Denver’s Witness Description System Causes Concern for Defense Lawyer

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: May 4, 2012

The Denver Post recently reported that the descriptions of criminal suspects that are provided by witnesses have been routinely overwritten to correspond to descriptions of suspects that have been taken into custody. The story, based on the testimony of a Denver detective, is understandably a cause of concern for more than one Denver defense lawyer and the clients they represent.

Denver defense lawyers are in agreement that the flaws within the system could intentionally be used by police and prosecutors to hide exculpatory evidence which could clear their clients of charges. Denver police insist that evidence has not ever been purposefully withheld or overwritten. That insistence is of little consolation when a Denver defense lawyer believes the system to be inherently flawed.

It was a Denver defense lawyer who discovered the discrepancies in the system during a trial last year when a victim’s description of three suspects was no longer in the report filed by a Denver police detective. The missing evidence resulted in a mistrial.

The Denver Police Department insists that it is a training issue, but the defense lawyer is unconvinced and says that if reports have been falsified in order to obtain convictions, there will be a criminal case against the entire department.

At any rate, the discrepancies illustrate the need for anyone who has been charged with a crime in Denver to make sure to have the very best defense lawyer fighting for justice. A knowledgeable and experienced Denver defense lawyer knows and understands the flaws that can exist within the local criminal judicial system and will protect you and work diligently to defend you.

If you have been accused or charged with a crime in Denver, you need an experienced Denver defense lawyer. That’s where Kimberly Diego comes in. She knows what’s at stake in a Colorado criminal case. She is a talented Denver defense lawyer who can make the difference between a verdict of guilt and not guilty. Contact Kimberly Diego at 720.257.5346 (available 24-7) to schedule a free consultation to review the nature of your case or visit her on the web @ http://www.diegocriminaldefense.com/index.html

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Dog Bite Leads to Need for Criminal Defense Attorney in Denver TV News Anchor Case

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: April 27, 2012

A dog owner faces criminal charges stemming from a televised news interview gone awry. It is unclear whether the owner has retained a Denver criminal defense attorney at this point. However, Reuters reported last month that Michael Robinson was appearing on Denver TV with his Argentine Mastiff, Gladiator Maximus, otherwise known as Max, when the dog bit the anchor in the face after she knelt down to caress and kiss the dog. The dog and his owner were appearing on the morning news show after Max was rescued from a frozen lake the previous day.

The anchor required 70 stiches following the bite and will need more surgery to correct the damage. Robinson faces a $500 fine on the criminal charge because he failed to maintain control of the dog, allowing the dog to cause bodily injury while off of Robinson’s personal property. However, in Robinson’s defense, animal experts have come forward to say that the news anchor may have approached the dog incorrectly, thus unwittingly provoking the attack. The ordinance under which Robinson was charged says that an owner is not liable if the dog is provoked into attack by the victim.

Criminal charges come in all shapes and sizes, including those stemming from an 85-pound Mastiff bite. A good defense attorney, however, has the ability to a build suitable case regardless of the nature of the alleged crime or subsequent charge. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in the Denver area, a Denver criminal defense attorney can get you the best possible outcome for your case.

If you have been accused or charged with a crime in Denver, you need an experienced Denver criminal defense attorney. That’s where Kimberly Diego comes in. She knows what’s at stake in a Colorado criminal case. She is a talented Denver criminal defense attorney who can make the difference between a verdict of guilt and not guilty. Contact Kimberly Diego at 720.257.5346 (available 24-7) to schedule a free consultation to review the nature of your case or visit her on the web @ http://www.diegocriminaldefense.com/index.html

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When Things Get Messy, a Denver Criminal Attorney Can Help

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: April 17, 2012

The assault trial of Jeffrey Campos, former Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO, illustrates why it is necessary to have a good criminal attorney in Denver at your side when facing a criminal trial in this Colorado municipality. According to the Denver Post, Campos’s criminal attorney has argued that Campos is clearly an adulterer who may not have exercised the best judgment, but that does not make him a criminal.

The jury in the Denver courtroom has heard more than three days of testimony in the case that alleges that Campos assaulted Jennifer Reins, a Denver real estate broker, during their heated break-up last year. Campos’s attorney has countered that it was Reins who first assaulted Campos after the two had spent several hours arguing in his car last July. The criminal attorney has argued that Reins was a scorned woman desperate to continue the relationship when she aggressively attacked Campos in the car.

Campos’s attorney was able to get testimony from the father of Reins’s twin daughters admitted into the court in which he claimed that Reins is a scary and violent woman. The father currently has custody of their 14-year-old children.

Regardless of the outcome of the Campos trial, it clearly demonstrates the need for having a high quality Denver criminal attorney at your side whenever facing criminal charges in a Denver court of law. If you have been arrested for a criminal offense, you need the expertise of a qualified criminal attorney at your side. Contact a criminal attorney in Denver who can thoroughly defend you and protect your rights.

