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.

Articles Posted in Ex Parte – Communications To A Judge In Colorado

Published on:

by

Why Can't OI Just Talk To The Judge?
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

The question – “why can’t I just talk directly to the Judge,” is often asked of me by my clients in Colorado criminal cases.

The reason is found at the heart of the sanctity of the criminal justice system itself… basic fairness. With very few exceptions, any contact by a “party” to a civil or criminal case requires the other side being present. If the other side is not present, it is called an “ex parte” contact. An ex parte contact violates the very foundation of the justice system because that contact is inherently unfair to the party not present.

Continue reading