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.
Published on:

by

Colorado School Searches: An Increase in the Protection of Student’s Privacy Rights
H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Juvenile Rights Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Illegal Colorado School Searches

An important decision by the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2021, In the Interest of C.C.-S, for the first time applied the protections of the exclusionary rule to violations of a juvenile’s constitutional rights that were the result of an illegal search and seizure by Colorado school officials.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

Colorado Trial Judges Required to be Impartial
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Understanding the Role of Criminal Court Judges

The confusing and sometimes frightening world of the criminal courtroom includes common misperceptions of the role and the power of the trial judge.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

Lafler-Fyre-How-Effective-is-Your-Lawyer-During-the-Plea-Bargaining-Stage-2-300x200
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction to Part 2

In Part 1 of this two-part series, the basics of a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel at the plea bargaining stage of a criminal case were explored. Part 2 delves into the more complex, and often difficult “mechanics” of the attorney-client relationship as regards the duty to maintain only the clearest of communication during that critical stage.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

Lafler/Fyre - How “Effective” is Your Lawyer During the Plea Bargaining Stage
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – A System of Negotiations, and Very Few Trials

Black’s Law Dictionary defines a “plea bargain” as:

Continue reading
Published on:

by

The Right of a Colorado District Attorney to Add New Charges
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – The Power to Add Charges and the Right to Due Process

Tucked away in the Colorado Rules of Criminal Procedure is a small subsection of Rule 7. The section is Section (e) and it reads as follows:

Continue reading
Published on:

by

When-Free-Speech-Crosses-the-Line-Colorado-Harassment-Stalking-Cases-and-True-Threats-1-300x170
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – When Communications In Relationships Turn Criminal

When individuals in relationships are either in the time frame immediately prior to a break-up or in the emotionally confusing time during the break-up itself, communications between the parties can sometimes become “complicated” and the government made intrude on the lives of those individuals in the form of criminal charges.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

When a Judge Refuses to Follow a Plea Bargain in Colorado
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – A Massive ChangeTo Plea Bargains in the Colorado Criminal Justice System

Quietly, with little fanfare, the Colorado Supreme Court, in the case of People of the State of Colorado, v. Christopher Anthony Mazzarelli, massively changed what was previously considered fundamental Colorado criminal law in the area of plea bargaining.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

Newly Discovered Evidence After a Plea - Colorado Rule 35(c) Motion
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction – Newly Discovered Evidence: Following a Plea Bargain

One of the most troubling areas of Colorado criminal law is a situation where a Defendant, who is completely innocent or who may have a defense to a criminal charge, agrees to take a plea bargain because of a fear of a bad result at trial.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

By H. Michael Steinberg, Colorado Criminal Defense LawyerWhat is the Colorado Jasper Plea Bargain Deadline

Introduction – The Jasper Plea Bargaining Deadline Date

Lawyers in the criminal courts of Colorado owe their clients detailed explanations of the often confusing and frightening world that is the criminal justice system. One of the procedures commonly used by Colorado’s judges includes the use of the Jasper date.

Continue reading
Published on:

by

Colorado’s District Attorneys - An Imbalance of Power
By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer

Introduction: Knowing the Players in the Colorado Criminal Justice System

When a person is charged with a crime in the Colorado criminal justice system a thorough understanding of the balance of power among the three key actors that will play a role in their case – the Judge, the District Attorney, and the Defense Lawyer – can be instructive.

Continue reading