You’ve probably seen it dozens of times on television or in the movies: A police officer dramatically pulls out a pair of handcuffs and starts reciting that familiar Miranda Warning that begins, “You have the right to remain silent…” Unfortunately, pop culture has led...
Criminal Defense
Why are you more likely to get a DUI at certain times of the year?
The police could charge someone with driving under the influence (DUI) on any day of the year at any time of day. Yet, they make far more arrests at certain times of year. Why is this? Colorado law enforcement runs campaigns to catch drunk drivers on certain dates....
Why do wrongful charges of shoplifting occur?
Shoplifting costs U.S. retailers billions every year. Reports put their losses for 2021 at $95 billion. So it is understandable that stores want to do all they can to prevent people from walking out of their stores with goods they have not bought. Yet, sometimes, they...
How could police lies turn into a wrongful conviction?
The police are not permitted to lie to a court. If discovered they could face serious disciplinary action. Yet that does not mean they cannot use lies to secure a conviction. Lying to a suspect they are questioning is a common police tactic and it’s one that the law...
Why eyewitness accounts in criminal cases aren’t reliable
If the police charge you with a crime, someone’s memory may have contributed toward their decision. Someone told an officer that they recall seeing you, or someone matching your description doing something that links you to the crime. The problem is that most people’s...
Individuals have protections during stops and questioning
Colorado Traffic Stops typically begin with a police officer requesting the driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance. While motorists must generally comply with this request, they can remain silent and refuse to answer any additional questions. However,...
Honest services fraud can be hard to define and defend
The term "honest services" describes what is commonly called bribery or embezzlement. An extension of mail or wire fraud, it was initially created in 1988 to hold public officials and public servants accountable for their actions. In this case, it could be politicians...
Social media users need to be careful if they are (or likely will be) charged
Social media lets users share big and small details of their lives with friends, families and followers. In turn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other popular platforms also enable users to keep track of people. This is how it works in the modern era. Those charged...
Are you accused of credit card fraud?
Credit and debit cards have become increasingly common and are now the rule more than the exception when paying for goods or services. So, it is no surprise that credit card and debit card fraud are among the most common examples of white-collar crime. It generally...
What if you admit to drinking when stopped?
Police stops are nerve-wracking in the best of times but become more stressful when the officer starts asking questions about the consumption of alcohol. Many drivers were raised to answer questions from an authority figure, so an officer's direct question may get a...