Pueblo Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal defense is one of the most impactful areas of the law. The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution gives anyone charged with a criminal offense in the United States the right to be represented by an attorney. This is true even if you can’t afford an attorney.

At Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. in Pueblo, Colorado, our experienced lawyers have been practicing criminal defense for years.

We will fight for your rights from start to finish. Contact us today for a free consultation.

How Anaya & Chadderdon Can Help

It’s always best to reach out to an assertive criminal defense attorney in Pueblo as soon as you learn that you are under investigation, so you have steadfast legal protection of your rights as soon as possible.

Your attorney from Anaya & Chadderdon may be able to achieve a dismissal of all charges based on police procedural violations. However, if you’ve already been charged and arrested, it’s not too late.

The experienced defense attorneys at Anaya & Chadderdon will do the following:

• Put our years of experience as prosecutors on your side to give you the legal advantage of insight and understanding of how the prosecutor plans to pursue a conviction in your case, giving us a leading edge in dismantling their case
• Having experience on the other side of the court allows us to accurately predict the prosecution’s next move through every step of the process, allowing us to effectively counteract it
• An attorney with prior experience in prosecutions also understands what the prosecutor is looking for, which can help you achieve your goals if you are seeking a plea deal; for example, agreeing to go to a treatment center or seeking a dismissal by taking a polygraph test 
• We’ve earned the respect of Colorado’s law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges, allowing our renowned reputation to put a powerful voice on your side

We will put our experience, knowledge, and resources at your side throughout every step of the criminal defense process.

Types of Cases We Handle

 Clients turn to Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. as their criminal defense law firm in Pueblo for many of the standard charges faced by Colorado’s alleged offenders, including the following:

Assault charges 

Assault charges have serious, lifelong consequences for a conviction in Colorado. A conviction of first-degree assault is a Class 3 felony with 10-32 years in prison and fines ranging from $3,000 to $750,000.

Assault convictions for second-degree assault are a Class 3 or 4 felony with penalties of 5 to 16 years in prison and fines ranging from $2,000 to $500,000.

An assault conviction for third-degree assault is a Class 1 misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 18 months in county jail and fines of up to $1,000.

An attorney from Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C. will mount a rigorous legal defense against assault charges, including strategies such as self-defense, alibis, the state’s lack of credible witnesses, or the prosecution’s failure to meet the required burden of proof.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is an enhancement charge added to other offenses, such as assault, stalking, harassment, and unsolicited sexual contact. The enhancement is added when other charges apply to intimate partner relationships.

Depending on the underlying assault charge, jail time for a domestic violence charge ranges from up to 18 months for third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, to 10-32 years for first-degree assault, a Class 3 felony. Fines of up to $100,000 may also apply.

Drug Charges

Colorado’s criminal justice system has a wide range of penalties and fines for drug charges, depending on whether the charges are possession or trafficking, as well as the type and amount of the illegal substance in question.

DUI Charges

Colorado takes drunk driving seriously, with stiff penalties for convictions even for first-time offenders. Depending on your blood alcohol level, you could face mandatory jail time from five days to one year with fines of up to $1,000 and court fees if you are charged with a DUI in Pueblo.

In addition, mandatory license suspension, community service, and ignition interlock devices apply in convictions.

Gun Charges

A gun charge in Pueblo may be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the specific circumstances of the offense. Misdemeanor charges, such as concealed carry without a permit, can result in jail time and fines. In contrast, felony gun charges can result in incarceration, fines, and life-altering consequences on your ability to own firearms.

Robbery

Robbery convictions in Pueblo, Colorado, are typically classified as Class 4 felonies, carrying fines and a potential sentence of up to 6 years in prison, with stiffer penalties for repeat offenders. If the robbery involved the use of a deadly weapon, it becomes a Class 3 felony offense of aggravated robbery with harsh penalties of up to 32 years in prison.

Sex Crimes

Sex crime convictions range in penalties depending on the type and severity of the crime, but most sex crimes are serious felonies with consequences including prison time, fines, and registration as a sex offender with permanent adverse consequences.

Your Pueblo criminal defense lawyer will put on a robust defense from the moment you learn you are under investigation or charged with any of the above offenses.

What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?

A criminal defense lawyer’s primary purpose is to defend people who have been charged with a crime. There are many steps along the way that they must take in order to do this, including the following:

Interview

One of the first things a criminal defense lawyer does with a new client is to conduct an interview. This includes asking them about the facts of their case and learning what the client’s goals are. Does the client want to take the case to trial, or would they prefer to seek a plea deal?

If they don’t know what all their options would be, a criminal defense attorney should explain to them their choices and help them determine the best way to move forward.

Investigate

A criminal defense attorney is responsible for thoroughly investigating any case they agree to take on. This includes speaking with witnesses, collecting any available video footage, requesting medical records in some circumstances, requesting and reviewing all of the discovery evidence from the prosecution, and making sure every necessary task is done to prepare for their client’s case.

Most importantly, the criminal defense attorney will speak extensively with their client and craft a strategy that will have the best possible outcome for their client.

Negotiations and Trial

One of the primary jobs that a criminal defense lawyer does for their client is to negotiate with the prosecutor. They will discuss the case at length with their client and try to find any mitigating factors that can be presented in a positive light to the prosecutor in order to negotiate a quick resolution to the case.

A criminal defense attorney will prepare and take the case to trial if an agreement cannot be reached. After a trial occurs, they will also prepare for sentencing if the outcome of the trial is unfavorable.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it demonstrates why a criminal defense lawyer is so important to your case.

When Do You Need a Pueblo Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Many people assume they don’t need a criminal defense lawyer until they’ve actually been arrested. While it’s absolutely necessary to hire a lawyer if you’ve been arrested, there are other circumstances in which you might also need a criminal defense lawyer.

The Police Want to Question You

If you haven’t been arrested yet, but you are notified by the police that they would like to question you about a crime, you should contact a criminal defense lawyer right away. Even if they claim you aren’t a suspect, it’s a good idea to always have legal representation prior to speaking with the police.

You Were With Someone Who Committed a Crime

If you didn’t commit a crime but you were with someone who committed a crime, it’s probably a good idea to contact a criminal defense lawyer. Even if the police haven’t contacted you yet, it’s still smart to consult with a defense attorney in case you find yourself needing one in the future. The more proactive you are, the better.

You Have an Arrest Warrant

If you haven’t yet been arrested but you know or suspect that there’s a warrant out for your arrest, you should contact a criminal defense lawyer before you talk to the police or turn yourself in. While you should always be entitled to speak with a lawyer once you’re arrested, it can sometimes be difficult and delayed.

After you’ve been arrested and incarcerated, the police can sometimes take their time letting you get in touch with a lawyer.

Contact an Experienced Pueblo Criminal Defense Lawyer at Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C.

If you’ve been arrested or think you need a criminal defense attorney for any other reason, contact us at Anaya & Chadderdon, P.C., we can help. We’ve been handling all types of criminal cases in Colorado for years, and when you hire us, you’re hiring a lawyer who cares about your case as much as you do.

With former prosecutor experience, we are in a unique position to understand all sides of the case and we will make sure you are defended the way you deserve. We will make certain that all of your legal rights are protected. Contact us today for a free consultation.