Category

Colorado Criminal Procedure
19
Feb

Can I Travel Out of State If I’m Charged With a Crime?

Every year, thousands of Americans navigate the legal system while trying to maintain their daily lives. A common stumbling block? Understanding travel limitations when charged with a crime. If you’re charged with a crime in Colorado, can you leave the state? What if you were just visiting: can you return home? The answer to this...
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Appealing Restitution Gets Harder
09
Feb

New Case Alert: Martinez v. People, 2024 CO 6

The Colorado Supreme Court just clarified an important question about restitution orders in criminal cases: how much oversight is the trial court decision going to get on appeal? A trial court must order a defendant convicted of a felony to pay restitution for any pecuniary loss he proximately caused his victim. §18-1.3-602(3)(a), C.R.S. (2023). In...
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23
Oct

Sealing vs. Expungement: Colorado Criminal Records

Struggling with the burden of a previous arrest or criminal conviction? You’re far from alone. In Colorado, thousands grapple with the weight of a criminal record. At Path Forward Legal, we often get asked if there is a way to expunge or seal a criminal record. There is, but there is a difference between sealing...
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Understanding Preliminary Hearings in Colorado
19
Oct

Understanding Preliminary Hearings in Colorado: A Comprehensive Guide

When facing criminal charges in Colorado, navigating the legal system can be daunting. One of the crucial stages in this journey is the preliminary hearing. This page aims to demystify the process, shedding light on what a preliminary hearing in Colorado entails, its significance, and how a skilled Colorado criminal defense lawyer can significantly impact...
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10
Sep

5 things to know about VRA (Victim’s Rights Act) in Colorado

If you’ve been in criminal court, you may have heard the judge ask if a prosecutor is “VRA compliant.” Or, you may have been told that a plea offer needs to be “VRA’d.” But what does VRA or the Victim’s Rights Act mean in a criminal case? Before we answer 5 common questions about the...
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10
Jul

Can the victim drop charges in a domestic violence case?

Navigating the maze of law and criminal procedure can be complex, especially when it comes to delicate situations like domestic violence. Understanding your rights and the powers that others have in your case can make all the difference in finding the best path forward. We at Path Forward Legal are dedicated to helping you gain...
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01
May

What you lose when you plead guilty in Colorado

The rights that you give up when pleading guilty in Colorado are usually written out in a plea form called a Rule 11. The paperwork lists these rights as well as details about the charge or charges to which you are pleading guilty, like the elements of the charge and the maximum penalties that can...
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Judge using gavel on bench.
01
May

What happens at your first criminal court date?

When someone has been charged with a crime, they have a right to be informed of the nature of the charges against them.  In serious cases, They also have a right to an attorney and at every critical stage of their court case. But how do you know what you’ve been charged with and if...
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