GANNON BECKER
SENIOR LITIGATION ATTORNEY
With a unique background as both a defense attorney and prosecutor, Gannon Becker brings a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system to every case he defends. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in Colorado’s 4th Judicial District (El Paso County), where he prosecuted hundreds of felony cases and thousands of misdemeanor cases. His prosecutorial experience included handling the most serious violent crimes: homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated robbery, burglary, and first-degree assault. This extensive trial experience and insider knowledge of how prosecutors build cases now gives him a significant advantage in defending his clients against criminal charges.
One of the many possible defenses to a DUI charge involves examining whether there were any issues with the police investigation. This is especially important in DUI cases because the officer is typically the primary witness. They have specific procedures they must follow, and if those procedures aren’t properly carried out, it can have a significant impact on the case.
There are ways to challenge the thoroughness and accuracy of the officer’s investigation. If the officer failed to follow proper protocols or skipped critical steps, we can often bring the matter to what’s called a motions hearing. At that hearing, a judge can make a legal determination—whether your rights were violated or whether the investigation was inadequate. In some cases, this can lead to evidence being suppressed or even a full dismissal of the case.
Another important aspect is chemical testing. In Colorado, chemical tests—like breath or blood tests—must be administered within two hours of you being in actual physical control of the vehicle. If testing occurs outside of that window, it can impact both the DMV and criminal cases.
On the DMV side, failing to conduct the test within two hours can be grounds for the DMV to dismiss their case, which means you may be able to keep your license. On the criminal side, while it usually doesn’t result in an outright dismissal, it can weaken the weight of the evidence. The validity and scientific reliability of that test may come into question, which can influence how a jury views the evidence.
Understanding the concept of actual physical control is also critical. In Colorado, that’s how “driving” is legally defined for DUI purposes. It’s not always what people think. For instance, if you’re parked in the front seat with the keys in the ignition—even if the car isn’t on—that could still be considered actual physical control under the law.
It’s a highly fact-specific determination, and there are many situations where someone might not feel they were “driving” in the common sense, but legally they may still be considered in control of the vehicle. These nuances are why DUI cases often require a detailed and strategic defense tailored to the facts of your situation.
Gannon Becker began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney at a small local law firm in Colorado Springs, where he managed a full caseload of criminal cases in El Paso County. In this role, he represented clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges, appeared at pre-trial conferences and hearings, and negotiated with deputy district attorneys to secure favorable outcomes. This early defense experience gave him a deep understanding of what clients need from their attorney and how to navigate the criminal justice system from the defense perspective.
After doing defense work, Gannon Becker realized the value in learning how the prosecution worked from the other side, so he joined the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office as a Deputy District Attorney, where he spent over four years prosecuting hundreds of felony cases and thousands of misdemeanor cases. His prosecutorial experience included handling the most serious violent crimes in El Paso County, including homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated robbery, burglary, and first-degree assault. He successfully conducted numerous jury trials, securing convictions in serious felony cases while also exercising prosecutorial discretion to dismiss cases when appropriate.
Now, having returned to criminal defense, Gannon Becker brings this dual experience, both as a defense attorney and prosecutor, to every case he handles. This 360-degree view of the criminal justice system allows him to anticipate the prosecution’s strategy, identify weaknesses in their case, and develop the most effective defense for his clients. Few attorneys can match this unique combination of perspectives.
During his time as a Deputy District Attorney in the 4th Judicial District, Gannon Becker prosecuted hundreds of felony cases, including some of the most serious violent crimes in El Paso County. His felony caseload included:
In addition to his felony caseload, Gannon Becker prosecuted thousands of misdemeanor and traffic cases, including domestic violence and DUI charges. This breadth of experience across all levels of criminal cases gives him a comprehensive understanding of how the criminal justice system works in El Paso County, from misdemeanor county court cases to serious felony district court prosecutions.
