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• Domestic Violence Blog
• Colorado Criminal Law – Expert Testimony In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – Unfair and Unjust
• Electronic Cyberstalking And Colorado’s Domestic Violence “Stalking” Crimes – 18-3-602 CRS
• Colorado Criminal Law – When The DA Can’t Plea Bargain – Domestic Violence and DUI Cases
• Colorado Criminal Law – Possible Defenses In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• A Comprehensive Guide To Colorado’s “False Imprisonment” Law 18-3-303 C.R.S
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• Parental Kidnapping – Custodial Interference Cases In Colorado – Section 18-3-304
• FAQ How to Seal a Domestic Violence Case That Has Been Dismissed
• Colorado Civil Assist – Civil Standbys in Domestic Violence Cases
• Bonds In Colorado – Colorados Bail Bond Laws – Rules
• Colorado Felony Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer – Pre-Filing Representation
• FAQ: Colorado Criminal Defense Law – Domestic Violence Cases and The Right to Refuse to Testify Based on the 5th Amendment’s Right to NOT Incriminate Oneself
• Colorado Criminal Law – Representing Victims and Witnesses in Criminal Court and Proceedings – The Rights of Victims and Witnesses
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – The Impact of a Colorado Domestic Violence Case On Parenting Time
• FAQ: Colorado Criminal – Domestic Violence Defense Law – What is Strangulation? What Does The Word Strangle Mean?
• FAQ: Colorado Criminal Firearms Laws – The Impact of Colorado Criminal Convictions On The Right To Bear Arms Under Federal Law
• Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding An Allegation Of Stalking Behavior – The Crime Of Stalking in Colorado
• How Denver City Domestic Violence Cases Are Different – The Denver Municipal Ordinance Domestic Violence Exception
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – Understanding The Colorado Laws Governing Dismissal In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Domestic Violence Defense – How To Head Off A False Accusation Of Domestic Violence
• Colorado Domestic Violence Defense Ideas: What Legal Strategies Should My Attorney Consider To Defend Against The Restraining Order
• Trial Issues In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
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• Colorado False Imprisonment Laws and Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Can a Colorado Domestic Violence Victim Refuse to Testify in Court?
• Understanding The Difference Between Colorado Domestic Violence And Actual Domestic Abuse
• Colorado Criminal Law – 18-8-610 When You Tamper With Evidence -18-8-306 Attempting To Influence A Public Servant and 18-5-104 Second Degree Forgery
• Finding The Best Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer – Don’t Be “Handed Off” To Another Lawyer In The Firm – One You Did NOT Retain!
• Meeting With Your Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer For The First Time – Making The Decision To Retain A Lawyer
• Experienced Colorado Domestic Violence Criminal Lawyers in Colorado – Does Experience Really Make A Difference In A Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer?
• Colorado Domestic Violence: An Industry
• FAQ: Colorado Domestic Violence Cases Part II
  • FAQ: Colorado Criminal Law: Understanding the Impact of FEDERAL FIREARMS LAWS AND BRADY FINDINGS in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
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  • Withdrawing a Guilty Plea In Colorado – Especially Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Attorney Profile
• H. Michael Steinberg – A Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Lawyer Defense Lawyer
• Colorado Stalking Laws 18-3-602 – To Convict, A Defendant Does Not Need To Know That The Alleged Victim Is Suffering Serious Emotional Distress
• Key Colorado Domestic Violence Issues
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• Police Contact in Colorado – What Are My Rights?
• Tactics and Strategies When You Are Accused of Domestic Violence in Colorado
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• Colorado Q and A – Knowing Your Constitutional Rights – The First Step In A Colorado Criminal Defense Strategy
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• Understanding the Crime of Stalking in Colorado – A Case In Point
• Colorado Domestic Violence No Contact Orders
• Why Police And Prosecutors Overcharge In Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Colorado Domestic Violence Law: Why the Police Make Immediate Arrests in Domestic Violence Cases
