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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Surrendering on a Colorado Arrest WarrantBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

You’ve Just Learned About a Warrant Issued for Your Arrest – What Are Your Options?

The call may come from the officer investigating your case, or it may be a letter from the court informing you that there is a warrant issued for your arrest and you are ordered to turn yourself in.

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The “One Phone Call” and Other Myths - Understanding Your Rights After Being Arrested in ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been arrested most likely they will describe the experience as a terrifying. It may have just happened in front of your eyes – in the presence of your family.

This brief article is intended to help demystify and to help you understand the process and shed light on what usually happens next. It may give you the insight you need to put yourself at an advantage in defending the case.

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An Arrest is Not Proof of Anything in a Criminal Trial in ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – It is Well Understood that Colorado Criminal Juries Are Susceptible to Unfair Influence by the Prosecutor

Prosecutorial misconduct is defined by the United States Supreme Court as a circumstance where a prosecutor breaks a law or a code of professional ethics in the course of a prosecution. In Berger v. the United States, 295 U.S. 78 (1935),

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When the Colorado District Attorney Fails to Turn Over Key Evidence - What Will Happen?By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – “Making Discovery” – How a Defendant “Discovers” the Strengths or Weaknesses of the State’s Case

This process known as “making discovery” in a Colorado criminal case is the way a defendant literally “discovers” the evidence the state has collected to prosecute the case.

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Changing Your Mind? - Trying To Withdraw From A Plea Bargain Before You Have Been Sentenced in ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction

Attempting to withdraw a plea of guilty before the sentencing stage is a complex area of Colorado law. This article addresses that complexity and outlines some of the key issues that make the road to that withdrawal from the plea and subsequent restoration of a defendant’s trial rights, very difficult, if not impossible.

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Understanding the Power of a Colorado District Attorney To Bring Charges and to Prosecute a CaseBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Power To Prosecute

Colorado’s District Attorneys are elected officials who run for office every four years. Once elected, the District Attorney has almost limitless power to bring criminal charges or not, to plea bargain charges already filed or not, or to dismiss charges that have already been filed.

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Can You Refuse To Testify In A Colorado Criminal TrialBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Role Of Witnesses

The role of witness testimony is the bedrock of every criminal trial. If witnesses had the right to refuse to come to court and to testify the criminal justice system would surely collapse.

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Crossing The Line - DA Cannot Instruct Witnesses To Refuse To Talk To The DefenseBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

This is important as the result of a violation of this rule could influence the result of your Colorado criminal case.

Prosecutors and Defense Lawyers in Colorado criminal cases are legally prohibited from any attempt to barred influence ANY witness or possible witness or source of information, from cooperating with or speaking to the other side to the case.

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prose 1.jpgBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

While it may not make good common sense to flip off a police officer or use profanity when he or she is deciding whether to cite you with a traffic offense or to arrest you for a crime that is – well “arrestable” or not depending on the officer’s discretion — it is clear in Colorado that the US and Colorado versions of the First Amendment’s protection for free speech are alive and well.

Two recent Colorado cases have resulted in dismissals and large monetary awards after police officers made arrests in response to being fliped off or being sworn at by Colorado citizens.

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Failing to Appear In Colorado Criminal CourtsBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Does Failing To Appear For Court Really Have Serious Consequences In Colorado?

Failing to appear in the Colorado criminal court system IS serious. Unlike missing an appointment with a doctor, lawyer, or dentist, there are serious consequences. This article addresses the nature of failure to appear incidents and what to do if you miss your court date.