When Denver Police Use Confidential Informants: How the Defense Challenges Reliability
September 12, 2026
The pattern of sexual abuse charges in Colorado are more common than you may think – and they’re very grave for those who are accused, carrying with them a lifetime of consequences both legal and collateral.
However, a pattern of sexual abuse crime is not one that is well understood by many, including those accused of the crime or even victims themselves.
It’s vital to understand what these types of charges are and what they can result in – if [...]
The requirement to register as a sex offender is one of the penalties for being found guilty of certain crimes. You may not think it’s a big deal, but registration as a sex offender is taken very seriously by the state – so seriously that failing to do so can land you in serious trouble.
Here’s what you need to know about sex offender registration in Colorado and what can happen if you fail to register as required by the [...]
Colorado has a host of laws surrounding obscenity, one of which is a crime referred to as “promoting obscenity in a minor.” This sex crime often flies under the radar, but it’s a serious crime if you’re charged and eventually convicted of it.
What types of actions constitute promoting obscenity in a minor, and what are the consequences in Colorado? There’s a lot to know and understand about this specific crime, so read on to find out more.
What Does[...]Colorado creates consequences for those who break the laws in the state. While they may not excuse crimes, they do understand that there are often reasons behind why people commit criminal acts.
Many studies have shown that there is a connection between committing certain crimes and the use of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, many people with a drug or alcohol abuse disorder tend to commit certain crimes. You could say that there are definitely some crimes that are caused by [...]
Being charged with a sex crime is a scary proposition. After all, it can have a lasting impact on your life if you are labeled as a sex offender. But there is actually a state label that can be far more damaging than that: “Sexually violent predator.”
It’s important to understand what a sexually violent predator is under Colorado state law and what it can mean for your future if you find your name attached to it.
Here is what [...]
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 [...]