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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By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

FINAL-How-Can-I-Get-My-Property-Back-from-the-Police-in-Colorado-300x200Introduction

In many Colorado criminal cases – property belonging to the accused is seized and held as evidence. When the case is over the questions often asked are: can I get my property back and what is the procedure used to return non-contraband personal property?

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Theft by Colorado Contractors - 38-22-127 - the Trust Law
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Theft Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer

An Introduction to Understanding the “Theft by Colorado Contractors Law”- Section 38-22-127

A potential landmine that can lead to felony criminal theft charges for Colorado general and/or subcontractors lies in Colorado’s Construction Trust Fund Statute C.R.S. Section 38-22-127 (the Trust Statute).

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Colorado School Searches: An Increase in the Protection of Student’s Privacy Rights
H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Juvenile Rights Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Illegal Colorado School Searches

An important decision by the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2021, In the Interest of C.C.-S, for the first time applied the protections of the exclusionary rule to violations of a juvenile’s constitutional rights that were the result of an illegal search and seizure by Colorado school officials.

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Colorado Trial Judges Required to be Impartial
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Understanding the Role of Criminal Court Judges

The confusing and sometimes frightening world of the criminal courtroom includes common misperceptions of the role and the power of the trial judge.

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Lafler-Fyre-How-Effective-is-Your-Lawyer-During-the-Plea-Bargaining-Stage-2-300x200
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction to Part 2

In Part 1 of this two-part series, the basics of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at the plea bargaining stage of a criminal case were explored. Part 2 delves into the more complex, and often difficult “mechanics” of the attorney-client relationship as regards the duty to maintain only the clearest of communication during that critical stage.

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Lafler/Fyre - How “Effective” is Your Lawyer During the Plea Bargaining Stage
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – A System of Negotiations, and Very Few Trials

Black’s Law Dictionary defines a “plea bargain” as:

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The Right of a Colorado District Attorney to Add New Charges
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Power to Add Charges and the Right to Due Process

Tucked away in the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure is a small subsection of Rule 7. The section is Section (e) and it reads as follows:

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When-Free-Speech-Crosses-the-Line-Colorado-Harassment-Stalking-Cases-and-True-Threats-1-300x170
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – When Communications In Relationships Turn Criminal

When individuals in relationships are either in the time frame immediately prior to a break-up or in the emotionally confusing time during the break-up itself, communications between the parties can sometimes become “complicated” and the government made intrude on the lives of those individuals in the form of criminal charges.

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When a Judge Refuses to Follow a Plea Bargain in Colorado
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – A Massive ChangeTo Plea Bargains in the Colorado Criminal Justice System

Quietly, with little fanfare, the Colorado Supreme Court, in the case of People of the State of Colorado, v. Christopher Anthony Mazzarelli, massively changed what was previously considered fundamental Colorado criminal law in the area of plea bargaining.

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Newly Discovered Evidence After a Plea - Colorado Rule 35(c) Motion
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Newly Discovered Evidence: Following a Plea Bargain

One of the most troubling areas of Colorado criminal law is a situation where a Defendant, who is completely innocent or who may have a defense to a criminal charge, agrees to take a plea bargain because of a fear of a bad result at trial.

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