When Denver Police Use Confidential Informants: How the Defense Challenges Reliability
September 12, 2026
In the realm of criminal defense cases, particularly those involving DUI charges, the reliability of breathalyzer tests often comes under scrutiny. In Colorado, as in many other jurisdictions, these tests play a significant role in determining whether an individual is driving under the influence.
However, there are various common pitfalls associated with breathalyzer results that can lead to inaccuracies and potentially unfair legal outcomes. Understanding these pitfalls is crucial for individuals facing DUI charges and their defense attorneys.
Calibration and[...]Driving under the influence (DWI) offenses are serious legal matters that can have lasting consequences for individuals in Denver. However, the legal system recognizes the potential for rehabilitation and offers alternative sentencing options beyond the traditional punitive measures.
In this blog post, we will explore alternative sentencing options for DWI offenders in Denver, shedding light on rehabilitation programs, community service, and ignition interlock devices.
Rehabilitation ProgramsOne of the key alternatives to traditional sentencing for DWI offenders is participation in [...]
The new year gives people time to start fresh and focus on goals for the next 12 months. However, charges from the last few moments of the previous year can follow you into the new – especially charges for a DUI over the New Year’s holiday.
The state of Colorado is directing its focus toward the enforcement of DUIs. Holiday gatherings and New Year’s Eve celebrations are when people tend to overindulge in alcohol and get behind the wheel of [...]
Colorado is a very popular state to visit, so it’s common for people to drive on Colorado roads with an out-of-state license. But what happens when you commit a crime with that out-of-state license – like a DUI?
Colorado state laws apply to everyone, not just those who reside there. That’s why if you get a DUI in Colorado while visiting, it’s essential to understand what is in store for you. Here is what you need to know.
DUI for[...]Being pulled over under the suspicion of a DUI is never fun, but the chances of that happening increase during certain times of the year in Colorado – including Labor Day.
Law enforcement made a commitment in Colorado this year to crack down on impaired driving. They publicly stated that law enforcement agencies would crack down on impaired driving between August 17 and September 8.
If you got caught up in the DUI crackdown, you may have questions. Here are [...]
A confidential informant almost never speaks to the judge who signs the warrant. Instead, the judge reads a detective’s sworn summary of what an unnamed person allegedly said. That gap can become one of the most important issues in a Denver drug, weapons, theft, or other criminal case.
The defense does not cross-examine the informant when the warrant is issued. At that stage, the focus is on the affidavit itself: what the informant allegedly knew, how police verified the information, [...]
Colorado fentanyl possession charges can become serious felonies at relatively low weight thresholds. The law focuses on the weight of the material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing fentanyl rather than only the amount of pure fentanyl inside it. That means a small-looking quantity of powder or counterfeit pills can result in a much more serious charge once the substance is tested and weighed.
Weight is only part of the case. What the accused person knew, whether the state can prove [...]
Colorado COCCA charges are racketeering charges used when prosecutors claim a person participated in an enterprise through a pattern of criminal activity. These cases often grow out of drug, theft, burglary, fraud, identity theft, or financial investigations that are later reframed as organized conduct.
A COCCA count is not automatic just because several people were charged together or because prosecutors believe more than one crime occurred. The state must prove specific structural elements, including an enterprise and a pattern of [...]