Fight Your Denver Criminal Charges with the Strongest Possible Criminal Defense
No one ever expects that they are going to face criminal allegations and require the help of a criminal defense lawyer. One moment you are going about your day, and the next, a police officer places you in handcuffs and hauls you down to the police station.
Needless to say, the entire experience can be incredibly overwhelming. Some people react by putting up a wall and acting like the situation is no big deal. Others catastrophize, deciding that there is nothing left to do and their lives are over. A fair number react with anger at the unfairness of it all. All of these reactions, while understandable, can actually result in additional complications and even land you in further trouble.
So, how should you react? The best thing to do in this situation is to reach out to a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Why? Because the repercussions of a criminal conviction loom large in our state – no matter what your alleged offense – and you need a skilled Colorado legal defense group on your side that can clearly and concisely explain what is going on and what legal options are available to you.
The experienced Denver criminal defense lawyers at WeedenLaw have dealt with cases involving all kinds of criminal charges, from DUI defense to domestic violence cases. They understand what it takes to craft the strongest possible defense based on the specific facts of your case. You need criminal defense that will provide you with the best chances of getting your charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed, or avoiding a guilty verdict should your case go to trial, and that’s just what you’ll get when you work with WeedenLaw. Attorney Jeff Weeden has helped countless Coloradans over the years, and he has the resources, skills, and knowledge to help you, too.
Charged with a Crime in Denver, CO?
The repercussions of a criminal conviction can follow you around for a lifetime and seep into every aspect of your life, including your professional, financial, familial, and even love life. Depending on your particular charge, you might face prison time, high fines, the loss of your driver’s or professional license, sex offender registration, having your children taken away, and more. What’s more, criminal charges in Colorado carry some of the stiffest penalties in the country, with many offenses including the possibility of decades in prison, exorbitant fines, and other extreme consequences. For the more serious crimes, you can even get life in prison or the death penalty.
Of course, the consequences you face depend on the severity of the charge, and in our state, criminal offenses are divided into misdemeanors and felonies, then further subdivided into different classes. Below are details about the general penalties you are up against based on the level of misdemeanor or felony you have been charged with.
Class 2 Misdemeanors
This class of misdemeanor is the least serious. As such, it has the least severe consequences attached to it. If you are convicted of a Class 2 misdemeanor in Denver, CO, you are met with the possibility of 3-12 months in jail, between $250 and $1,000 in fines, or both. Low-level theft crimes, certain traffic violations, and criminal trespassing are a few examples.
Class 1 Misdemeanors
The most serious misdemeanor offense in our state, a Class 1 misdemeanor, includes 6-18 months in jail, anywhere between $500 to $5,000 in fines, or both. Indecent exposure, child abuse, third-degree assault, and failure to register as a sex offender are all examples of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Class 6 Felonies
A Class 6 felony is the least serious felony in our statutes, but the consequences are still more severe than those of any misdemeanor offense. Conviction comes with the possibility of 12-18 months in prison and between $1,000 to $100,000 in fines. Examples of a Class 6 felony criminal offense include animal cruelty and impersonating a police officer.
Class 5 Felonies
The next level of felony, Class 5, includes the possibility of 1-3 years in prison and $1,000 to $100,000 in fines. Criminally negligent homicide and certain white-collar crimes, such as forgery or embezzlement of public property, may be categorized as a Class 5 felony in Denver, CO. Three subsequent convictions of domestic violence (habitual offender) may also warrant a Class 5 felony charge.
Class 4 Felonies
If you are convicted of a Class 4 felony in Colorado, you could get anywhere between 2-6 years in prison and between $2,000 to $500,000 in fines. Sexual assault, statutory rape, sexual assault on a child, identity theft, and manslaughter in Colorado are all examples of this class.
Class 3 Felonies
Penalties for a Class 3 felony in Denver, CO include 4-12 years in state prison and $3,000-$750,000 in fines. Examples of Class 3 felonies include first-degree assault and battery, first-degree burglary, aggravated robbery, and first-degree arson, to name a few.
Class 2 Felonies
Anyone found guilty of a Class 2 felony in Colorado may be punished with a minimum of 8 years to a maximum of 24 years in prison and between $5,000 to $1,000,000 in fines. These types of criminal cases often involve serious crimes such as human trafficking, second-degree murder, and theft of property valued at $1 million or more.
Class 1 Felonies
This charge is reserved for only the most heinous crimes, such as first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping, and the penalties fit this designation. If convicted of a Class 1 felony in Denver, CO, you could get life in prison or even the death penalty.