• Colorado Criminal Law: What Is the Crime of False Reporting All About?
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• Colorado Domestic Violence Cases – How Do I Get Off Of This Ride? Discharge Standards and the Completion of Court Ordered Mandated Treatment – Part II
• Colorado Domestic Violence Fast Track Programs
• Colorado Law Harassment Stalking Statute
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• The Defense Of Anticipated False Allegations Of Domestic Violence Cases in Divorce Cases
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Law – The Recanting or Reluctant Witness – Can I Refuse To Testify?
• Transferring Probation Out Of Colorado – The Interstate Compact
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• Don’t They Have To Read Me My Rights? – The Meaning Of Miranda – Custodial Interrogation Under Colorado Law
• Colorado Stalking Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer Writes About Being Charged With Stalking In Colorado 18-3-601, 18-3-602
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• Colorado Domestic Violence Sentencing
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• Understanding Colorado Mandatory Arrest and So Called “No Drop” Prosecution Policies – The Research
  • Colorado Domestic Violence -No Drop Policies
• Colorado Criminal Defense Strategics: The Top Ten Myths About Colorado Criminal Cases
• Colorado Domestic Violence Defense – The Bullying Girlfriend – Spouse and Colorado Domestic Violence Cases *
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Laws – Firearms and Domestic Violence Cases
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Cases – The Role of Mental Health Assessment in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Colorado Criminal Law: Victim Representation in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Colorado Criminal Law: Why You Should Never Make ANY Statement to The Police During an Investigation – Miranda and Interrogation: A 2010 Update
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Defense – Understanding Terms and Concepts of the Domestic Violence Evaluation and Standards
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• In Depth Articles On Domestic Violence Laws – Issues – and History
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  • Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Cases – The Critical Impact of Expert Opinions On The Jury – The Battered Woman’s Syndrome And Other Issues For Expert Testimony
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  • Understanding The Laws, Politics And Policies Behind Domestic Violence Cases – No Room For Justice Here*
    • Domestic Violence Cases – Gender Bias – Men As Perpetrators – Women As Victims – The Truth – Colorado and The Nation – A National Disgrace
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  • How Colorado Criminal Offenders Are Sentenced – Judges Assess Risk
  • Understanding Colorado Presentence Confinement In Concurrent Felony – Misdemeanor Sentencing – § 18-1.3-405
• Domestic Violence and Syndrome Evidence
• Federal Domestic Violence Laws Overview
  • Federal Enforcement of Domestic Violence Protection Orders
  • Federal Gun Laws and Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
  • Federal DV Laws – The U – VISA
  • False Allegations of Domestic Violence and Immigration Fraud
  • Federal Domestic Violence Laws – VAWAs Impact on Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
• Colorado Criminal Domestic Violence Resources
  • 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County
    • 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Jefferson County
    • 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Denver County
    • 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Arapahoe County
    • 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Adams and Broomfield Counties
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    • 2011 Colorado Domestic Violence Treatment Providers By County – Boulder County
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• The Dangers Of Juror Contact In A Colorado Criminal Jury Trials – Colorado Criminal Trial Law Guide
  • The Colorado Rules Of Criminal Procedure – 2017 – A Reference Guide
• Important Links in Colorado Domestic Violence Cases
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Colorado Q and A – Knowing Your Constitutional Rights – The First Step In A Colorado Criminal Defense Strategy

