Iyer Law Office LLC, Denver, Colorado
Criminal Defense Attorney, Denver: Iyer Law Office has extensive experience in all Colorado and federal criminal matters, and provides criminal defense attorney services to clients throughout the Denver metropolitan area. No case is too big or too small. If you have been arrested or are under investigation for any of the criminal offenses listed below, call us immediately.
Unlike some other criminal defense attorneys, Iyer Law Office will assist you throughout all stages of your criminal case, including bail bonds, bail reduction, and the pre-arrest process.
I will always ask the court to either release you on a Personal Recognizance Bond (you are out of jail on your signature) or to reduce any bond to an affordable and reasonable amount.
My first priority, always, is to protect your freedom, and your rights. We will consult with you individually to customize the cost of your defense so that it works for you. We use a tiered fee system, which allows you to pay a flat fee for the tier of service that you use, and in most situations, barring any exceptional circumstances, you will have a complete understanding of the expected legal fees at the time you hire us as your Denver criminal defense attorney.
It Only Takes a Moment to Ruin Your Life | Criminal Defense Attorney in Denver, CO
Life is a series of moments, stretched out over time. You’re born, you go to school, make friends and relationships, take a job or go to college, maybe you travel, maybe you get married and have a family, and through all of it there are many moments, hopefully most of them good. But while it may take twenty years to build the business or career you want, it only takes a moment to ruin your life. Now we understand this sounds harsh, and the intent here is not to incite fear or anxiety, but rather to express the reality that a criminal conviction and the subsequent punishment, record, and damage to your relationships, reputation, and finances can be truly devastating. The best way to avoid all of that is to, obviously, not be charged with a crime in the first place, but that’s not always possible, especially when you’ve been falsely accused. But if you are charged, you need to contact a Denver criminal defense attorney right away.
There are so many possible events, actions, and circumstances that could put you in a bad situation facing criminal charges and potential prosecution. While most of us are law-abiding citizens, and good people, even good people make mistakes sometimes, mistakes they often regret immediately thereafter, but the law is the law. And the law is not forgiving. Chances are you know someone who has been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. It’s more common than you might imagine. You may have even been charged or convicted yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the common misdemeanor crimes that occur throughout the state of Colorado, that criminal defense attorneys in Denver see often.
- Disorderly conduct
- Criminal mischief or vandalism
- Failure to appear in court
- Shoplifting
- Drug possession
- Petty theft
- Hit and run
- Possession of marijuana
- 3rd-degree assault (simple assault)
- Harassment
- Unlawful possession of weapons
- Driving with suspended license
- Certain kinds of fraud
After considering the list above, it’s easy to see how a simple mistake could lead to a charge and possibly a conviction. Misdemeanors in Colorado are designated as class 1, 2, or 3, or unclassified, and Colorado treats traffic and drug misdemeanors differently from other crimes that are classified as misdemeanors. In the state of Colorado, a misdemeanor is punishable by a term of 18 months or less in a county or local jail. Felonies are punishable by state prison terms of one year or more, as they are more serious crimes.
Did you have a court date scheduled for an issue that you knew you had all buttoned up, but didn’t appear on the scheduled date? You could be charged with a misdemeanor crime as a result of your failure to appear. Did you get a little rowdy at a bar while celebrating your promotion at work? Maybe you had one too many? It happens. But that action could land you a disorderly conduct charge. Did you inherit your grandfather’s knife and gun collection? There might be something in there that could be illegal, maybe an old Soviet-made ballistic knife or some type of firearm, and unlawful possession of weapons is a misdemeanor crime. Maybe you put something into your reusable bag at the store, fully meaning to pay for it, but you get an important call and walk out of the store to take the call, then drive away. If you’re on camera, that’s shoplifting, regardless of your forgetfulness and lack of malicious intent. While you might be able to explain it away to the police or a judge, or even the store owner before it becomes a police or judge issue, what happens if you can’t? What happens if they won’t listen to your side of the story? In that case, you’ll need a Denver criminal defense attorney, because you’re going to be facing a Petty Theft or Shoplifting charge, and that’s a misdemeanor crime.
The possibilities are endless. And in many situations, it is possible that regular folks, law-abiding citizens, find themselves charged with misdemeanor crimes, and sometimes felonies as well, though not as often. In Colorado, felony crimes are ranked in classes, from Class 6, the most minor felonies, to Class 1, the most serious.
