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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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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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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The “I Drank So Much I Blacked Out “ Defense - Voluntary Intoxication - The LawBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Blacking Out From Alcohol, Drugs Or Both

“Qui peccat ebrius, luat sobrius.”

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Housing Laws That Protect Alleged VictimsBy H. Michael Steinberg – Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Colorado’s Domestic Violence Housing Laws

Colorado Law, as well as many other states, provides protection for those individuals who claim to be victims of domestic violence and live in rental units. Under this law, a tenant who has been a victim of domestic violence may terminate their lease agreement before it expires providing a right for the alleged victim – (even in the absence of a conviction of the alleged perpetrator of the domestic violence) – to leave the rental unit without any further obligation to the landlord or the lease agreement.

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When-Reasonable-Doubt-Was-Changed-Colorado-Crim-Law-Update-300x200By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Burden of Proof In Colorado Criminal Cases

In December of 2022, in a move that shocked many in the Colorado criminal justice system, the Colorado Supreme Court Model Criminal Jury Instructions Committee (the Committee), notwithstanding decades of approval of the previous definition, changed one of the most critical jury instructions read to Colorado juries in criminal case – the definition of beyond a reasonable doubt.

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By H. Michael Steinberg – Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

restitution,probation,Colorado,time to pay, good cause to extend probationIntroduction – Colorado Restitution Law – Extending Probation to Pay Unpaid Restitution

There are many Colorado criminal cases in which the restitution order – the amount of restitution ordered by the Judge – far exceeds the ability of a Defendant to make the total payments necessary to fulfill that Court’s order.

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Colorado Law - Plain View and Unlabeled Prescription Bottles
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Limits on the “Plain View Exception” to the 4th Amendment’s Requirement for a Search Warrant

Both the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article II, section 7 of the Colorado Constitution prohibit unreasonable searches and seizures. Any analysis of an alleged violation of your Fourth Amendment rights begins with an understanding of what the right actually protects – your right to privacy, …for the government to leave you alone.

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Colorado Decision Ends Mixed Sentences - Prison then Probation
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – A Massively Important Decision for Colorado Criminal Law

In late 2019 the Colorado Supreme Court unanimously decided Allman v People. The holding of the case was simple – “mixed sentences,”– sentences in the same case that imposed prison followed by probation, were illegal both prospectively, and retroactively.