Criminal Defense Lawyers in Colorado Springs

Police are allowed to conduct searches without a search warrant in several different situations. For example, if the search happens at the time of an arrest, if the item seized was in plain sight, or if you consent to the search, a search warrant will not be required. However, there are limits to these searches, and officers often push those limits. If you feel you have been subject to illegal search and seizure, contact a criminal defense attorney from The Lux Law Firm for a free consultation to assess your case and provide the skilled legal counsel you need to assert your rights under the law.

Certain crimes are classified as misdemeanors, and other crimes as felonies. The main difference between the two is that, in most cases, misdemeanors carry lighter penalties than felonies and result in fewer privileges being lost. In Colorado, misdemeanors are punishable by terms of 24 months or less in a county or local jail. Felonies are more serious crimes, punishable by state prison terms of 1 year or more. While in most cases, those convicted of misdemeanors retain their rights, felons generally lose their right to vote while incarcerated, the right to own firearms, and the right to certain kinds of employment, like being a lawyer or a teacher.

You always have the Constitutional right to remain silent. Whether or not you are informed of this right, you always have it. Even if you do not feel free to walk away, you are arrested, or you are in jail, you do not have to answer any questions from a law enforcement officer – with one exception. You must identify yourself if the law enforcement officer asks you to. Other than identifying yourself, your best choice when being questioned is to stay quiet except to request an attorney, which is also a Constitutional right. Once your lawyer is present, they can advise you on what questions to answer and what questions not to answer.

One of the best possible outcomes for your criminal case is for the case to be dismissed. Whether your case can be dismissed depends on many factors, including what crime you are charged with and what evidence the prosecutor has against you. A skilled criminal defense attorney from The Lux Law Firm will scrutinize all of the actions of law enforcement and the prosecution to see if any violations of your constitutional rights, or even if any policies and procedures, have been violated. If they have, sometimes this can be grounds for dismissing your case before trial, which means that you will not have a conviction on your record or a sentence to serve.