This prosecutorial experience is now a powerful tool in his defense practice. He knows exactly how prosecutors analyze cases, what evidence they prioritize, and where their cases are most vulnerable. He understands the pressure prosecutors face to secure convictions and the factors that influence their charging and plea negotiation decisions.
Gannon Becker conducted numerous jury trials during his time as a prosecutor, including trials in cases ranging from DUI and domestic violence misdemeanors to serious felonies including homicide and aggravated robbery. His trial experience in the most serious criminal cases has made him a skilled trial attorney who understands how to present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and persuade juries.
This prosecutorial trial experience now gives him a unique advantage in criminal defense, he knows exactly how prosecutors prepare for trial, what evidence they prioritize, and how they present their case to a jury. He can anticipate the prosecution’s strategy, challenge their evidence, and present a compelling defense. His experience conducting jury trials in first-degree murder cases demonstrates his ability to handle the highest-stakes criminal litigation.
As a prosecutor, Gannon Becker worked closely with law enforcement investigators, paralegals, victim advocates, and legal assistants to prepare cases for trial. He reviewed thousands of police reports, analyzed evidence collection procedures, and worked with expert witnesses on forensic evidence. This experience gave him a deep understanding of police procedures and investigation techniques.
Now, as a defense attorney, this insider knowledge allows him to identify potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, from improper traffic stops to flawed evidence collection. He knows what questions to ask about police procedures, how to challenge improper searches and seizures, and how to file successful motions to suppress evidence obtained in violation of his clients’ constitutional rights.
One of Gannon Becker’s unique areas of expertise is his experience with the Colorado Victim Rights Act (VRA). As a prosecutor, he was responsible for communicating with crime victims, explaining their rights under the VRA, and ensuring that their voices were heard in the criminal justice process. This experience gave him a comprehensive understanding of the prosecution’s obligations to victims and how victim input can affect case outcomes.
As a defense attorney, this knowledge allows him to navigate cases involving victims more effectively and understand the pressures prosecutors face in cases with strong victim advocacy. He can anticipate how victim input may influence the prosecution’s decisions and develop defense strategies that account for these dynamics.
Gannon Becker’s practice at Right Law Group focuses on defending individuals facing serious criminal charges in El Paso County and surrounding areas, with a particular emphasis on serious felony cases and DUI charges. His prosecutorial experience in homicide, attempted homicide, and other violent crimes gives him the skills and knowledge necessary to defend clients facing the most serious charges. His experience prosecuting thousands of DUI cases gives him a deep understanding of the science behind blood and breath testing, field sobriety tests, and the legal standards for DUI convictions.
He successfully defends clients in cases involving:
Gannon Becker’s prosecutorial background allows him to develop defense strategies that are informed by insider knowledge of how prosecutors think and operate. He knows how prosecutors evaluate cases for trial, what evidence they need to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and what factors influence their willingness to negotiate. This knowledge allows him to:
Gannon Becker’s extensive jury trial experience as a prosecutor has prepared him to handle the most serious and complex criminal cases as a defense attorney. He understands how prosecutors build their cases, how they present evidence to juries, and where their cases are most vulnerable. This insider knowledge allows him to develop effective defense strategies and achieve favorable outcomes for his clients, whether through negotiation, motion practice, or trial.
His experience conducting jury trials in first-degree murder cases demonstrates his ability to handle high-stakes litigation where the consequences for his clients are most severe. He brings this same level of skill and dedication to every case he handles, regardless of the charge.
Gannon Becker earned his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law , where he focused on criminal and constitutional law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration from the University of North Dakota. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado (Co. Reg #52642) and is admitted to practice before the United States District Court of Colorado.
Gannon Becker serves primarily El Paso County, as well as Teller, Pueblo, and Fremont counties.
One too many drinks can leave you sitting in the drunk tank with a DUI.
One loud fight can turn into domestic violence charges.
A moment of distraction or a heavy foot can turn into a speeding ticket.
In almost every case, there is a silver lining and an opportunity to get the outcome you are looking for as long as you have an experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer to guide you through the complicated criminal process.
