If you’ve received a summons in Colorado, you might be wondering what it means and what to expect next. A summons, sometimes entitled a “Uniform Summons and Complaint or Penalty Assessment,” is a legal document given to you by a police officer, ordering you to appear in court to answer for criminal or traffic charges....Read More

While Rule 11 provides a formal framework for entering a guilty plea in Colorado, the real decision-making process starts long before you appear in court. Understanding what happens behind the scenes and what considerations go into accepting a plea deal can help defendants make more informed choices. Here’s what you should know about navigating the...Read More

In a recent legislative move, Colorado’s General Assembly passed House Bill 24-1135, an important piece of legislation aimed at tightening regulations for commercial vehicle operators and ensuring stricter employer accountability. As the bill heads to Governor Polis for his signature, here’s what Coloradans need to know about the changes that could soon impact drivers and...Read More

Like many professionals, criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors have their own set of acronyms and special language to communicate quickly on cases. Let’s talk about some of the most common acronyms that you might see in a criminal case when the prosecutor conveys a plea offer. PG – Plead Guilty. This is often the first...Read More

Imagine Sarah, a Colorado resident who relies on marijuana to manage her chronic pain. Recently, she found herself entangled in the legal system and is now under pre-trial services awaiting her court date. Sarah is faced with a pressing question: Can she continue using marijuana to manage her symptoms, or does her new legal status...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

Have you ever thought about whether taking someone’s phone could be seen as domestic violence in Colorado? It’s a nuanced question with a complex answer. Let’s unpack this and understand what Colorado law says about such scenarios. When Taking a Phone Crosses the Line Theft: A Taking is a Crime Picture this: you take someone...Read More

At Path Forward Legal, we help people understand the charges against them and the possible penalties they face if charged with a crime. We’re often asked if someone will go to prison if they are convicted. When we can answer “no,” it’s a great thing. For most crimes, alternatives to prison exist. However, prison or...Read More

In the intricate landscape of Colorado’s criminal legal system, the role of pre-sentence investigations and the Pre-sentence Investigation Report (or PSI) stands as a pivotal element that is often overlooked. For defendants navigating this challenging journey, understanding the profound impact these investigations can have on sentencing decisions is crucial. This article aims to shed light...Read More