How Plea Bargaining Works in Denver Criminal Court Cases
July 29, 2026
In the United States, the laws governing the crime of driving under the influence – also called a DUI – are typically very harsh. Colorado is no exception to this, as even first-time DUI offenders can face time in jail, fines, and the loss of their driver’s license.
As serious as a DUI is, not many understand the true implications of the crime and the impact it can have on your life. There are many reasons to avoid a DUI [...]
No one wants to get pulled over by the police when driving, but several things can turn a routine traffic stop into a serious incident – including driving while intoxicated.
However, if the police observe you driving under the influence in Colorado and you have a firearm in the car, things can get much more complicated.
If you’re a firearm owner, it’s vital to understand what the law says about keeping a firearm in your vehicle. There are possible consequences [...]
DUI charges occur when someone operating a motor vehicle is accused of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Colorado law expands the definition of what it means to be accused of a DUI. As it turns out, you don’t even have to be driving a car to garner an accusation.
Yes, that’s right – you could be using a different means of conveyance and still get slapped with a DUI charge in Colorado. That’s why it’s vital [...]
While the state of Colorado has relaxed some of its laws against the use of substances like marijuana, it’s still a very serious offense to be accused of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state.
Many people assume they know what happens when a person is arrested for a DUI. However, the cold truth of the matter is that most are surprised by what follows an arrest. The chain of events that happen [...]
When you are pulled over for a DUI, you may expect to get a breath test by the police. This will test your blood alcohol content and demonstrate if you are above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. But what many people don’t know is that you can also opt to have a blood test done to determine your blood alcohol content.
Which is better: blood or a breath test? The truth is, there is no wrong or right answer [...]
Most criminal cases in Denver do not end with a jury verdict. They end with a decision: whether to accept a plea agreement, reject the offer, keep negotiating, or prepare for trial. That decision can shape your record, your freedom, your sentence, your probation terms, and your future long after the court date.
A plea bargain is not just “taking a deal.” It is a legal agreement that may involve reduced charges, dismissed counts, sentencing limits, probation terms, restitution, treatment [...]
A police crash report can make a serious collision look settled before the defense has examined the evidence. It may assign fault, estimate speed, describe the point of impact, and frame the driver’s conduct as reckless or impaired. In a Denver vehicular assault case, those early conclusions can influence charging decisions, plea negotiations, and how prosecutors present the case.
The problem is that a police report is not proof. Officers often prepare crash reports based on witness statements, final vehicle [...]
Assault charges in Colorado can range from a misdemeanor accusation after a physical confrontation to a serious felony carrying years in prison. The difference usually depends on the alleged intent, the level of injury, whether a weapon was involved, and whether the alleged victim falls into a protected category under Colorado law.
That distinction matters immediately. A misdemeanor assault case may still carry jail time, fines, a permanent criminal record, and collateral consequences for employment, housing, licensing, and your reputation. [...]