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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Is Threatening a Civil Lawsuit a Form of Extortion Under 18-3-207 - Colorado?
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

It is common for threats of civil lawsuits to have the impact of a kind of extortion. Typically, one side blusters and threatens the other side with a lawsuit that will “destroy them” if they don’t settle in a way that is acceptable to the party making the threats.

The question is raised as to whether the person making this kind of threat is committing the crime of extortion. To answer that question, a close analysis of the complex crime of extortion is needed.

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A Close Look At The Colorado Crime of Stalking - 18-3-602By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

While I have previously written on the Colorado crime of stalking,  the crime is charged more and more commonly in Colorado and a deeper understanding of this complex crime is needed.

Stalking is a unique and relatively “new” crime whose elements are somewhat unusual and therefore equally unique to defend. This article closely explores the crime of stalking and issues surrounding both prosecuting and defending stalking cases in the courts of Colorado.

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Colorado Civil and Criminal Revenge Porn LawsBy Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg

The criminal side of Colorado’s revenge porn laws has not changed as of the date of this article (December 2020).

I have recently written on the Colorado criminal revenge porn laws and include this link to that article here. However, a quick review of the criminal consequences of publishing so-called revenge pornography may be helpful.

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Colorado Crime of Criminal Attempt 18-2-101By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – How Can You Be Guilty of a Crime If You Only Attempted to Commit that Crime?

The Crime of Attempt 18-2-101 CRS

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Surrendering on a Colorado Arrest WarrantBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

You’ve Just Learned About a Warrant Issued for Your Arrest – What Are Your Options?

The call may come from the officer investigating your case, or it may be a letter from the court informing you that there is a warrant issued for your arrest and you are ordered to turn yourself in.

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Colorado Law Places New Limits and Controls on Law Enforcement PowerBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

On June 19, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law Senate Bills 20 -217, a sweeping police accountability bill and SB 20 – 127 is otherwise referred to as An Act Enhance Law Enforcement Integrity (the Act).

The new law, enacted in the wake of the George Floyd murder, – Colorado Senate Bill SB 20-217 has, and will have, a massive impact on the Colorado law enforcement community. The new Act (Act) has different effective dates – different provisions are effective on different dates from 2021 – to 2023.

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Colorado Supreme Court Case Has Massive Impact Felony DUI Jury TrialsBy H. Michael Steinberg  Colorado DUI Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction

In a very recent decision by the Colorado Supreme Court, Linnebur v. Colorado, the Court decided that to prove a Felony DUI, which requires at least evidence of three prior DUI or DWAI convictions, those “priors” must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury.

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The “One Phone Call” and Other Myths - Understanding Your Rights After Being Arrested in ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been arrested most likely they will describe the experience as a terrifying. It may have just happened in front of your eyes – in the presence of your family.

This brief article is intended to help demystify and to help you understand the process and shed light on what usually happens next. It may give you the insight you need to put yourself at an advantage in defending the case.

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An Arrest is Not Proof of Anything in a Criminal Trial in ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – It is Well Understood that Colorado Criminal Juries Are Susceptible to Unfair Influence by the Prosecutor

Prosecutorial misconduct is defined by the United States Supreme Court as a circumstance where a prosecutor breaks a law or a code of professional ethics in the course of a prosecution. In Berger v. the United States, 295 U.S. 78 (1935),

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When the Colorado District Attorney Fails to Turn Over Key Evidence - What Will Happen?By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – “Making Discovery” – How a Defendant “Discovers” the Strengths or Weaknesses of the State’s Case

This process known as “making discovery” in a Colorado criminal case is the way a defendant literally “discovers” the evidence the state has collected to prosecute the case.

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