H. Michael Steinberg has 38+ 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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Colorado Criminal Law: Do I Need A Private Investigator? By H. Michael Steinberg, Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – First – Why A Criminal Defense Lawyer Cannot Be A “True Investigator”

The Role Of A Criminal Defense Lawyer

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The-Claim-That-One-Was-Duped-Compelled-Into-Pleading-Guilty-By-Their-Lawyer
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction: Understanding The Concept Of A “Knowing And Intelligent Plea” Of Guilty In Colorado

Those charged with a crime in Colorado have at a minimum three fundamental Constitutional rights:

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Colorado-Criminal-Law-The-Impact-Of-Police-Body-Cam-Laws-24-31-902-CRS-By H Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Use Of Body Cameras In The Investigation And Prosecution Of Crimes In Colorado

I have watched in amazement, over the few years, as police body cam footage has revolutionized law enforcement in ways that have impacted, not only the most serious criminal cases, but the least serious criminal charges. While it has been a quiet revolution – there is little question that body cam has greatly impacted the prosecution and defense of criminal cases.

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Introduction - One Myth About Small Town Juries Addressed - Jury SelectionBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – One Myth About Small Town Juries Addressed – Jury Selection

It is a commonly held belief that potential jurors in small towns are more likely to have multiple inherent conflicts of interest and therefore cannot fairly decide a criminal case. The reason… “everyone knows everyone.”  The law does not agree.  Knowing a trial participant, the accused, an alleged victim, or a witness in a criminal case, does NOT automatically disqualify a potential juror from sitting on a jury.

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Colorado Juvenile Law - Police Stopped From Lying To Kids In Criminal InvestigationsBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Lawyer

Introduction – Understanding Colorado’s New Law – Stopping The Police from Lying to Juveniles in Criminal Investigations

In Colorado adult criminal investigations the police are allowed to lie to, mislead, and otherwise trick their targets. That has been the law for quite some time.

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When The Police Watch You - Pole Cameras And Colorado Law
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Technology That “Watches Us”

The collective forces of Colorado law enforcement use various technology to conduct surveillance ostensibly as a means of detecting crime. These technologies used can vary from GPS devices attached to automobiles, to cell towers used to trace the movement of cell phones, to the subject of this article – the use of so called “pole cameras” to record the movements of people in public places.

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Factoring In An Appeal In A Colorado Criminal Case By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Words Quietly Spoken By Criminal Defendants Going To Trial

“If I lose at trial, I can always appeal.”

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Colorado Felony Menacing Laws And Road Rage Prosecutions - 18-3-206 CRSIntroduction – Road Rage Arrests Involving Deadly Weapons – Most Often Charged As The Crime Of Felony Menacing In Colorado

In 2023, a Colorado man shot and killed a 13 year old following a road rage confrontation and also wounded the child’s mother. He was sentenced to life in prison.

In 2023, two very young men only 18 years of age, were also charged with first-degree murder in Colorado road rage incidents.

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KW: Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer,Why, You Really DON’T Want a Pitbull Lawyer,By H. Michael Steinberg – Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Why You Really DON’T Want a Pitbull Lawyer

After practicing of criminal law on both sides of the courtrooms of Colorado for the last 40 years I have learned a few things. One of those things is that the popular media-driven image of a bulldog-like attorney who barks and snaps at everyone in the system with the sole intention of impressing an audience of one – their client – poses a danger to that client of major proportions.

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The-I-Drank-So-Much-I-Blacked-Out-Defense-Involuntary-Intoxication-The-Law-Part-2-1-300x169By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Involuntary Intoxication – The Law

In Part 1 of this series I addressed voluntary intoxication as a defense to Colorado criminal charges. This article now focuses on defending a criminal charge based on involuntary intoxication – for example – where the accused is secretly drugged or otherwise forced to consume substances involuntarily (without their consent) and in that state of mind commits criminal acts.