Some Common Felony Crimes in Colorado
Class 6 Felony
Penalty Structure:
12-18 months in prison and/or a fine that could range from $1,000 up to $100,000
Examples of Class 6 Felonies
Practicing a profession without a proper license
Failure to register as a sex offender
Promoting a pyramid scheme
Falsely impersonating a peace officer
Possession of weapons by anyone previously convicted of a felony
Possession of four grams or less of any Schedule I or II drug
Possession of two or more grams of methamphetamines
Possession of over 12 ounces of marijuana/three ounces of marijuana concentrate
Animal cruelty
Class 5 Felony
Penalty Structure:
12-36 months in prison and/or a fine that could range from $1,000 up to $100,000
Examples of Class 5 Felonies
Theft of property
Refusal to pay spousal/child support
Forgery
False imprisonment
Failure to register as a sex offender (second offense)
Sale of less than 5 pounds of marijuana
Embezzlement of public property
Animal cruelty (second offense)
Class 4 Felony
Penalty Structure:
2-6 years in prison and/or a fine that could range from $2,000 up to $500,000
Examples of Class 4 Felonies
Vehicular homicide
Sexual assault
Unlawful purchase of firearm
Manslaughter
Internet luring/sexual exploitation of a child
Identity theft
Assault in the second degree
Perjury in the first degree
Class 3 Felony
Penalty Structure:
4-12 years in prison and/or a fine that could range from $3,000 up to $750,000
Examples of Class 3 Felonies
Assault in the first degree
First degree burglary
First degree arson
Sale of Schedule I or II drug
Money laundering
Pimping
Class 2 Felony
Penalty Structure:
8-24 years in prison and/or a fine of that could range from $5,000 up to $1,000,000
Examples of Class 2 Felonies
Second degree murder
Human trafficking
Racketeering activities
Class 1 Felony
Penalty Structure:
Life imprisonment or the death penalty
Examples of Class 1 Felonies
First degree murder
Treason
Misdemeanor or Felony | What Could Happen?
What could happen? The answer: a lot, and none of it good. Whether you’re convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, either could cause you to lose your job or your career that you’ve worked to build for decades. Either could cost you financially and put you in debt. Either could cause you to lose your relationships or marriage, or your reputation/good standing in the community. And either could put you in jail or prison. Debt, uncertainty, anxiety, loss of freedom, none of this is good. Therefore, you want to avoid it all. Don’t get charged, that’s the best solution, but if you do, call a criminal defense attorney in Denver, CO immediately. Having a skilled Denver criminal defense attorney on your side will give you the best chance possible to get your charges dismissed without a trial or acquitted at a trial. A Denver criminal defense attorney can possibly negotiate with prosecutors to reduce your charges, lessen the severity of the punishment, or convert the punishment from jail time to community service. You really cannot afford to go into a criminal prosecution proceeding without a seasoned criminal defense attorney on your team. Whether you’re in Denver, CO or the surrounding area, call us when you’ve been charged, or if you even think you may be charged soon. The sooner we can get to work for you, the better. We’re here to help.
I’ve Just Been Arrested! What Should I Do?
If you have already been arrested, be sure to remain silent. Regardless of your innocence and desire to explain yourself, any statement you give to police on your own, without the counsel of an experienced criminal defense attorney in Denver, CO, will almost certainly damage your case, and decrease your chance of winning. It’s your right to have an attorney present during any questioning. Immediately contact a reputable criminal defense attorney in Englewood, Colorado. He or she will ensure that you fully understand the charges you face and what you can do to strategically plan your defense.
What Is The Difference Between A Misdemeanor Crime And A Felony Crime?
The most notable difference between a felony criminal charge and a misdemeanor criminal charge is the severity of the penalties. Being convicted of a felony could end up with you being incarcerated in a state prison. Any time you serve for a misdemeanor charge is in a local jail and can’t exceed one year.
Can I Settle My Criminal Case To Avoid A Trial?
Most cases of all kinds in Colorado settle before they go to trial. Your Denver criminal defense lawyer will consider all the possible resolutions for your case and decide whether a plea agreement is in your best interest. If your case does go to trial, having an experienced attorney will work in your favor.
If I’ve Been Charged With A Less Serious Misdemeanor Or A Traffic Violation, Should I Just Plead Guilty?
You should never plead guilty without talking to a criminal defense attorney in Englewood, CO who can inform you of the potential consequences that doing so could have on you and your future. A simple traffic violation can cause your car insurance rates to rise and add points to your driver’s license, which can haunt you later. The risks of a conviction far exceed the cost of consulting a qualified Denver criminal defense attorney.
Is It Legal To Attempt To Commit A Crime?
A person who intends to commit a crime and takes some actual steps toward completing that crime can be guilty of a separate crime of attempt. If, however, it is an act that is far removed from the actual crime, it will not usually be found to be significant enough to warrant a criminal attempt charge.
What Is A Prosecutor?
A prosecutor is an attorney who represents whichever government entity is bringing a criminal case against you. The title of a prosecutor may change from one jurisdiction to another. The most common terms are prosecuting attorney, district attorney, county or city attorney, and state attorney. The prosecutor is an elected official who has the duty to punish those who are committing crimes in his or her jurisdiction, while also weighing the obligation to provide these individuals with a fair trial. It is the prosecutor who will engage in negotiations with your criminal defense attorney and possibly offer a plea agreement, if you choose to settle your Englewood, Colorado criminal case.
If you are accused of a crime or a possible suspect in a crime, the decisions you now make will affect the rest of your life. You need a tireless defense lawyer working on your behalf. Don’t hesitate – contact us today.
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Mr. Iyer thanks for taking care of my DUI charges. Because you challenged the officer’s finding I was able to get a fair hearing. I highly recommend Mr. Iyer to anyone who needs their rights and interests protected.
N. Steward – Aurora
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