Criminal Defense FAQ

If you or someone you care about is facing criminal charges in Colorado, you likely have questions about your legal options and what to expect moving forward.

On this page, the Denver criminal defense attorneys at Wolf Law address some commonly asked questions about arrests, formal charges and the criminal justice process. If you’re ready to discuss your situation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, please call Wolf Law today at 720-479-8574 or contact us online for a free consultation.

Q: What criminal cases does Wolf Law handle?

A: The accomplished attorneys at Wolf Law handle a wide range of criminal cases, including but not limited to:

A law book with a gavel - Criminal law — Criminal law covers a broad range of situations.

Assault charges
Domestic violence charges
Drug charges
DUI/DWAI charges
Harassment charges
Internet and computer crime charges
Juvenile crimes
Probation violations
Theft charges
Weapons charges

For a detailed list of case examples, please see our Practice Areas page.

Q: Can I contact a lawyer on behalf of someone else who is facing criminal charges?

A: It’s common for family or friends to reach out on behalf of loved ones who are confronted with criminal charges. At Wolf Law, we welcome you to contact us for a free consultation to help you understand potential courses of action, and we can take the lead on building a strong case if your loved one decides to retain our services.

Q: Should I talk to law enforcement if I’m being investigated for or have been charged with a crime?

A: Don’t answer any law enforcement questions without speaking to a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer first. Whether you’re being investigated for a crime or have already been charged, you have rights; those rights include the right to remain silent and obtain the services of an attorney. Any statements you make to law enforcement could be used against you in a criminal case.

Q: What if I wasn’t read my Miranda rights when I was arrested? Will my case be dismissed?

Drunk driver being pulled over by police. — You have the right to remain silent. Don’t answer law enforcement questions without first speaking to a criminal defense lawyer. And make sure to tell your attorney if arresting officers fail to issue a Miranda warning.

A: Most people know the basics of a Miranda warning: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

Law enforcement officers are generally required to notify criminal suspects of their Miranda rights upon taking suspects into custody. However, if police fail to provide this warning it doesn’t mean the suspect is free and clear of criminal charges. It simply means that prosecuting attorneys will not be able to use statements made by the suspect as evidence.

Conversely, once the Miranda warning has been issued, anything a suspect says afterward will be admissible in court. If you were arrested and taken into custody without being notified of your Miranda rights, it’s important to mention this to your criminal defense lawyer.

Q: If I’ve been charged with a crime, how soon should I contact an attorney?

A: It’s in your best interest to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your arrest. Depending on the charges, an attorney may be able to secure your release from jail or argue for a reduced bond.

Teenager in handcuffs after shoplifting — It’s advisable to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after arrest.

While there’s no hard deadline for hiring an attorney, the earlier in the process you have a lawyer on your side the better. Retaining an attorney before your arraignment will allow time for your lawyer to investigate your case and build a thorough defense on your behalf.

Q: Should I hire an attorney if I plan to plead guilty to criminal charges?

A: Even if you plan to enter a guilty plea, working with an attorney has its advantages. For example, a skilled criminal defense lawyer may be able to negotiate for reduced charges and minimize subsequent punishment.

Q: Can Wolf Law guarantee an outcome on my case?

A: No. It would be unethical for any attorney to guarantee an outcome to a case, although some lawyers make promises they can’t necessarily keep. This isn’t because they’re bad attorneys or bad people, but because many facts remain unknown after the initial contact between clients and their lawyers.

The full facts relative to a case can’t be known or interpreted until an attorney is hired and begins the discovery process. During your initial consultation with Wolf Law, we can provide an idea of what to expect, but we can’t guarantee a specific outcome. Beware of attorneys who make such promises.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Colorado, the Denver criminal defense attorneys at Wolf Law are ready to hear your story. Call us today at 720-479-8574 for a free case consultation or contact us online.

