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Highlands Ranch 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

Highlands Ranch Criminal Defense Attorney

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Have You Been Arrested or Charged with A Crime in Highlands Ranch?

Get the help of an experienced trial attorney on your side. As an experienced Highlands Ranch criminal defense lawyer and DUI attorney, Matt Chaput will help advocate on your behalf and get you the best possible outcome for your criminal case. Need help? Contact us now.

Highlands Ranch Criminal Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested or accused of a crime in Highlands Ranch… it’s time to start thinking about your future. Criminal charges are usually accompanied by a variety of economic and financial penalties that can impact your life indefinitely. Expensive fines, jail time, loss of job or relationships, and a criminal record can haunt you for a lifetime. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony offense, the actions you take now can help minimize the repercussions of your crimes. Contact a Highlands Ranch Criminal Defense Attorney to immediately get started building your best defense.

Criminal cases have many unique nuances that an experienced lawyer will help you navigate through. Contacting a lawyer early on can open up additional opportunities for resolutions, including case dismissals or a reduction in charges. They will ensure that your rights and liberties are protected throughout the legal process.

Work with a top-rated criminal defense attorney that is PROVEN to defend clients’ rights and liberties in cases regarding DUI, traffic violations, drug possession, and domestic violence in the Denver metro area. Right Law Group

will provide you with a 100% honest assessment of your charges — Schedule a FREE consultation today.

SHOULD I HIRE A HIGHLANDS RANCH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY?

If you have been charged with a crime and have limited knowledge of the law, it’s always smart to at least speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney about the options before you make a plea or talk to prosecutors. Speaking with a Criminal Defense Attorney as soon as possible will always help to increase the chances of a favorable outcome for your case. When you hire an attorney, it becomes their duty to advocate on your behalf and fight the District Attorney in court to give you the best possible outcome for your particular situation.

If you have doubts about whether your rights were violated during or after your arrest, or if you need someone to look at your situation and give you straightforward, no-pressure advice on what you should expect from your charges, reach out to us right away.

What to do if you are involved in criminal charges

You need to act FAST if you have been arrested or accused of criminal charges. Understand that your future is at stake, and your response to this situation can make a huge impact on how your case is handled. Your finances, your family, and your freedom can all be affected by these outcomes. Whether you are innocent or guilty of the crime, here are some tips to help you along the process:

  • Remember Your Rights – The #1 thing to remember is that you have the right to remain silent. You can invoke these rights at any time during your arrest, at which point you cannot be forced to answer any questions without your attorney present. Less information provided at the scene gives a lawyer more options for building a defense. During this time… be patient. Cooperate with law enforcement, in silence if you must, until you can have a criminal defense attorney represent on your behalf.
  • Contact An Experienced Highlands Ranch Criminal Defense Attorney – Once you are permitted to do so, contact your attorney. Under the protection of attorney-client privilege, you may now disclose to full details of your case in confidence. A criminal defense attorney will immediately get to work on building your defense, ensuring your constitutional rights are protected, and keeping you out of jail — Get started with a free consultation.

WHAT WILL IT COST TO DEFEND MY CRIMINAL CASE IN COLORADO?

The answer to that question often depends on your particular situation and if you have any previous criminal history. Some factors that will have an impact on how much a criminal defense attorney will charge include whether it is a misdemeanor or felony and how severe the particular charges and potential felonies are. Of course, each case is different, and you may or may not have factors involved in your case that would allow it to be dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge. The only way to know for sure is to contact us today for a free, 100% honest assessment of your situation.

Payment plans are available. Contact us today to learn more.

Common Types of Criminal Charges We Help Defend Against:

We are here to help defend clients against all types of criminal charges, including but not limited to:

Drug Crimes

New Colorado drug laws mean that many drug possession charges are no longer considered felonies and instead have been reduced to misdemeanors. Even if you have been arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, or possession of a quantity that resulted in a felony charge, all it takes is one phone call to get a free and honest assessment of your charges.

Theft, Burglary, and Robbery

Theft, burglary, and robbery are some of the most common types of crime in Colorado. These types of crime vary in many ways, but essentially they all fall under the umbrella of unlawfully taking someone else’s property. While each situation is different, we have the experience necessary to evaluate your case and determine the best defense strategy.

DUI and DWAI

If you have been charged with DUI in Colorado, you only have 7 days to request an administrative hearing with the DMV before your license is automatically suspended. Whether this is your first DUI or you’ve had several, an experienced Highlands Ranch DUI Lawyer to handle your case.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence charges can be serious business. Any assault charge is serious, but DV charges are always looked at more seriously when it involves a spouse, significant other, family member, or child. Not only are you facing potential jail time, if you have kids, but a domestic violence charge can also limit your ability to see your children if you are currently going through a divorce or separation. If you have been charged with violating a restraining order or any other crime involving domestic violence, please call our office now.

Assault and Menacing

In Colorado, assault charges can be first, second, or third-degree depending on the various factors of the situation (such as the seriousness of an injury and whether or not a weapon was involved). Menacing is considered to be the threat of assault and is most often a misdemeanor (unless the threat was made with a deadly weapon). If you have been charged with assault or menacing, contact our office right away for a free consultation.

TOP-RATED HIGHLANDS RANCH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY NEAR YOU

Right Law Group is a top-rated Colorado law firm that focuses on criminal defense and DUI. We represent clients in Denver, Highlands Ranch, and Littleton, Colorado. As well as all surrounding cities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.

If you are looking for a Highlands Ranch Criminal Defense Attorney that offers aggressive defense no matter the case, look no further.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t make the mistake of trying to defend yourself or pleading guilty or no contest just because you want to get this behind you. A conviction for ANY charge can have lasting consequences that you should be aware of before making any decisions.

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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Should I hire a criminal defense attorney in Colorado?

If you have been charged with a crime, you should always consider hiring a criminal defense attorney. An experienced attorney will give you your best chance at getting your charges reduced or even getting your case dismissed.

What does a criminal defense attorney do?

Criminal defense attorneys fight for the rights of their client who has been accused of a crime. A criminal defense attorney will research the facts and evidence that the prosecution has put together, and they will work to negotiate a deal or to take the case to trial, depending on the situation.

When should you talk to a lawyer?

You should contact a lawyer as soon as you have been charged with a crime. ALWAYS decline to answer questions from police and/or prosecutors until you have an attorney present. It is your right under the United States Constitution, and you should always exercise this right.

What are good questions to ask a criminal defense lawyer?

When hiring a criminal defense lawyer, there are certain things you want to make sure you know about them. Some of the questions you should ask when talking to a Criminal Defense Attorney are:
– What types of cases do you specialize in?
– How long have you been practicing criminal law?
– Have you ever had a case similar to mine? What was the outcome?
– How will we communicate throughout my case?

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