If I can help you, please call my Criminal Law Office at 303-333-8900
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  • Areas of Practice
    • Assault
    • Burglary
    • Child Pornography
    • Computer Crime
    • Credit Card Fraud
    • Crimes Against Minors
    • Criminal Mischief
    • DMV Hearing
    • Domestic Violence Defense
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    • Fraud
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    • Furthering
    • Harassment
    • Identity Theft
    • Illegal Search and Seizure
    • Illegal Search of Auto
    • Indecent Exposure
    • Internet Crimes
    • Internet Exploitation of a Child
    • Internet Luring of a Child
    • Kidnapping
    • Menacing
    • Miranda Rights
    • Municipal Ordinance Violations
    • Offense Classification
    • Out of State Warrant
    • Possession
    • Probation Violations
    • Protection Orders
    • Reinstatement
    • Robbery / Aggravated Robbery
    • Sealing and Expungement
    • Sex Offender De Registration
    • Sex Offender Registration
    • Sexting
    • Sexual Assault Attorney Denver, Colorado
    • Sexual Assault on a Child (SAOC)
    • Shoplifting
    • Solicitation
    • Stalking
    • Theft
    • Traffic Tickets
    • Trespassing
    • Vehicular Assault & Vechicular Homicide
    • Warrants
    • What to Expect
    • White Collar Crime
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What to Expect

    Home What to Expect

    What To Expect in Criminal Court in Denver, Colorado

    We Guide You Through the Colorado Court Process
    Whether you have been arrested or charged for a crime, there is often uncertainty of what happens next or what to expect. At the law office of Philip M. Smith, Attorney at Law, I use my over 35 years of legal experience, 16 years as a district attorney, to help clients understand the criminal court process and what they can expect based on the charges against them.

    Philip M. Smith • Attorney • Denver, Colorado
    What to Expect in a Colorado Criminal Court
    Free Consultations • Call (303) 333-8900 • Email

    For a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side, contact my Denver criminal law office today. I handle cases involving felony, misdemeanor, and municipal ordinance violations. The following is a summary of what you can expect at each level:

    Colorado Municipal Ordinance Violations

    • Plea bargaining: You can initiate plea bargaining with the city attorney at the initial appearance without the assistance of a lawyer
    • Investigation: Violations are often not thoroughly investigated by the police; however, a police report is not available until a not guilty plea is entered
    • Trial: Trial should be held within 90 days of a not-guilty plea
    • Time: Typically charges can be resolved in 2-3 months
    • Sentence: If convicted, generally the individual will face a fine of up to $1000. However, jail time of up to 1 year is possible

     

    Misdemeanors in Colorado

    • Plea bargaining: After being arrested or summoned and advised of your rights, you will meet with the district attorney to discuss plea bargaining, it is important to have a lawyer at this stage.
    • Trial: Trial should be held within 6 months of a not guilty plea.
    • Sentence: There are 3 classes of misdemeanors and 2 classes of petty offenses. For conviction of a class 1 misdemeanor, the maximum penalty is 2 years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

     

    Felonies in Colorado

    • Arrest: An arrest must be the result of probable cause, either through a valid search warrant or other means. Less serious felony cases can be initiated by service of a summons, sometimes by mail. Do not ignore a summons. An arrest warrant will follow if you do not go to court
    • Plea bargaining: Plea bargaining can begin at any stage within the process
    • Court: There are many court appearances, including your first appearance in the County Court, advisement of your rights, appearance of your counsel, preliminary hearing, mandatory disposition conference, and appearance in district court
    • Trial: Felony charges must be resolved or set for trial within 6 months of a not-guilty plea
    • Sentence: Sentences will vary depending on severity of the crime, prior convictions, and other factors

     

    Contact My Law Office

    If you need a Denver Colorado area Criminal Attorney to discuss your  Colorado Criminal Court Case or if you have questions about an outstanding criminal case, I encourage you to contact me, Criminal Defense Lawyer, Philip M. Smith, 303-333-8900 today for a free and confidential initial consultation.