Featured Blogs

Certifications

Testimonials

Hire A Lawyer You Can Relate To and Trust

I happened to find Jeff through a Google search for a DUI lawyer and I would have to say I really lucked out. I had heard horror stories about attorneys that overcharged their clients and that they would send others to represent them in court. From the initial phone call he helped me understand the process and prepared me for what was ahead. Having never needed a lawyer he was patient and made sure I understood everything before making any decisions. Jeff always made me feel like I was on the same level as him which I really appreciated. Jeff always prepared me for the worst, but in the end with his hard work and suggestions beforehand he managed to get me a pretty good deal. The best advice I could give is to be informed and START EVERYTHING right away. I would also say to hire a lawyer that you can relate to and that you trust. Don’t waste your money on someone that isn’t going to give you the personal attention you deserve. I would gladly recommend Jeff Wolf! He is down to earth and I never felt judged. He gave it to me straight and without hiring him I don’t know where I’d be. Thanks Jeff!

— Issac

DUI Charge Reduced to Reckless Driving

I approached Mr. Wolf due to a first-time DUI charge. He was extremely knowledgeable and professional throughout every step of the legal process. As a result of his diligence in court, the charges against me were reduced to reckless driving. I would recommend Mr. Wolf’s services to my friends and family.

— Gina

Great representation

Cassandra at Wolf Law did an excellent job in my legal matter. I would highly recommend her office to my family and friends.

— Dan L.

Thanks for your help

Cassandra Monahan helped me get the best results I needed for my case. I highly recommend! Much appreciated!

— Melissa

Cassandra Monahan

Cassandra has represented me several times. She has always been professional and effective. The outcomes were better than expected and communications and empathy were top-notch. I would highly recommend!

— Aaron Olson

Hit and Run Charges

I had multiple charges stacked against me by the CSP office for a questionable “hit and run” in my office parking lot. Jeff reviewed the video evidence and was able to get the charges reduced from 26 points against my driver’s license down to 4. He was also able to get the fines reduced to the minimum amount! Jeff was extremely knowledgeable and helped ease my fears each time we spoke and explained the whole process and what to expect along the way. Thank you, Jeff!

— Jim M.

Would Highly Recommend

Jeff provided excellent legal advice and guided my situation to a very desirable outcome. He was in frequent contact via phone and email throughout the process, answered all of the questions that I had, and gave me the ability to confidently choose the best outcome for my circumstances. Legal issues are scary, complicated, and stressful but Jeff reduces all those negatives and makes you feel like someone has your back. Would highly recommend his services if you ever find yourself in need of criminal defense.

— Max I.

Best possible outcome!

I was facing felony assault charges for an altercation I got into and needed an attorney. It was self defense but the DA was not seeing it that way. After calling around I found Wolf law and spoke with Colleen Kelley on the phone about my case. From the get go she was very professional and I could tell that she truly cares for her clients and their rights and wants to get the best possible outcome. So many attorneys out there just go through the motions and take peoples money. Colleen is not one of them! She knows the law and knows your rights. She’s very experienced in these types of cases and it showed! We took this case all the way to trial and Colleen was nothing short of exceptional in court! She left no stone unturned and was 110% prepared when my trial date came around. She also did an exceptional job preparing me for trial. I felt very confident going into trial because Colleen was in my corner. Communication was great throughout the whole process. Needless to say we got the result we were looking for and I was found not guilty on all counts. I will forever be grateful to Colleen for her services and I am thankful that I chose her to represent me. If you’re looking for a top notch attorney, pick up the phone and call Colleen!

— Ivan M.

Working With Jeff

Mr. Wolf was very patient and understanding while working with me to get through my case. He took his time explaining things to me and telling me what I needed to do to prepare. He found a way to get me the best realistic outcome for my case.

— Eren

Excellent

I had Jeff work on two cases of mine. Very professional and very understanding. Outstanding communication and advice. I would highly recommend Mr. Wolf to anyone seeking legal help.

— Jasen B.