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.
Published on:

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

Published on:

A Guide To A Police Investigation Of Colorado Domestic Violence CasesBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Many are traumatized by a Colorado domestic violence investigation. When the police arrive at a “domestic” they are most often in a heightened state of fear (raging adrenalin) from the inherent danger surrounding their arrival.

I have prosecuted and defended domestic violence cases for almost 40 years in Colorado. The domestic violence (DV) reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, while intended to compel a more standardized and professional approach to the police response to DV incidents, have often resulted in mandatory arrests of the wrong party. That has been a direct result of poor training and broad mandates from well-intended laws applied improperly by the police.

Published on:

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.

Published on:

Summons and Arrest Warrants In ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Over the last 6 years, changes made by the Colorado State Legislature in 2016 has lead to far fewer arrests and incarcerations in Colorado. The change? Allowing Judges and District Attorneys to use a summons to come to court in lieu of an arrest warrant.

Defining Some Terms

Published on:

Why Can't OI Just Talk To The Judge?
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

The question – “why can’t I just talk directly to the Judge,” is often asked of me by my clients in Colorado criminal cases.

The reason is found at the heart of the sanctity of the criminal justice system itself… basic fairness. With very few exceptions, any contact by a “party” to a civil or criminal case requires the other side being present. If the other side is not present, it is called an “ex parte” contact. An ex parte contact violates the very foundation of the justice system because that contact is inherently unfair to the party not present.

Published on:

Law Of Jurisdiction In Colorado

Can I Be Prosecuted In The State Of Colorado?- Jurisdiction Issues

By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Specialist

The question often arises as to whether a person, who is targeted with the commission of a Colorado criminal act, can be prosecuted in the state of Colorado. This question raises the issue known as the jurisdiction of the court to “hear” to prosecute a criminal case.

Published on:

By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

The-Power-Of-A-Colorado-Trial-Judge-To-Exclude-Evidence--300x300The Right To Present Defense At A Criminal Trial

The rules of evidence have the potential to be used by the District Attorney in your criminal case to keep out your defense from the jurors deciding your case.

Published on:

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.

Published on:

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.

Published on:

By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Colorado Right To A Speedy TrialSpeedy trial – Simplified

The Sixth Amendment Protects The Right To A Speedy Trial