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    “Thank you, Mr. Smith. You’ve made a tremendous difference in my life with your work and effort on my behalf. I’ll start alerting my family about our success. People told me I’d never be free from this, but you proved them wrong”

    -W.K., Sealing and Expungement of Criminal Records

    • Tell Us About Your Case

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      This website has been developed and designed to provide general information about criminal defense law and is not intended to replace professional legal advice from a licensed Colorado attorney. Nothing on this website should be taken as creating an attorney-client relationship nor as providing legal advice in any individual situation. All communication with me and my staff is privileged and completely confidential. A formal attorney-client relationship is established by a contract and payment of a retainer.
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      Before you speak with Police

    Colorado Criminal Defense

    Areas of Practice

    • Assault
    • Burglary
    • Child Pornography
    • Computer Crime
    • Controlled Substances
    • Credit Card Fraud
    • Crimes against Minors
    • Criminal Mischief
    • DMV Hearing
    • Domestic Violence Defense
    • Expunge Juvenile Criminal Records
    • Forgery
    • Fraud
    • Fraud by Check
    • Furthering
    • Harassment
    • Identity Theft
    • Illegal Search and Seizure
    • Illegal Search of Auto
    • Indecent Exposure
    • Internet Crimes
    • Internet Exploitation of a Child
    • Internet Luring of a Child
    • Kidnapping
    • Menacing
    • Miranda Rights
    • Municipal Ordinance Violations
    • Out of State Warrant
    • Possession
    • Probation Violations
    • Protection Orders
    • Reinstatement
    • Robbery / Aggravated Robbery
    • Sealing and Expungement
    • Sex Offender De Registration
    • Sex Offender Registration
    • Sexting
    • Sexual Assault Attorney Denver, Colorado
    • Sexual Assault on a Child (SAOC)
    • Shoplifting
    • Solicitation
    • Stalking
    • Theft
    • Traffic Tickets
    • Trespassing
    • Vehicular Assault & Vehicular Homicide
    • Warrants
    • What to Expect
    • White Collar Crime

    Philip M. Smith Contact Info
    1776 South Jackson Suite 610
    Denver, Colorado 80210


    PH: 303-333-8900
    FX: 303-333-8901


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    Recent Blog Posts

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    Produdly Serving All Of Colorado

    The Criminal Defense Law Firm of Philip M. Smith proudly represents clients throughout Colorado’s jurisdictions including the municipalities of Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Commerce City, Denver, Edgewater, Englewood, Federal Heights, Glendale, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Morrison, Mountain View, Northglenn, Thornton and Westminster. We also serve all misdemeanor and felony criminal cases in Adams County, Arapahoe County, Denver Country, Gilpin County, and Jefferson County.

    1776 South Jackson Suite 610
    Denver, Colorado 80210

    Phone: 303-333-8900
    Fax: 303-333-8901
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    © Copyright Philip M. Smith Attorney, All rights Reserved.
    • My Firm
    • Areas of Practice
      • Assault
      • Burglary
      • Child Pornography
      • Computer Crime
      • Credit Card Fraud
      • Crimes Against Minors
      • Criminal Mischief
      • DMV Hearing
      • Domestic Violence Defense
      • Drugs
      • Expunge Juvenile Criminal Records
      • Forgery
      • Fraud
      • Fraud by Check
      • Furthering
      • Harassment
      • Identity Theft
      • Illegal Search and Seizure
      • Illegal Search of Auto
      • Indecent Exposure
      • Internet Crimes
      • Internet Exploitation of a Child
      • Internet Luring of a Child
      • Kidnapping
      • Menacing
      • Miranda Rights
      • Municipal Ordinance Violations
      • Offense Classification
      • Out of State Warrant
      • Possession
      • Probation Violations
      • Protection Orders
      • Reinstatement
      • Robbery / Aggravated Robbery
      • Sealing and Expungement
      • Sex Offender De Registration
      • Sex Offender Registration
      • Sexting
      • Sexual Assault Attorney Denver, Colorado
      • Sexual Assault on a Child (SAOC)
      • Shoplifting
      • Solicitation
      • Stalking
      • Theft
      • Traffic Tickets
      • Trespassing
      • Vehicular Assault & Vechicular Homicide
      • Warrants
      • What to Expect
      • White Collar Crime
    • Assault
    • Sex Offenses
    • Traffic
      • Colorado Suspended Driver’s License and Revoked Licenses
      • Colorado (Red) Restricted Driver’s License
      • Reinstating Your Driver’s License In Colorado
      • DMV Hearing
      • Hit And Run Or Leaving The Scene
      • Vehicular Assault & Vechicular Homicide
    www.philipsmithlaw.com