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    How You Can Help Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Your Case

    By H. Michael Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – Email at [email protected]

    How You Can Help Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Your Case – I am often asked what my client’s can do to assist me in defending them with the defense of their criminal case. Over 40 years of experience practicing criminal law in the state of Colorado has led me to a point where I know how a client can best help in the defense of their case.

    How You Can Help Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Your Case

    Understanding criminal defense law is only one part of the equation – another is obtaining information from the client that I can use – not only to defend a case – but to repackage my client’s acts and to perhaps “reinvent” my clients in the eyes of the DA and the Judge.

    I act as a guide through a very complicated legal process with the ultimate goal of achieving the best possible outcome for your case. To do that – I need your help.

    Here is your assignment.

    Five Assignments To Assist In The Defense Of A Colorado Criminal Case

    I. Obtain Character Letters – (Follow this link to a separate article on this task)

    II. Prepare An Exhaustive List Of Witnesses (with addresses and phone numbers) Who May Be Helpful To The Case And Who Have Information About The Case – Statements

    III. Prepare An Exhaustive and Detailed Time Line Of the Case Facts

    IV. Prepare An Exhaustive Autobiographical Statement About Yourself – A “Social History” Of Your Life – Accomplishments and Accolades

    V. Prepare A Statement Of The Impact Of A Conviction On Your Life

    I. Obtain Character Letters – (Follow this link to a separate article on this task)

    Character letters are of two types – those that address only the person’s character and those that address the person’s character and incorporate the crimes they committed.

    The most persuasive way to inform another person such as the DA or the Court of exactly who you are and why you deserve compassion, understanding and the utmost consideration in the evaluation of your case –  is the character letter.

    When I ask clients for character letters – I ask for as many of these letters as they can generate and still maintain the quality of the effort. These letters should be sought by the client as as early as possible in the case and should number at least 3 and as many as 20 letters.

    Character letters are written by the people in our lives who know us best. Not only do they provide information about our lives – they do so in a way that is positive in nature. For example – if the allegation charged is fraud – they can “testify” in their letter – that you are an honest and trustworthy person.

    If possible – the letters should be signed in blue ink and should contain the writer’s name, address, and phone number – (in case the District Attorney should want to follow up and actually call the character letter writer).

    The writer of a character letter adds credibility to their letter by:

    1. Detailing what they do for a living.

    2. Explaining their connection to the Defendant and the context of that connection.

    3. The length of time they have known the Defendant and how well they know the Defendant.

    4. Writing about the crimes committed if they shed any positive or explanatory light or otherwise mitigate the crimes.

    II. Prepare An Exhaustive List Of Witnesses (with addresses and phone numbers) Who May Be Helpful To The Case And Who Have Information About The Case – Statements

    Witnesses take many forms in any criminal case. Whether a case goes to trial – is dismissed – or ends in a plea bargain – can turn on the damage or help that is provided by key witnesses. The location and identification of witnesses is therefore critical to understanding a client’s options.

    “Percipient” or perceiving witnesses are those who are present at the time of the alleged crime. These witnesses should write a signed statement about what they saw, heard, or felt in as much detail as they can muster. This statement should be written to preserve their testimony and should be written as close to the time of the alleged crime is possible.

    “Outcry” or hearsay witnesses are those who may have spoken to the accused or the alleged victim or victims about the criminal accusations.

    Reputation and “community” witnesses may not be eye or ear witnesses but their assistance may result in gaining information that could lead to helpful evidence that may be admissible at trial.

    An experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer knows that the name, address, phone number and relationship of the witness to the client is the minimum information necessary. A brief statement about what the witness may know about the case helps to flush out what type of witness this person may be.

    III. Prepare An Exhaustive and Detailed Time Line Of the Case Facts

    The single most important writing by the Defendant is the statement of the case from the accused’s perspective. Time is the enemy of a person’s memory for detail. While facts may be added to a statement of the case as they are recalled over time – the core story which memorializes the basic facts of the case should be reduced to writing as soon after the events as possible.

    Writing down the facts of a case will assist the client months later if the case goes to trial to recall – with as much detail as possible – the critical “defense” version of events. Of course – the statement must be not only detailed – it must be honest and complete. Since it is used exclusively for he defense of the case it is always confidential and completely protected by the attorney- client privilege.

    The “discovery” in the case – that is – the characterization of the evidence written by the police officers investigating the case on the night of or the next day following the offense, is always ONE SIDED. Because they are one sided and are written so close to the time and date of the crime – they have the great advantage – (usually pointed out by the DA) – as having more credibility than statements constructed days, weeks or even years after the crime allegedly took place.

    To combat these claims – a Defendant must have the capacity to meet fire with fire and match that claim of primacy and therefore reduce their statements to writing as soon after the incident as possible.

    The Defendant’s statement of the case must be as detailed as humanly possible. It should always be in the form of a TIME LINE – that is – in chronological order. Dates, times, sequences, locations, witnesses, words used, clothing worn, emotions, statements (in the words of the people present with quotes if possible) – are all part of the statement of facts.  Every detail is important. Always let your lawyer decide if a fact is  important or unimportant. Do not try to make that decision for your lawyer.

