Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Blog
Preparing For Your First Meeting with Your Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney
When you first meet with your Colorado Springs criminal defense attorney, you may feel frustrated, confused, or overwhelmed. You may not know which questions to ask, or you may have so many questions you don’t know where to start.
All these feelings are normal. To prepare for your first meeting with your criminal defense lawyer, consider the following tips:
Think of the meeting as the start of your defense. Throughout the process, you and your attorney will work together to protect your legal rights to the fullest extent possible, and to fight for the best possible outcome in your case. Think of this partnership’s “start date” as the day of your meeting with your attorney. To represent you in the best possible way, your attorney will need plenty of information about you and about what happened when you were arrested.
Four Tips for Choosing a Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney
Facing a criminal charge is tough. You may feel confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed. A criminal charge does not necessarily equate to guilt, yet it can negatively affect many areas of your life.
Choosing a criminal defense attorney with whom you feel comfortable and confident can help you tackle the challenge of a criminal charge head-on. If you’ve been accused of a crime in Colorado and you need to find a lawyer who can stand with you, keep the following tips in mind:
Colorado Considers a Bill to Increase Penalties for Certain Sex-Offense Convictions
Legislators in the Colorado House will soon be taking up consideration of a bill that would increase penalties for those who are convicted of certain sex-related offenses, according to a recent article in the Aurora Sentinel.
The bill, House Bill 14-1260, demands harsher penalties for people convicted of “a felony sex offense involving intrusion against a child who is under twelve years of age” when the convicted person is at least ten years older than the child, according to the language of the bill. The Aurora Sentinel describes it as a version of “Jessica’s Law,” a 2005 Florida statute that sought to track people convicted of certain sex offenses closely and to increase the penalties that came with these convictions.
DUI Express Consent Actions in Colorado
If you are arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI) in Colorado, your driver’s license may be suspended even if you have not been convicted of any crime. There are several scenarios, known as “express consent” situations, in which this may occur.
Drivers in Colorado are presumed to have consented to a chemical test for alcohol, like a breath or blood test, when they accepted their Colorado driver’s license. If you refuse to take a chemical test when asked to do so by a police officer, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked for at least 12 months.
Colorado Legislature Looks at New Cyberbullying Law
The Colorado legislature is considering a new bill that, if passed, will make online bullying behavior a crime, according to a recent CBS News report.
The bill passed unanimously through the House Education Committee recently, after lawmakers heard testimony from teens who were bullied via social media and other online sources. The bill will have to face one more committee vote before it can be submitted to the entire House for consideration. If the House accepts it, the bill will also have to be passed by the Senate and signed by Colorado governor John Hickenlooper before it becomes law.
Understanding the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus Test
The “horizontal gaze nystagmus” or “HGN” test is just one of the field sobriety tests a Colorado police officer may expect a driver to submit to when the driver is pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI). The test requires the driver to follow a small moving object with his or her eyes. By watching the eye movements, the police officer is supposed to be able to determine whether or not the driver is intoxicated.
While this test has an impressive, scientific-sounding name, the principles on which it is based should be analyzed carefully in any DUI criminal charge that depends on the results of the test.
Following Marijuana Legalization, Criminal Charges Plummet
The number of criminal charges filed on suspicion of marijuana-related crime dropped sharply after the state legalized limited possession of the substance for adults 21 and over, according to a recent article by the Denver Post.
An analysis by the news publication found that the number of marijuana-related cases filed in state court dropped by 77 percent between 2012 and 2013. Charges for small amounts of marijuana possession dropped the most: 81 percent fewer cases were filed in 2013 than in 2012.
Are You Ready for 2014? Top 5 New Year’s Resolutions
The New Year is always the time when we look at the past year and look forward to the birth of a new year. It’s not just a time to reflect on the changes we want to make in our lives, but also a time to resolve to follow through on those changes and make our dreams and wishes a reality. Here is a Top 5 list of New Year resolutions. See if your resolutions made the list:
- Lose weight and get fit: This is consistently on the top 5 list and is a good one for everyone to have. Weight loss and fitness are not just one-time goals. Maintaining weight loss is often more difficult than getting off the weight. So, losing weight and getting fit should be part of a lifestyle instead of a one-time affair.
Changes to Colorado DUI Laws Coming January 1
On January 1, 2014, House Bill 13-1240 will go into effect. This bill marks changes that have been a direct result of lobbying efforts by the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and DUI (driving under the influence) defense firms. House Bill 13-1240 alters several existing laws regarding license reinstatement
Once in effect, House Bill 13-1240 will allow a driver to apply for early reinstatement of their license if they have had their license revoked for one year or more because of a criminal conviction for DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, or has had their license revoked for multiple per se revocations under CRS § 42-2-126. A driver who has been convicted for a DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, or who has had their license revoked on multiple per se revocations may apply for early reinstatement with ignition interlock after he or she has served one month of the revocation.
Five Things Best Left Unsaid at the Thanksgiving Table
The Thanksgiving table is perfectly set. The turkey is tasty and tender. The mashed potatoes are just right. And then it begins – the bickering. Thanksgiving is that wonderful time of the year when families come together to express gratitude for everything we have received during the year. But, what happens at the table may be something entirely different, which is why many of us dread the conversations more than we may dread the cooking.
When it comes to maintaining peace at the Thanksgiving table, it is best to steer clear of topics that are inappropriate for the occasion. Here are five things that are best left unsaid at the Thanksgiving table:
1. Sweeping generalizations: These are always/never statements like: “You never call me back” or “You’ve always loved Jack more than you’ve loved me.” These types of statements can spark lengthy, conflict-ridden discussions, which is exactly what makes Thanksgiving a nightmare for many families.