H. Michael Steinberg has 42+ years of experience practicing Colorado criminal law. Mr. Steinberg strives to stay current with the ever changing aspects of criminal law issues and updates resulting in his extensive knowledge of successful criminal defense as well as appellate work. He is also an active member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association, the Colorado Trial Lawyer's Association, and the Colorado and Arapahoe Bar Associations.
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By H. Michael Steinberg

Burglary Crimes in Colorado: Class, Penalty, and Defenses To Those CrimesIntroduction:

Most people picture burglary as a masked intruder smashing a window at night. Colorado law is far broader. You can be charged with burglary without breaking anything, without taking anything, and sometimes without ever intending to hurt anyone.

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By H. Michael Steinberg

Why Can't I Go Right Home After a Colorado Domestic Violence Arrest?Introduction

The short answer clients want first, before anything else: not right away, and often not for a long time — even after you’re released from jail. Colorado treats a domestic violence arrest differently from almost any other arrest in the state, and the rules that keep you out of your own home can take effect before you’ve even spoken to a lawyer.

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By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

A Passenger Rights During a Traffic Stop Under Colorado LawIntroduction:

Getting pulled over is already stressful. But what if you are only the passenger? That can feel even more intimidating. You are not the one driving. You did not commit the traffic violation. You might not even know why the car is getting stopped.

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By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Practicing Colorado Criminal Law in the courts of Colorado for over 40 years.

Digital Evidence in Colorado Criminal Cases: Rules, Authentication, and Defense StrategiesIntroduction

Colorado criminal courts now see digital evidence in the majority of criminal prosecutions — from text messages and surveillance footage to social media posts and GPS location data. Understanding how that evidence is admitted, challenged, and potentially suppressed may make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.

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By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Practicing Colorado Criminal Law in the courts of Colorado for over 40 years.

Under Colorado Law Can You Be Convicted On One Person’s Word?Introduction:

Yes. In Colorado, a person can be convicted even when the case essentially comes down to one witness’s account against another’s—if the fact finder (usually a jury) believes the prosecution’s evidence proves every element beyond a reasonable doubt.

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By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Practicing Colorado Criminal Law in the courts of Colorado for over 40 years.

The-Colorado-Domestic-Violence-Refuses-to-Cooperate-RecantationIntroduction:

A recent Colorado case, People vs. Honstein, establishes the near-absolute power of a Colorado District Attorney to refuse to dismiss a domestic violence case and the extreme efforts of the defense to call the DA to the stand in an attempt to call that DA to account.

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Does Hiring A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Make You Look Guilty?By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Practicing Colorado Criminal Law in the courts of Colorado for over 40 years.

Introduction:

No.

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How to Make a Good Impression in a Colorado Courtroom When You're Charged With a Crime

By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Practicing Colorado Criminal Law in the courts of Colorado for over 40 years.

Introduction:

Facing a criminal charge in Colorado is stressful, and how you present yourself in court can genuinely influence outcomes — from how a judge sets bond conditions to how a prosecutor evaluates a plea offer to, in some cases, how a jury perceives your credibility.

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By H. Michael Steinberg, A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Practicing Colorado Criminal Law in the courts of Colorado for over 40 years.

In 2026-Insurance Companies Can No Longer Collect Criminal Restitution In ColoradoIntroduction:

For years, defendants in Colorado criminal cases faced a double financial punch at sentencing — ordered to pay restitution not just to the person they harmed, but also to that person’s insurance company for money the insurer already paid out under a policy. I felt this was an outrage when I was a prosecutor and even more so as a criminal defense lawyer.