Criminal Process

What happens after an arrest in Colorado?

The criminal process is essentially a road which can take you in one of two opposite directions. You can either end up being fined, imprisoned and given a criminal record which may follow you for the rest of your life, or you may escape a conviction and be able to walk away from this situation with little or no damage to your reputation and your career.

The direction that you take depends on what you do right here and now, in the immediate aftermath of your arrest. It is important to understand what you're facing and to know what you can do to defend yourself against the life-changing consequences you face.

Advisement and Bond Hearing

The first time that a criminal suspect will be taken into court after an arrest is the advisement. This normally occurs within a day or so after the arrest. The judge reads the charges against the suspect, and asks how the defendant chooses to plea (i.e. guilty or not guilty). The advisement will also normally include the bond hearing, during which the judge sets the amount for bail. In cases involving serious felony offenses this can range into the tens of thousands of dollars, but for less serious misdemeanors the defendant may be released on "own recognizance," also referred to as "OR." An OR release does not require a posting of bail, only an agreement to appear in court for the next hearing.

Preliminary Hearing

The next time you will appear in court is at the preliminary hearing, during which the District Attorney is has the task of presenting sufficient evidence that there is probable cause to believe that you are guilty of the charges. Your defense attorney can prepare for this hearing by reviewing the arrest report and any other available, evidence, but the preliminary hearing is where more of the evidence will be revealed.

One option at this stage of the case is to negotiate a plea bargain, such as reducing the charge to a less serious crime or avoiding time in jail or prison in exchange for a guilty plea. The prosecutor has limited time and resources, and will often be willing to offer leniency if it means being able to close the case quickly. If, however, the D.A. will not agree to a fair deal, we will not hesitate to carry the case forward to a trial.

Trial

If your case goes to a trial, it will be heard by a jury of 6 or 12 members, and it will be necessary to engage in exhaustive preparation to ensure the best possible chances of success. Both sides will have the opportunity to introduce physical evidence and witnesses, as well as to cross-examine the evidence of the other side. There are many proven strategies to use to challenge different types of cases, whether you are charged with DUI, a sex crime, and assault.

Your case may or may not require a trial, and it may be possible to resolve the situation as early as the preliminary hearing. The key to success is to hire a Colorado Springs criminal defense attorney as early as possible. Having proven legal representation by your side can make an enormous difference at every stage of the case, beginning at the advisement or even before the arrest, if at all possible.