The Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyer You Need When Facing Charges In Denver Colorado
“Innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
This is one of the bedrock principles of our free society. It is not up to you to prove that you are indeed innocent — the burden is on the prosecution to prove that you are guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we fight for this principle every day, defending good people against criminal charges that threaten their livelihood, their reputation, their family and their freedom.
We have a proven record of achieving favorable outcomes for our clients, including people facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Denver and throughout Colorado.
Understanding The Criminal Law Process In Colorado
Basic criminal defense law principles are easy enough to understand. You’ve been accused of a crime. Prosecutors will try to prove your guilt. A plea bargain or trial will determine legal consequences. But what about all the other stuff, like Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment constitutional analysis, confessions, Miranda rights, search and seizure, grand jury investigations, arraignments, motions, pretrial investigations, and all the other legal terms that are thrown around in court?
There is no reason for your criminal case and criminal process to be confusing or to carry unpleasant surprises. At the Denver law firm of Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we can explain the criminal law process and answer your questions thoroughly so that you have a full grasp of what is happening and why.
In your free initial consultation, we can describe the likely elements of your criminal defense case. These may involve:
- Pre-arrest/pre-filing investigations: What happens even before you are arrested and charged can be the most important part of your case.
- Illegal search and seizure: Understand your rights.
- Juvenile charges: Our lawyers can protect your child in the juvenile justice system.
- Probation violations: Charges involving the violation of your probation conditions can have lasting implications.
- Municipal crimes and misdemeanors: Although these might not seem as critical as felonies, misdemeanors and municipal crimes carry heavy consequences.
- Federal crimes: The procedures and laws are different in federal courts. Our attorneys have experience defending clients in the federal system.
- Sealing criminal records/sex offender discontinuation: Many clients want to know how to get off of the sex offender registry or seal/expunge their criminal records. We can help.
- Preliminary hearings
- First appearances following an arrest
- The filing of charges
- First arraignment
- Second arraignment
- The advisability of pleading guilty or not guilty
- Disposition dates
- Motions and hearings
- Trial and litigation
- Suppression of evidence
- Jury trials
- Jury selection
- Discovery review (including the interviewing of witnesses and the gathering of police reports)
The average criminal case involves anywhere from two to ten (or even more) court appearances. You can’t just “appear” at hearings and expect a successful outcome. Each step of the criminal defense process requires careful preparation. We have served for years both as criminal defense lawyers and as government lawyers. Let us share our in-depth knowledge with you.
There Is Never A Bad Time To Contact A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney
A skilled criminal defense attorney from our firm can help you at any point in the legal process. The earlier the better, but you should seek the help of a lawyer anytime you:
- Are accused of committing a crime
- Have reason to believe you are under investigation
- Arrested
- Charged with a crime
Whether you are being charged with drunk driving, a traffic violation, a violent crime or criminal offense, now is not the time to sit back and let the legal process play out; now is the time to mount an aggressive defense.
We Handle All Types Of Criminal Defense Cases In Denver Colorado
There is no such thing as a non-serious criminal offense. Our criminal defense lawyers can help regardless of the charges you may be facing. In fact, we have the experience to handle a wide range of criminal charges in Colorado, including those related to:
- Driving under the influence (DUI/DWAI) and other related charges, including driving while ability impaired and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID)
- Traffic offenses such as careless driving, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license, among others
- Theft and other financial crimes, including shoplifting, burglary and white collar crimes such as embezzlement, fraud and internet crimes
- Sex offenses, including sexual assault and questions about sex offender registration
- Other violent crimes such as homicide, assault and battery, weapons charges and robbery
- Drug offenses, including drug possession, distribution and manufacturing
- Domestic abuse/violence charges and related issues such as restraining orders
What a Lawyer Can Do Against a Contempt of Court Charge
Judges have wide latitude when charging someone in their court with contempt. If you have been charged with contempt of court, it is likely that something you said or something you did or did not do angered the judge. Bluntly, the judge does not want to listen to you explain yourself any further.
On the other hand, our criminal defense attorneys regularly appear before judges across the region. We can present your situation to the judge in the best possible light and explain any potential reasons for your actions. Our goal in contempt cases is to prevent the situation from escalating any further.
Can criminal records be expunged in Colorado?
The process of clearing a criminal record differs from state to state. Terms related to clearing a record also vary. In Colorado, only juveniles can have a criminal record expunged, according to the Colorado Legislative Council. Adults can have records sealed.
There are exceptions for who qualifies to have records sealed. Vehicle related cases and sexual related cases cannot be sealed nor can cases that still have unpaid fines and court costs or other money is still owed on them. Having a record sealed can be done by anyone who has an arrest record even without actual charges having been filed, had a case against them dismissed or in some circumstances by people who have been convicted of a crime.
It is important to note that sealing a record does not mean it goes completely away. That would be what happens in expungement, which is only open to minors. Sealing a record still makes it accessible to law enforcement, courts and any agency that is required by law to conduct a criminal background check.
In most cases, a person must wait until ten years after he or she has completed the court sanctioned requirements, such as probation or jail time, or after the case has been dismissed before being eligible to have his or her record sealed. In addition, the person must have a clean criminal record since then. The ten-year waiting period may not apply to some drug charges.
Steps to take
A person who wants to seal his or her criminal record must first file a petition with the court, along with any required fees, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch. This must be done in the county in which the criminal conviction, arrest or situation occurred in. The filing and court process may differ for those who have an actual conviction on their record.
Trying to clear a criminal record of any type can be difficult. The law is very specific, making the process somewhat confusing at times. If you need assistance, you might want to contact Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C.
Representation When You Are Facing a Grand Jury
If you have been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury, or if you have received a “target letter” from the government, understand that you have legal rights. In order to protect these rights, you need to enlist the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. If you are appearing before a grand jury, it is either because the government believes you are a witness to criminal activities or because the government is trying to gather evidence to prosecute you.
At this stage, there may be much that you can do to avoid the filing of criminal charges against you. Contact Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., to discuss your situation today.
Facing Criminal Charges? Get Your Free Consultation Today.
We realize that good people make mistakes, and that innocent people can find themselves in bad situations. You can turn to us for accessible, accountable and judgment-free representation. Contact us anytime for a free initial consultation. You can reach us online or by phone at 720-407-2582. Don’t let the police make an example out of you.
Same-Day Appointments | Immediate Jail Visits | Available 24/7