H. Michael Steinberg has 42+ years of experience practicing Colorado criminal law. Mr. Steinberg strives to stay current with the ever changing aspects of criminal law issues and updates resulting in his extensive knowledge of successful criminal defense as well as appellate work. He is also an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association, the Colorado Trial Lawyer's Association, and the Colorado and Arapahoe Bar Associations.

Articles Posted in Search and Seizure

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Colorado Law - Plain View and Unlabeled Prescription Bottles
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Limits on the “Plain View Exception” to the 4th Amendment’s Requirement for a Search Warrant

Both the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, section 7 of the Colorado Constitution prohibit unreasonable searches and seizures. Any analysis of an alleged violation of your Fourth Amendment rights begins with an understanding of what the right actually protects – your right to privacy, …for the government to leave you alone.

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Search and Seizure Law Have You Been Seized by A Police OfficerBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – What Does It Mean to be Seized?

The phrase “search and seizure” is very familiar to most Americans, but a clear understanding by most of us of the moment when one is constitutionally “seized” – is a different question and is the subject of this brief piece.

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Cell Phone Searches and Seizures Under Colorado Law
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Basic Law -Your Right to Privacy – The Fourth Amendment

To fully understand when and under circumstances law enforcement may search your cell phone, one must start with an understanding of your basic rights under the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unlawful searches and seizures.

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Colorado Cell Phone Searches.jpgCell phones – 91% of us have them. Cell phones are a modern marvel defying most of us to com close to fully understand how they function. They are truly highly complex “mini computers” containing vast amounts of personal information that should remain private and well away from the eyes of law enforcement.

Recently the United States Supreme Court has been asked – in the case of Riley vs California – to set the standard for searches “incident to arrest” involving the seizure – but much more importantly – the search of the contents of cell phones.

A petition to the Supreme Court asks the court to clarify whether – and under what conditions – law enforcement may access the massive amounts of personal information on all of our cell phones without a search warrant.

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