sealed after 3 years, but DUIs take 7 years. Most low-level felonies can be sealed after 10 years per Colorado law, but serious violent felonies may remain permanently. An experienced criminal record sealing attorney can help clear eligible charges.

Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer

Castle Rock Criminal Defense Attorney Near You

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Facing criminal charges in Colorado can feel like an impossible battle against a powerful system. But you don’t have to wage it alone. Right Law Group has helped thousands of clients face down everything from minor misdemeanors to the most daunting felony cases and emerge with their records intact.

With relentless and creative defense strategies, our team of seasoned former prosecutors and district attorneys leverage every angle in the law on your behalf. Our proven expertise in maneuvering Colorado’s complex criminal justice system is backed by over 500 positive reviews from relieved clients. With decades of combined courtroom experience and offices across the state, we have the resources and determination to be the ally you need and reclaim your future.

Don’t leave your fate in the hands of public defenders or firms that don’t know Colorado’s intricacies. Right Law Group will stand as the relentless and compassionate champion you deserve. Call us for a free consultation or visit our website to learn how our record of landmark case results can be put to work for you. The next chapter of your story awaits – let’s write it together.

Areas Served

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El Paso County

Douglas County

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Arapahoe County

  • Centennial
  • Englewood
  • Greenwood Village
  • Cherry Hills Village
  • Foxfield
  • Sheridan
  • Columbine Valley
  • Byers
  • Southglenn
  • Castlewood
  • Peoria

Pueblo County

Teller County

Fremont County

  • Coaldale
  • Cotopaxi
  • Hillside
  • Howard
  • Texas Creek
  • Wellsville