Criminal Attorney Denver – If you have been accused or charged with a crime in Denver, you need an experienced criminal attorney in Denver. That’s where Kimberly Diego comes in. She knows what’s at stake in a Denver criminal case. She is a talented Denver criminal attorney who can make the difference between a verdict of guilt and not guilty. Contact Kimberly Diego at 720.257.5346 (available 24-7) to schedule a free consultation to review the nature of your case or visit her on the web @ http://www.diegocriminaldefense.com/index.html

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Colorado Rockies Pitcher Arrested on Suspicion of DUI

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: April 14, 2012

ESPN News reported last week that Alex White, a pitcher with the Colorado Rockies, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. According to reports, the team has indicated that the 23-year-old pitcher understands the mistake he has made and the embarrassment he has brought to the team. It was unclear from the news story whether team lawyers would be representing White in the DUI case or if he will retain his own Colorado DUI lawyers.

The arrest happened while the team was at spring training in Arizona. White, who is hoping for a place in Colorado’s rotation, immediately notified the team’s management. The Rockies acquired White from the Indians last summer for Ubaldo Jimenez.

White exercised good judgment in letting team officials know about the arrest as soon as possible. Anyone who faces DUI charges in Colorado should take similar action by notifying any necessary parties and speaking with Colorado DUI lawyers as soon as possible. The sooner DUI lawyers are contacted, the sooner a defense can be built.

Regardless of the circumstances of the arrest, Colorado DUI lawyers are often successful in having charges dropped without ever going to court. If not, it is often possible to get the charges reduced. At any rate, Colorado DUI lawyers have the experience and the expertise necessary to get the best possible outcome for your Colorado case and will work diligently to protect your rights and defend you aggressively. If you have been charged with DUI in Colorado, contact Colorado DUI lawyers who can help.

If you’re facing a DUI charge in Colorado and are considering representation from experienced Colorado DUI lawyers, contact Kimberly Diego, a highly accomplished Colorado DUI lawyer based in Denver. You can contact Kimberly Diego at 720.257.5346 (available 24-7) to schedule a free consultation to review the nature of your case or visit her website @ http://www.diegocriminaldefense.com/index.html

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132 Criminal Charges against Colorado CEO Point to Need for Defense Lawyer

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: March 31, 2012

ABC News reported this week on the arrest of Kizzy Kalu, a Colorado CEO who faces 132 criminal charges ranging from visa fraud to money laundering to human trafficking. Though it is unclear whether Kalu has yet retained a defense lawyer, hearings regarding whether or not he should be released on bond have been held. He is still currently in custody, according to a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors believe that Kalu may be a flight risk and are concerned that if he is released on bond he will flee the country.

Kalu was arrested last weekend for allegedly drawing foreign nurses to the U.S., promising work that was non-existent and then farming them out to lower paying jobs. In addition, Kalu was supposedly holding on to part of the salaries that these workers earned. He is alleged to have held 35% of their salaries for himself.

Kalu’s accomplice, Philip Langerman, was also indicted, but has not yet been apprehended. Kalu is currently in the custody of U.S. Marshals. If convicted, Kalu could face up to 20 years in prison.

Though most people in Colorado who face criminal charges are not likely to face 132 counts, they are in no less of a need of a Colorado criminal defense lawyer than Kalu. Anyone facing charges of any sort will need to rely on the expertise and experience of a quality criminal defense lawyer to help to build a defense that can hold up in the Colorado court system. When you face criminal charges in Colorado, contact a Colorado criminal defense lawyer right away, who can help to protect your rights and defend your case.

If you have been accused or charged with a crime in Colorado, you need an experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer. That’s where Kimberly Diego comes in. She knows what’s at stake in a Colorado criminal case. She is a talented Colorado criminal defense lawyer who can make the difference between a verdict of guilt and not guilty. Contact Kimberly Diego at 720.257.5346 (available 24-7) to schedule a free consultation to review the nature of your case or visit her un the web @ http://www.diegocriminaldefense.com/index.html

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Drug Crimes Garner Man Three-Year Sentence

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: March 16, 2012

In an example of how having a good defense attorney can make a difference, a man who was found with a large quantity of drugs and money in his home received only three of the six possible years in prison after he pleaded guilty to various drug crimes in a Denver court.

Timothy Faase apologized to the court for enabling those who were addicted to drugs to have easy access to them. His Denver drug crimes attorney highlighted Faase’s charitable work within the community and urged the judge to grant him probation. Although he did not get full probation for the drug crimes, Faase was sentenced to only three years and will serve the remaining three years on probation.

Faase was accused of providing a former sheriff with methamphetamines. Police followed the former sheriff to Faase’s home following a sting operation in which the former sheriff is alleged to have traded the drug for sexual favors from an informant.

Because of the war on drugs, drug crimes gain extra attention in the media and from society, so law enforcement officials and prosecutors are eager to pursue any drug charges aggressively. As a result, anyone who has been charged with drug crimes in the Denver area needs to have an equally aggressive and qualified drug crimes attorney familiar with Denver dynamics. A high-quality defense attorney will work uncompromisingly to get charges dropped or reduced, if possible. If not, an experienced criminal attorney can help to ensure the best possible outcome for a case. If you are facing such charges, contact a drug crimes attorney in Denver to prepare your defense right away.

