An arrest, criminal summons, or investigation in Westminster can threaten your freedom, driving privileges, employment, reputation, and family relationships. A Westminster case may be handled in municipal court or through the state courts in Adams or Jefferson County. Identifying the correct court is especially important because Westminster extends into both counties.
Westminster criminal defense lawyer Kimberly Diego represents people facing DUI and DWAI charges, domestic violence allegations, assault charges, drug offenses, theft, sex offenses, juvenile cases, and other misdemeanor or felony allegations. She works directly with clients to review the evidence, explain the legal process, and develop a defense based on the circumstances of the individual case.
Focused Colorado Criminal Defense and Direct Attorney Attention
Kimberly Diego earned her law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law, interned with the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office, and was admitted to the Colorado bar in 2008. She established her criminal defense practice in 2009 to provide clients with focused representation and direct access to the attorney handling their cases.
When you hire the Law Office of Kimberly Diego, your defense is not passed through layers of unfamiliar attorneys. Kimberly personally reviews the allegations, discovery, recordings, witness accounts, court orders, and possible consequences. She then explains the available options in straightforward terms so you can make informed decisions about your case.
Criminal Charges Kimberly Diego Defends in Westminster
Kimberly Diego represents Westminster clients in a wide range of misdemeanor, felony, traffic, and juvenile matters, including the practice areas below.
Which Court Handles a Criminal Case in Westminster?
Westminster presents an unusual jurisdictional issue because the city extends into Adams and Jefferson counties. A case may be filed in Westminster Municipal Court, Adams County, or Jefferson County depending on the law allegedly violated and where the incident occurred. The summons, bond paperwork, or hearing notice should identify the assigned court.
Westminster Municipal Court: The Westminster Municipal Court handles alleged violations of the Westminster Municipal Code and Colorado Model Traffic Code involving juveniles and adults.
Adams County courts: State charges arising in the Adams County portion of Westminster may proceed through the Adams County courts. The Adams County Justice Center is in Brighton, and Adams County is part of Colorado’s 17th Judicial District.
Jefferson County courts: State charges arising in the Jefferson County portion of Westminster may proceed through the Jefferson County courts. The Jefferson County Combined Court is in Golden, and Jefferson County is part of Colorado’s 1st Judicial District.
A Westminster police officer may issue a summons into municipal court, Adams County Court, or Jefferson County Court. An attorney can review the charging documents and determine which court controls the case, which prosecutor is involved, and what deadlines apply.
What to Do After an Arrest or Criminal Summons
The period immediately after an arrest or summons can affect the direction of the case and the evidence that remains available. Consider taking the following steps:
Confirm the court and hearing date. Do not rely solely on where the arrest occurred. Check the written documents for the court name, address, case number, and appearance date.
Do not miss court. Failing to appear may result in a warrant, additional consequences, or changes to bond conditions.
Follow every protection order and release condition. Another person cannot give legal permission to disregard a written court order.
Preserve relevant evidence. Save photographs, messages, call logs, receipts, surveillance footage, location records, and witness information.
Avoid discussing the allegations publicly. Social-media posts, text messages, emails, recorded calls, and statements to other people may later become evidence.
Speak with counsel before answering investigative questions. An attempted explanation can be misunderstood, contradicted by other evidence, or used against you.
If police are investigating but charges have not yet been filed, pre-filing representation may allow an attorney to preserve evidence, advise you about interviews, communicate through appropriate channels, and prepare for a possible filing decision.
Developing a Defense Based on the Evidence
No single defense applies to every Westminster criminal case. Kimberly Diego begins by reviewing the elements of the alleged offense, the prosecution’s evidence, the court involved, and the consequences that matter most to the client. Depending on the allegations, that review may address:
Whether police had a lawful basis for a stop, detention, search, or arrest
Whether officers properly obtained statements, physical evidence, or electronic information
Body-camera footage, surveillance recordings, photographs, dispatch records, and witness accounts
The reliability of breath, blood, or laboratory testing
Conflicts among police reports, recordings, physical evidence, and witness statements
Whether the prosecution can prove identity, intent, possession, impairment, injury, or another required element
Evidence supporting self-defense, defense of another person, mistake, or another lawful explanation
Whether statements or evidence should be challenged through pretrial motions
Possible effects on employment, professional licensing, immigration status, firearm possession, and driving privileges
A Colorado DUI or DWAI allegation can create both a criminal case and a separate driver’s-license matter. The defense may involve reviewing the traffic stop, roadside exercises, body-camera footage, breath or blood testing, laboratory procedures, and whether the evidence reliably establishes impairment. Learn more about Colorado DUI and DWAI defense.
Domestic Violence, Assault, and Weapons Cases
Domestic violence allegations can lead to an arrest and immediate restrictions involving contact, a shared residence, or firearm possession. Because domestic violence is generally a designation attached to an underlying offense, the defense must address both the charged crime and the alleged domestic violence basis. Kimberly represents clients facing domestic violence allegations, assault charges, violent-crime allegations, and weapons charges.
Drug, Theft, Sex-Offense, and Juvenile Cases
Representation is also available for drug charges, theft allegations, sex-offense accusations, and juvenile cases. These matters may carry consequences extending beyond the courtroom, making it important to evaluate collateral effects before accepting a plea or other resolution.
Kimberly provides individualized criminal defense representation based on the evidence and circumstances of each case. She communicates directly with clients, explains important developments, and offers candid guidance about negotiations, motions, trial considerations, and the practical consequences of each available option.
Kimberly Diego represents people accused of crimes in Westminster and communities throughout Colorado. Dedicated location pages provide additional information about representation in selected markets:
Visit areas we serve for more information about the firm’s Colorado service area.
Frequently Asked Questions About Westminster Criminal Cases
Which court will handle my Westminster criminal case?
A Westminster case may be filed in Westminster Municipal Court, Adams County, or Jefferson County. The correct court depends on the law allegedly violated, where the incident occurred, and where the charge was filed. Check the summons, bond paperwork, or hearing notice for the assigned court.
Why could a Westminster case be filed in either Adams or Jefferson County?
Westminster extends into both counties. State charges arising in the Adams County portion of the city may proceed through the Adams County courts, while charges arising in the Jefferson County portion may proceed through the Jefferson County courts. Municipal ordinance cases may instead be handled by Westminster Municipal Court.
Is Westminster Municipal Court the same as county court?
No. Westminster Municipal Court handles alleged violations of the Westminster Municipal Code and applicable municipal traffic matters. Adams and Jefferson county courts are part of Colorado’s state court system and handle cases arising under state law.
Can a lawyer help before criminal charges are filed?
Potentially. During a pre-filing investigation, an attorney may preserve evidence, advise you about interviews, communicate with investigators or prosecutors when appropriate, and prepare for a possible filing decision. Early involvement cannot guarantee that charges will be avoided, but it may create additional opportunities to protect your interests.
Speak With a Westminster Criminal Defense Lawyer
A Westminster criminal case should be addressed with a strategy based on the evidence, the correct court system, and the consequences that matter in your life. Contact the Law Office of Kimberly Diego to discuss the allegations and the next steps available in your case.
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