When someone has been charged with a crime, they have a right to be informed of the nature of the charges against them.  In serious cases, They also have a right to an attorney and at every critical stage of their court case. But how do you know what you’ve been charged with and if...Read More

So you’re charged with a crime and you’re not sure why. Or you’ve been arrested and you’re trying to figure out what the prosecution has on you. Do you have to wait for trial to find out? Nope. that’s what criminal discovery is for.  This is about Colorado state cases. Discovery is different everywhere.  But,...Read More

The rights that you give up when pleading guilty in Colorado are usually written out in a plea form called a Rule 11. The paperwork lists these rights as well as details about the charge or charges to which you are pleading guilty, like the elements of the charge and the maximum penalties that can...Read More

“Victim impact testimony packs a punch at a criminal trial.” – People v. Martinez, 17CA1583 (COA Oct. 8, 2020) Division VII. Opinion by Judge Lipinski, Navarro and Tow, JJ., concur. For the government: Philip J. Weiser, Attorney General, Jacob R. Lofgren, Assistant Attorney General, Denver, Colorado For the Defendant: Megan A. Ring, Colorado State Public Defender,...Read More

As governments attempt to combat the spread of COVID-19, trials in the US have been postponed or canceled. But can they do that? Don’t you have a right to a speedy trial? Well, yes. But that phrase might not mean what you think it means. What is a speedy trial and where does that right...Read More