Drug Crimes Attorney Denver – If you have been accused or charged with a crime in Denver, you need an experienced drug crimes attorney in Denver. That’s where Kimberly Diego comes in. She knows what’s at stake in a Colorado criminal case. She is a talented Denver drug crimes attorney who can make the difference between a verdict of guilt and not guilty. Contact Kimberly Diego at 720.257.5346 (available 24-7) to schedule a free consultation to review the nature of your case or visit her on the web @ http://www.diegocriminaldefense.com/index.html

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Private Defense Attorney or Public Defender?

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: June 21, 2011

You may not qualify for the public defender, but if you do, you may be wondering whether you should keep your public defender or choose to hire a privately retained criminal attorney.

Public defenders are attorneys paid by the state, who do not choose their clients.  Similarly, you don’t get to choose which public defender you get.  In the case of private attorneys, individuals faced with a crime have available to them a wide array of attorneys with varying skill sets and fee structures to choose from.

Public defenders may be excellent lawyers, and many of them are; in fact, many excellent private criminal lawyers were once public defenders.  However, public defenders are incredibly busy and often handle a caseload that is simply unimaginable to a private attorney.  Because a private attorney chooses what cases he or she will take on, he can control his caseload and ensure that each client receives a high level of attention to detail.  If you are looking for an attorney to be available almost instantaneously on a 24/7 basis, a public defender may be too busy to provide you with that level of service.

That being said, not all private defense lawyers are created equal – perhaps an obvious point, but an important one nonetheless.  Use your better judgment; you can glean a lot about the way an attorney will treat you once he has your money from the initial phone consultation and the initial in-office consultation.

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Medical Marijuana Rule Changes

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: June 16, 2011

Today, the Colorado Board of Health approved a series of rule changes impacting the use and also distribution of medical marijuana.  Some have criticized these changes are pro-law enforcement.  Supporters of the changes argue the changes merely “clarify” the language of Amendment 20, while opponents argue that the changes seek to undermine Amendment 20.

Amendment 20, which legalized medical marijuana in Colorado, was passed in 2000.  That amendment defined a primary caregiver as an individual over the age of 18 who “has significant responsibility for managing the well-being of a patient who has a debilitating medical condition.”

The portion of that definition which has been “clarified”  is the word “significant”.  Prior to the changes approved today, that word was interpreted to mean that the caregiver had only to provide the medical marijuana and consult on the benefits of its use.  Following the newly approved changes, to be implemented starting at the end of July, caregivers will need to do a lot more than that – perhaps even providing housekeeping, meal preparation, and transportation services.  No guidance, however, is provided as to how these rules will be enforced.

For more information about the author, visit Denver Criminal and Drug Crimes Defense Attorney Kimberly Diego’s website today.

 

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Driving on Pot Bill Killed in Colorado Senate

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: May 11, 2011

A bill that would have placed a “per se” limit on those driving under the influence of marijuana was killed this week in the Colorado Senate.  The bill would have placed a limit on the amount of THC one could have in their blood while driving, similar to the 0.08 limit constituting DUI Per Se in drunk driving cases.  Pro – medical marijuana lobbyists had vehemently opposed the bill, since frequent marijuana users may not be impaired by a level of THC that could constitute impairment for more infrequent users.  The Attorney General has come out and made a statement expressing his frustration with the bill’s demise.

This is certainly a victory from the criminal defense attorney’s perspective.  As it stands now, for a prosecutor to prove a case of driving under the influence of drugs, he or she must establish substantial impairment; having a firm number to establish, and not needing to show substantial impairment (which is not always very easy), would have made their task a lot easier.

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No Contact Orders May be Expanded

By diegocriminaldefense | Published: April 25, 2011

In Colorado, the law authorizes and in fact requires the issuance of protection orders in all domestic violence cases.  Current law allows not only a no-contact order, but also restrictions as to the possession of firearms, possession of alcohol, and any other restrictions the court deems appropriate to protect the safety of the alleged victim.

However, the law does not currently authorize the issuance of protection orders in non-domestic violence scenarios.  A change is currently being contemplated that would change that, instead allowing judges in all Victim Rights Act cases to impose protection orders.  Some crimes covered by the Victim Rights Act are: murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, vehicular homicide, assault, vehicular assault, menacing, kidnapping, sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact, robbery, incest, child abuse, sexual exploitation of children, crimes against at-risk adults or at-risk juveniles, domestic violence cases, stalking, careless driving that results in the death of another person, failure to stop at the scene of an accident, where the accident results in the death of another person, retaliation against a witness or victim, indecent exposure, violation of a protection order.

The judge would be empowered to impose such a protection order on the district attorney’s motion, or the court’s own motion where the court deemed such action necessary to protect the victim.

This move has been and continues to be opposed by the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, and unsurprisingly, has received support from District Attorneys’ offices.

 

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