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.

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Changing Your Mind? - Trying To Withdraw From A Plea Bargain Before You Have Been Sentenced in ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction

Attempting to withdraw a plea of guilty before the sentencing stage is a complex area of Colorado law. This article addresses that complexity and outlines some of the key issues that make the road to that withdrawal from the plea and subsequent restoration of a defendant’s trial rights, very difficult, if not impossible.

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Understanding the Power of a Colorado District Attorney To Bring Charges and to Prosecute a CaseBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Power To Prosecute

Colorado’s District Attorneys are elected officials who run for office every four years. Once elected, the District Attorney has almost limitless power to bring criminal charges or not, to plea bargain charges already filed or not, or to dismiss charges that have already been filed.

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Can You Refuse To Testify In A Colorado Criminal TrialBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Role Of Witnesses

The role of witness testimony is the bedrock of every criminal trial. If witnesses had the right to refuse to come to court and to testify the criminal justice system would surely collapse.

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Crossing The Line - DA Cannot Instruct Witnesses To Refuse To Talk To The DefenseBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

This is important as the result of a violation of this rule could influence the result of your Colorado criminal case.

Prosecutors and Defense Lawyers in Colorado criminal cases are legally prohibited from any attempt to barred influence ANY witness or possible witness or source of information, from cooperating with or speaking to the other side to the case.

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prose 1.jpgBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

While it may not make good common sense to flip off a police officer or use profanity when he or she is deciding whether to cite you with a traffic offense or to arrest you for a crime that is – well “arrestable” or not depending on the officer’s discretion — it is clear in Colorado that the US and Colorado versions of the First Amendment’s protection for free speech are alive and well.

Two recent Colorado cases have resulted in dismissals and large monetary awards after police officers made arrests in response to being fliped off or being sworn at by Colorado citizens.

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Failing to Appear In Colorado Criminal CourtsBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Does Failing To Appear For Court Really Have Serious Consequences In Colorado?

Failing to appear in the Colorado criminal court system IS serious. Unlike missing an appointment with a doctor, lawyer, or dentist, there are serious consequences. This article addresses the nature of failure to appear incidents and what to do if you miss your court date.

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Character Letters - A Guide From Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Attorney

Character Letters – A Guide From Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer- Character letters in Colorado criminal cases DO make a difference. This article is intended to be a comprehensive guide to help those who want to write letters for your Colorado criminal case to understand the components of a “successful” character letter.

https://www.criminal-lawyer-colorado.com/colorado-criminal-defense-lawyer-tactics-using-character-letters-in-plea-bargaining-and-at-sentencing-hearings.html

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Colorado Criminal Statute Of LimitationsBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

What Exactly IS A Statute Of Limitations?

A statute is a law. A statute of limitations is a law that exactly specifies the maximum length of time allowed for Colorado District Attorneys to filed charges in a criminal case.

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By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Probation Violations Based On The Commission A New Crime - And “Biased” JudgesTwo Types Of Colorado Probation Violations

The two basic types of probation violations are technical violations and violations based upon the commission of new crimes. Judges who sentence Defendants in the latter type of cases often express disappointment that reflects their regret that by granting probation they “took a chance” on the Defendant and that risk was a mistake.

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By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Colorado Prescription Fraud Cases - C.R.S. 18-18-415Prescription Fraud crimes in Colorado under C.R.S. 18-18-415 are becoming more common in a time when an opioid addiction crisis is gripping the nation.

The crime, commonly referred to as “script fraud” basically consists of using fraud, deceit, or forgery to obtain prescription drugs. It is a Class Four Drug Felony (DF-4) and brings with it a possible sentence of up to 12 months in jail and/or a $100,000.00 fine.

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