A recent article in the Denver Post finally addresses the most recent attempts by Colorado Schools – hopefully to be followed by the Colorado State legislature – to reverse years of Zero-Tolerance policies in Colorado’s Public Schools and in the Courts. Last year in December – another excellent article in…
Colorado Criminal Lawyer Blog
Colorado Criminal Sex Crimes Law – 2011 Changes to Sex Offenders Registration Laws – House Bill 11-1278
A new Colorado Law – helps Sex Offenders Understand the Requirements of Sex Offender Registration. The 2011 bill makes a number of modifications to the requirements for registering as a sex offender, including the following: • county sheriffs are required to submit registration information for individuals who are required to…
Colorado State Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey Takes A Reasoned Approach to the Crime of Sexting
In a recent press release on the 1st Judicial District Website in Colorado – Scott Storey – the elected DA – approaches the increasing problem of Sexting with a reasoned eye – recognizing that which most experts in the field understand – it is a matter of “growing up” and…
Colorado DA Fails To Pursue a Revocation of a Deferred Judgment
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer The Colorado Deferred Judgement and Sentence A deferred judgment and sentence is almost always offered to a first offender – a person who has no criminal history. It provides for that person, after a period of probation, to withdraw his or her…
Federal Prosecutors Punished for NOT Investigating Veracity of Snitch Witnesses
The Seventh Circuit has admonished the United States Attorney’s office for failing to investigate the truthfullness of a “cooperating witness” in the face of obvious false testimony. In the appellate decison of United States v. Freeman, 09-cr-4043, 2011 WL 2417091 (7th Cir., June 17, 2011), the Seventh Circuit granted a…
The Changing Face of Probable Cause for Search Warrants in Colorado
By Denver, Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – H. Michael Steinberg Probable Cause Probable cause is the standard of proof necessary to support a search an arrest warrant and is the quantum of proof that is necessary to support a warrantless arrest. The United States and Colorado Constitutions prohibit the issuance…
The High Price of Restrictive Federal Gun Laws in Colorado Domestci Violence Cases
A Fort Carson soldier Chester Duncan, who was featured Sunday in a Gazette investigation of troops who deploy with pending felonies, appeared in court Monday on leave from Afghanistan. He hoped for a light sentence that would ensure he could return. The judge did not give it to him. In…
DNA, SANE Nurse – Expert Analysis in Colorado Sexual Assault Conviction May Have Made the Difference
The Following verdict in a Colorado Sexual Assault Trial demonstrates the many levels of testimony that can be admitted in a trial .. it is instructive at many levels for that reason Jury convicts Valdez of sex crimes Thursday, Dec 30th, 2010 DEL NORTE, Colorado ・A Rio Grande County District…
Colorado Citizen Police Contact – Advisement Before Search
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer The New “Miranda Advisement” For Searches – Consent To Search Advisement For Fourth Amendment Searches and Seizures Colorado is one of only a few states to enact a requirement police officers advise a citizen of their right to refuse a search. Unlike…
The Right to Refuse a Jury Trial In A Criminal Trial – Is Not A Right At All
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer The Colorado Right To Waive A Jury Trial In A Criminal Case Under Colorado law, a person accused of a crime has the right to waive a jury trial pursuant to Section 18-1-406(2). But what may not be clear to the accused,…