    The Defendant’s statement of facts must be an exhaustive review of every relevant or even irrelevant piece of information in the mix. Nothing should be left out. Nothing.

    IV. Prepare An Exhaustive Autobiographical Statement About Yourself – A “Social History” Of Your Life – Accomplishments and Accolades

    No one can tell your life story better than you. Therefore – in addition to character letters – YOU should write your autobiographical statement.

    What is your life story – what makes you the person you are? How would you like your lawyer to explain who you are to the DA, to the Judge and – or to a Jury. Do you attend church, volunteer at your child’s school, coach a little league team, care for your sick parents or grandparents, volunteer at the boys and girls club, a soup kitchen in downtown Denver?

    How did you do in school? Were you an athlete? Did you go to college? Grad School? What were your accomplishments in life? Do you support your family with full time work..your children your spouse?

    Your lawyer needs to know every single “positive” thing about you whether is large or small. Anything and everything can be important to alter the mistaken impression the DA – Prosecuting lawyer has that you are a criminal.

    Some examples:

    1. Where were you born and raised?

    2. Where did you go to school?

    3. What have you done and what do you do for a living?

    4. What is your family like?

    5. What are your religious affiliations if any?

    6. What charitable organizations do you belong to?

    7. Do you have any prior or current medical conditions or mental illness that your lawyer should know about?

    V. Prepare A Statement Of The Impact Of A Conviction On Your Life

    Here you tell your lawyer about how the case has impacted your life and the lives of those you love and who love you as well as the predicted impact of the case on your future. Will you lose your job, you home, your future opportunities and why and how will this happen? The need to avoid a permanent criminal history changes with the individual.

    Your Colorado criminal defense lawyer needs to understand ALL of the impacts of the case on your life which includes the effect of a conviction on your life. This statement includes the impact of the incident itself, the arrest, any jail served, your emotional and physical life and all similar issues.

    By writing this final statement you may personally learn the actual stake you have in the outcome of the case as that stake is illuminated by your own words.

    How You Can Help Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Your Case

    If you found any information I have provided on this web page article helpful please click my Plus+1 button below so that others may also find it.

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author at [email protected] – A Denver Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-2277.

    If you are charged with A Colorado crime or you have questions about the topic of this article – How You Can Help Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Your Case, please call our office. The Law Offices of H. Michael Steinberg, in Denver, Colorado, provide criminal defense clients with effective, efficient, intelligent and strong legal advocacy. We can educate you and help you navigate the stressful and complex legal process related to your criminal defense issue.

    Over 40 Years Specializing in Colorado Criminal LawH. Michael Steinberg, is a Denver, Colorado criminal defense lawyer with over 40 years of day to day courtroom experience – specializing in Colorado Criminal Law along the Front Range. He will provide you with a free initial case consultation to evaluate your legal issues and to answer your questions with an honest assessment of your options. Remember, it costs NOTHING to discuss your case. Call now for an immediate free phone consultation.

    Helping Clients To Make Informed Decisions In the Defense of Colorado Criminal Cases.

    Contact A Lawyer with Three Decades of Experience as a Denver Criminal Attorney at The Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm today.

    Colorado Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg regularly appears and provides solid criminal defense for clients throughout the Front Range of Colorado – including the courts of:

    Adams County (Adams County criminal defense lawyer), Arapahoe County (Arapahoe County criminal defense lawyer), City and County of Boulder (Boulder County criminal defense lawyer), City and County of Broomfield (Broomfield County criminal defense lawyer), City and County of Denver (Denver criminal defense lawyer), Douglas County (Douglas County criminal defense lawyer), El Paso County – Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer), Gilpin County (Gilpin County criminal defense lawyer), Jefferson County (Jefferson County criminal defense lawyer), Larimer County, and Weld County ( Larimer and Weld County criminal defense lawyer,….

    and all the other cities and counties of Colorado along the I-25 Corridor… on cases involving the subject of this article – How You Can Help Your Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer Defend Your Case.


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    If you found the information provided on this webpage to be helpful, please click my Plus+1 button so that others may also find it.

    ___________________________
    H. Michael Steinberg Esq.
    Attorney and Counselor at Law
    The Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm of H. Michael Steinberg
    A Denver, Colorado Lawyer Focused Exclusively On
    Colorado Criminal Law For Over 40 Years.
    The Edward Building
    8400 East Prentice Ave, Penthouse 1500
    Greenwood Village, Colorado, 80111
    E-Mail:  [email protected]
    Primary Web Site:  http://www.HMichaelSteinberg.com
    Colorado Criminal Law Blog:  www.Colorado-Criminal-Lawyer-Online.com
    Main:  303.627.7777
    Cell:  720.220.2277
    24/7 Pager:  303.543.4433
    FAX (Toll Free):  1.877.533.6276
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