In addition to these general criminal consequences, specific types of crimes come with specific penalties. For example, most sex crimes require sex offender registration, while drunk and drugged driving can result in the loss of your driver’s license or the requirement to use an IID in your car. For Colorado drug crimes, penalties depend on the schedule of the drug and the level of offense. These are just a few examples. Your Colorado criminal defense attorney can further explain these more specific penalties.
How Denver Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeff Weeden Can Help Your Case
The point of hiring a Denver, Colorado criminal defense attorney like Jeff Weeden to help fight your criminal charges is two-fold:
1. You get someone with an in-depth knowledge of Colorado criminal law who gives you the best chance at reaching a positive outcome.
2. You can rest a little bit easier knowing that an experienced legal professional will guide you through the criminal justice process and ensure no mistakes will be made.
When you work with a criminal defense law firm like WeedenLaw, you’ll get legal assistance from focused, caring, and aggressive criminal defense attorneys who want to make this process go as smoothly as possible for you, all while striving for the most favorable result based on what you hope to achieve and the facts of your case. To this end, Mr. Weeden and the other criminal lawyers at WeedenLaw always work hard to break down what is happening in your criminal case so it is easy for you to understand.
The criminal defense lawyers at our Denver law office want to give you a voice and a say in your future, so we welcome any questions or concerns our clients have and pride ourselves on our availability. In terms of getting results, our goal is to work with you to develop an aggressive defense strategy, whether that means getting your charges dropped, dismissed, or reduced, reaching a reasonable plea agreement, or fighting for an acquittal at trial. Depending on the nature of your situation, this may involve using investigators, analysts, polygraph examiners, and expert witnesses to prepare your case – and you – for anything that comes.
Denver Criminal Defense Cases Our Law Firm Commonly Handles
If you do not see your particular criminal charge listed here, do not hesitate to get in touch. The best way to know for sure if our law office can help is to reach out.
As you’ll see above, in addition to the different types of legal cases we handle and criminal charges we defend, our Denver criminal defense attorneys are also able to assist clients with expungements and sealing of criminal records. Whether your criminal defense case requires us to fight for you in Colorado Criminal Court or Federal Court, the attorneys at WeedenLaw are always prepared.
What To Look For in a Criminal Defense Firm
When you seek legal representation, it’s similar to searching for a doctor in some ways. You could seek a full-service law firm, which in this scenario might be like a family doctor or general practitioner. On the other hand, you could seek a specialist. Think about it this way. If you are having digestive issues, are you going to seek treatment from a neurologist? Or vice versa, if you have a brain disease, would you go to your gastroenterologist? The same idea applies to attorneys practicing law. If you are facing criminal charges for drug offenses, would you seek the help of a civil litigation or family law attorney?
The point is, it doesn’t make much sense to obtain the services of someone who works primarily in personal injury law over someone who only handles Denver criminal defense matters. While both attorneys went to law school and received a State Bar license, you want someone who dedicates all of their time and attention to criminal matters so you know you’re in the best hands.
That person is Jeff Weeden. Attorney Jeff Weeden focuses his entire law practice on only handling criminal cases in both state and federal courts. He doesn’t concern himself with other areas of law because he knows he is the most beneficial to his clients when he puts all of his efforts into criminal defense matters. His dedication to his firm and knowledge in the area is best demonstrated through his previous clients’ reviews and testimonials as well as the recognition he receives in the legal field. Mr. Weeden has been awarded several distinguished peer and client-rated honors and is a member of the Denver and Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association. He was also rated in the Top 100 trial lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association and has received numerous AVVO awards.
Why Those Facing Criminal Charges Should Get in Touch with WeedenLaw As Soon as They’re Charged
When it comes to Colorado criminal cases, the first few days after an arrest are often some of the most important. This is the time when police typically have you in custody and will do everything they can to get incriminating evidence or a confession out of you. If you have an experienced Denver criminal defense attorney by your side, they will be able to advise you on how to act and what you should and should not say. Moreover, they will know what the police are legally able to do and hold them accountable if they violate your rights or otherwise go beyond the bounds of the law.
Beyond this, it is a simple matter of time: the longer a lawyer has to craft a defense for you, the stronger it is likely to be. Delaying serves no purpose other than to give the prosecutor even more of a head start. Avoid this mistake and obtain qualified legal counsel as soon as possible, whether that is when you learn you are under investigation or after you have been arrested and charged.
Aggressive Representation for Those Facing Criminal Charges in Colorado
If you’re in criminal trouble, you need help from a law firm that you know has your best interests at heart. One meeting with Jeff Weeden, and you’ll know you’ve found your guy. To schedule your free consultation and establish an attorney-client relationship with an aggressive criminal defense attorney, call our Denver law offices at 720-307-4330 or fill out our online intake form today.