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.
Published on:

By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Right Of A Colorado Judge To Impose Alcohol – Drug Abstention And Monitoring In Second And Subsequent DUI Cases

Colorado Law actually, without a conviction and in the face of the presumption of innocence, forces a judge – as a matter of the judge’s pretrial authority – to order – as a condition of release on bond – that the individual accused of a second or subsequent Colorado Alcohol or Drug-related driving offense such as DWAI, DUI or DUID,

Published on:

By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer for Juvenile Crimes

In the Colorado juvenile case of F.M. v. The People of the State of Colorado, the COLORADO COURT OF APPEALS upheld a Colorado Adams County District Court Judge’s decision to deny F.M.’s Petition to Seal DESPITE A NOT GUILTY VERDICT


These are the Undisputed Facts in the Case

Published on:

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.

Published on:

Understanding Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases - First Know Your Client -Then Know The LawBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

H. Michael Steinberg has had extensive experience representing juveniles who have been charged having committed criminal acts. That experience spans the least serious traffic matters and minor misdemeanors to the most serious kinds of felony crimes.

“I have two “kids,” a son and a daughter. Both have become lawyers in the last two years (2018 -2019). One of my kids is a District Attorney, the other a criminal defense lawyer (go figure).

Published on:

Character Letters - A Guide From Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Attorney

Character Letters – A Guide From Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer- Character letters in Colorado criminal cases DO make a difference. This article is intended to be a comprehensive guide to help those who want to write letters for your Colorado criminal case to understand the components of a “successful” character letter.

https://www.criminal-lawyer-colorado.com/colorado-criminal-defense-lawyer-tactics-using-character-letters-in-plea-bargaining-and-at-sentencing-hearings.html

Published on:

A Guide To A Police Investigation Of Colorado Domestic Violence CasesBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Many are traumatized by a Colorado domestic violence investigation. When the police arrive at a “domestic” they are most often in a heightened state of fear (raging adrenalin) from the inherent danger surrounding their arrival.

I have prosecuted and defended domestic violence cases for almost 40 years in Colorado. The domestic violence (DV) reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, while intended to compel a more standardized and professional approach to the police response to DV incidents, have often resulted in mandatory arrests of the wrong party. That has been a direct result of poor training and broad mandates from well-intended laws applied improperly by the police.

Published on:

Colorado Criminal Statute Of LimitationsBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

What Exactly IS A Statute Of Limitations?

A statute is a law. A statute of limitations is a law that exactly specifies the maximum length of time allowed for Colorado District Attorneys to filed charges in a criminal case.

Published on:

Summons and Arrest Warrants In ColoradoBy H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Over the last 6 years, changes made by the Colorado State Legislature in 2016 has lead to far fewer arrests and incarcerations in Colorado. The change? Allowing Judges and District Attorneys to use a summons to come to court in lieu of an arrest warrant.

Defining Some Terms

Published on:

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.

Published on:

Law Of Jurisdiction In Colorado

Can I Be Prosecuted In The State Of Colorado?- Jurisdiction Issues

By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Specialist

The question often arises as to whether a person, who is targeted with the commission of a Colorado criminal act, can be prosecuted in the state of Colorado. This question raises the issue known as the jurisdiction of the court to “hear” to prosecute a criminal case.