Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on June 22, 2026
Being charged with a crime in Denver puts your freedom, your job, your family, and your reputation at risk. Colorado prosecutors move quickly, and the decisions you make in the first 24 hours can shape your case for years. “Innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” is not a slogan; it is the bedrock principle of our justice system, and the burden of proof always rests with the prosecution.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we fight for that principle every day. Shazam Kianpour brings more than 22 years of Colorado criminal defense experience and a dual prosecution and defense background to every case. With over 10,000 criminal cases handled across the Denver area and a proven record of favorable outcomes for clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges, our team has the courtroom experience and local knowledge to protect what matters most.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — The First 24 Hours Shape Your Case
Arrested or charged in Denver? Anything you say to police or post on social media can be used against you. Talk to a defense lawyer before you talk to anyone else.
22+ years of criminal defense experience. Dual prosecution and defense background. 10,000+ criminal cases handled. Same-day appointments and 24/7 availability.
Criminal defense law sounds simple on paper. You are accused of a crime, prosecutors try to prove guilt, and a plea bargain or trial determines the outcome. The reality is far more complex, involving Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment analysis, Miranda rights, search and seizure law, grand jury procedures, arraignments, pretrial motions, and many other technical elements that can change the trajectory of a case.
In Denver, criminal cases are heard at Denver County Court (misdemeanors and traffic matters) or Denver District Court at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse on Colfax Avenue (felonies and more serious charges). Arrests in surrounding jurisdictions — Adams County, Arapahoe County, Jefferson County, and Douglas County — move through those counties’ own courthouses, each with their own prosecutors, judges, and procedural norms. Knowing the local players matters. We have appeared before judges across the Front Range for over 22 years.
Your case does not have to be confusing or full of unpleasant surprises. We walk you through the process step by step, answer every question, and prepare you for what to expect at each hearing. In your free initial consultation, we can outline the likely elements of your defense, which may include:
The average criminal case involves anywhere from two to ten (or even more) court appearances — at venues like Denver County Court, the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, or the respective courthouse in Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, or Douglas County. 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.
A Denver 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:
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.
There is no such thing as a non-serious criminal offense. Our Denver 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:
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 Denver 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.
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.
A person who wants to seal a criminal record must first file a petition with the court, along with any required fees, according to the Colorado Judicial Branch instructions on sealing criminal conviction records. The filing happens in the county where the conviction, arrest, or original case took place, and the process can vary depending on whether the record reflects a conviction or an arrest with no conviction.
Clearing a record is rarely straightforward. Colorado statutes specify which offenses qualify, what waiting periods apply, and which agencies must be served with the order. If you need help, we can review your record, identify which charges may be eligible, and prepare the motion and supporting documents for your case.
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.
With more than 10,000 criminal defense cases handled in the Denver area and over 22 years of trial experience, our firm has built a reputation as one of the leading criminal defense practices in the region. Shazam Kianpour previously served as a government public defender, which means we know the local prosecutors and detectives, how they build their cases, and where their cases can be challenged or dismissed.
Your attorney should have working relationships across the courthouse and the credibility to negotiate effectively with prosecutors and judges. Those relationships often shape whether a case goes to trial or resolves on terms that protect you. We have those relationships, and we use them aggressively on behalf of our clients.
You are not a docket number to us. You will work directly with your attorney from the first call through resolution, you will not be passed to an associate, and you will get straight answers when you have questions. That is how every client deserves to be treated.
Arrests and jail bookings spike on nights and weekends. You need a firm available now, not the next business day. Our attorneys can speak with you 24/7. We proudly represent clients facing criminal charges in Aurora, Denver, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and communities throughout Colorado.
Below are answers to the questions clients most often ask before hiring a Denver criminal defense attorney.
Stay calm and exercise your rights. You have the right to remain silent, and you should use that right until you have legal representation. Do not discuss your case with anyone except your attorney. Beyond confirming your identity, you can and should refuse to answer questions from law enforcement without a lawyer present. Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so they can review the charges, advise you on next steps, and begin building your defense strategy.
A criminal case in Colorado usually begins with an arrest or a summons to appear in court, followed by an initial appearance where you are informed of the charges and your rights. The next stage is often a preliminary hearing, where the court determines whether enough evidence exists to proceed. If the case moves to trial, both sides present evidence and arguments, and your attorney advocates for the best available outcome. Most cases resolve through plea agreements rather than trial, but the right path depends entirely on the facts of your case.
Timelines vary widely. Some cases resolve in a matter of weeks if a plea agreement is reached early, while others take many months or longer if the case proceeds to trial. The charges involved, the complexity of the evidence, and the court’s calendar all play a role. Your attorney can give you a more accurate estimate after reviewing the specifics of your case.
Not necessarily. The majority of criminal cases in Colorado resolve through plea negotiations, dismissals, or alternative sentencing programs rather than a jury trial. Whether trial is the right strategy depends on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, the charges involved, and your goals. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which gives us leverage in negotiations and readiness if a courtroom fight becomes necessary.
Under Colorado Revised Statute 16-5-401, the deadline to file criminal charges depends on the classification of the offense. Misdemeanors generally must be filed within 18 months of the alleged offense, while felonies have a three-year filing window. Certain serious offenses carry longer deadlines, including five years for vehicular homicide combined with leaving the scene and 20 years for most felony sex offenses. The most serious felonies (Class 1 felonies such as murder and kidnapping) have no statute of limitations and can be charged at any time. If you leave Colorado after the alleged offense, the clock pauses for up to five years.
Criminal defense fees vary based on the charges, the complexity of the case, and whether the case goes to trial. Misdemeanor representation typically runs from a few thousand dollars for a plea-based resolution to higher amounts for cases that go to trial. Felony defense, particularly in cases involving expert witnesses, lengthy investigations, or multi-count indictments, can run substantially higher. At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options and our fee structure before you commit to representation.
Good people make mistakes, and innocent people sometimes find themselves in bad situations. Whatever brought you to this page, you deserve accessible, accountable, and judgment-free representation from an attorney who treats your case with the urgency it deserves. With more than 22 years of Denver-area criminal defense experience, a dual prosecution and defense background, and over 10,000 criminal cases handled, our team has the courtroom skill and local knowledge to fight for the outcome you need.
Same-day appointments, immediate jail visits, and 24/7 availability are part of how we work. Whether you are facing a DUI, a domestic violence allegation, a drug charge, a traffic offense, or any other criminal matter in Colorado, we are ready to help. Reach out through our contact form to schedule your free initial consultation, and we will move fast to protect what matters most.
