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.

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Very pleased with service

Ms. Monahan was professional, answered all my questions, and ended up achieving the desired outcome. I highly recommend her personally and Wolf Law.

— R.N.

Very helpful with my legal issue – Highly recommend

Cassandra helped me through the process of of fighting a charge that was not correct. I could not have done it without her. She was very professional and explained the process before and during when I had to show up at court. The case was dropped..

Thank you Cassandra –

— CABeardsley

Thorough Representation

I had the pleasure of working with Cassandra regarding an expungement matter of a juvenile case. She was very concise in her explanations of the process and kept me up to date on the evolving progress of the case. Upon completion of the expungement, I was glad to see that Cassandra had gone the extra mile to make sure that the intricacies of my case were properly addressed. Although I hope to never personally require these services again, I would gladly recommend Cassandra and Wolf Law to anyone in need of representation.

— Jared

First Rate Legal Representation

If one were to Google all the attributes that you want in legal representation, Wolf Law would check off each box. His entire staff is helpful and professional. As for Mr. Wolf himself, his expertise and straight-talk are exactly what you want and need in an attorney. The outcome of my case matched my most optimistic goal. I thoroughly endorse Wolf Law.

— Trenton

Wolf Law and Colleen Kelley are Great

Had the chance to work with Colleen Kelley and found her not only to be a great attorney, but also someone who will fight for you! Highly recommend her…

— Tom S.

A Great Help in a Time of Turbulence

After being convicted of a DUI for marijuana, I quickly searched for an attorney. I chose to contact Wolf Law first because of the certifications and positive reviews that I saw. I am very glad that I made this choice. This was my first time in trouble with the law, so I didn’t quite know how to handle the situation, but with just a few meetings, phone calls, and emails I felt confident towards the resolution of my issues. Jeff explained everything thoroughly and made sure I knew everything I needed to know and more. I personally needed only a few meetings and talks, but I know that Jeff would be glad to meet or talk as much as necessary. He is clearly very passionate about his work and is a well of legal knowledge. I began with several charges and seeing an overwhelmingly bad outcome in my future, but as Jeff and Wolf Law fought for me, the charges faded away until only one remained and even it was reduced. I left with what I view as the best possible outcome for my given situation. Wolf Law not only helped mitigate the consequences of my mistake, but also granted me great comfort and guidance through the whole experience.

— Bryan C.

Good Outcome

Mr. Wolf offered excellent service, fast responses and prompt communication. I was so relieved that he was willing and able to take my case. He and his team are very professional and got me the best possible outcome.

— Brian

Jeff Wolf

I was very impressed with the services provided and knowledge of him, and his firm. His direct communication and direction were very helpful and very much appreciated.

Thank you.

— Steve Bares

Colleen is wonderful!

Colleen was so helpful and it was comforting to have her knowledge and experience working on our emergency. She took a process we had no experience with and made us feel secure and empowered. She did so much for us, and I can’t thank her enough or recommend her more highly!

— James Sehota

Kind, Knowledgeable, and No-Nonsense Attorney

I hired Mr. Wolf to represent me in my efforts to obtain a permanent civil protection order against the person who committed a crime against me. This person is currently incarcerated for the crime but is being considered for parole. Due to Mr. Wolf’s criminal law background, and his outstanding attorney ratings, I believed him to be the best legal professional to successfully represent my safety and security concerns in court. I was not wrong!!

Mr. Wolf expertly and succinctly prepared the protection order paperwork on my behalf, prepared me for my court appearance in a direct and as complete a manner as possible, and successfully represented me in court. He also expressed sincere kindness towards me from the day I hired him to the conclusion of my case. Another attorney without a criminal law background may have been able to have successfully obtained a permanent civil protection order on my behalf; however, I was unwilling to take that chance given the criminal background of my case. I will be forever grateful to Mr. Wolf for his successful representation of me, and for making my safety and security one of his top priorities.

— Teresa M