Knowing Your Rights

The following excerpts are from the ACLU’s booklet on knowing your rights – it is an excellent summary of the individual’s constitutional rights and the information contained herein should be freely distributed.

In Colorado when you are stopped by the police it is important to KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

While a website might explain basic rights it is not a substitute for legal advice. You should contact an attorney if you have been arrested or believe that your rights have been violated.

Summary Points – What To Do If You Are Stopped By The Police in Colorado:

• Stay calm and in control of your words, body language and emotions.
• Don’t get into an argument with the police.
• Never bad-mouth a police officer.
• Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you.
• Keep your hands where the police can see them.
• Don’t run.
• Don’t touch any police officer.
• Don’t resist even if you believe you are innocent.
• If you complain at the scene, or tell the police they’re wrong, do so in a non-confrontational way that will not intensify the scene.
• Do not make any statements regarding the incident.
• If you are arrested, ask for a lawyer immediately.
• Remember officers’ badge numbers, patrol car numbers and physical descriptions.
• Write down everything you remember ASAP.
• Try to find witnesses and their names and phone numbers.
• If you are injured, take photos of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you get medical attention first. Ask for copies of your medical treatment files.
• CALL a Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer immediately.

Colorado Q and A – Knowing Your Constitutional Rights – The First Step In A Colorado Criminal Defense Strategy?

If You Are Questioned By The Police – What Are Your Rights

Q: What kind of law enforcement officers might try to question me?

A: You could be questioned by a variety of law enforcement officers, including state or local police officers, Joint Terrorism Task Force members, or federal agents from the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol), Drug Enforcement Administration, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or other agencies.

Q: Do I have to answer questions asked by law enforcement officers?

A: No. You have the constitutional right to remain silent. In general, you do not have to talk to law enforcement officers (or anyone else), even if you do not feel free to walk away from the officer, you are arrested, or you are in jail. You cannot be punished for refusing to answer a question.

It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer before agreeing to answer questions. In general, only a judge can order you to answer questions.

Q: Are there any exceptions to the general rule that I do not have to answer questions?

A: Yes, there are two limited exceptions. First, in some states, you must provide your name to law enforcement officers if you are stopped and told to identify yourself. But even if you give your name, you are not required to answer other questions. Second, if you are driving and you are pulled over for a traffic violation, the officer can require you to show your license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance (but you do not have to answer questions).

Q: Can I talk to a lawyer before answering questions?

A: Yes. You have the constitutional right to talk to a lawyer before answering questions, whether or not the police tell you about that right. The lawyer’s job is to protect your rights. Once you say that you want to talk to a lawyer, officers should stop asking you questions. If they continue to ask questions, you still have the right to remain silent. If you do not have a lawyer, you may still tell the officer you want to speak to one before answering questions. If you do have a lawyer, keep his or her business card with you. Show it to the officer, and ask to call your lawyer.

Remember to get the name, agency and telephone number of any law enforcement officer who stops or visits you, and give that information to your lawyer. (This does not apply to DUI cases where you are required to take an alcohol breath or blood test).

Q: What if I speak to law enforcement officers anyway?

A: Anything you say to a law enforcement officer can be used against you and others. Keep in mind that lying to a government official is a crime but remaining silent until you consult with a lawyer is not.

Even if you have already answered some questions, you can refuse to answer other questions until you have a lawyer.

Q: What if law enforcement officers threaten me with a grand jury subpoena if I don’t answer their questions? (A grand jury subpoena is a written order for you to go to court and testify about information you may have.)

A: If a law enforcement officer threatens to get a subpoena, you still do not have to answer the officer’s questions right then and there, and anything you do say can be used against you. The officer may or may not succeed in getting the subpoena. If you receive a subpoena or an officer

threatens to get one for you, you should call a lawyer right away. If you are given a subpoena, you must follow the subpoena’s direction about when and where to report to the court, but you can still assert your right not to say anything that could be used against you in a criminal case.

Q: What if I am asked to meet with officers for a “counter-terrorism interview”?

A: You have the right to say that you do not want to be interviewed, to have an attorney present, to set the time and place for the interview, to find out the questions they will ask beforehand, and to answer only the questions you feel comfortable answering. If you are taken into custody for any reason, you have the right to remain silent. No matter what, assume that nothing you say is off the record. And remember that it is a criminal offense to knowingly lie to an officer.

Issues Surrounding Colorado Stops and Arrests

Q: What if law enforcement officers stop me on the street?

A: You do not have to answer any questions. You can say, “I do not want to talk to you” and walk away calmly. Or, if you do not feel comfortable doing that, you can ask if you are free to go. If the answer is yes, you can consider just walking away. Do not run from the officer. If the officer says you are not under arrest, but you are not free to go, then you are being detained.

Being detained is not the same as being arrested, though an arrest could follow. The police can pat down the outside of your clothing only if they have “reasonable suspicion” (i.e., an objective reason to suspect) that you might be armed and dangerous. If they search any more than this, say clearly, “I do not consent to a search.” If they keep searching anyway, do not physically resist them. You do not need to answer any questions if you are detained or arrested, except that the police may ask for your name once you have been detained, and you can be arrested in some states for refusing to provide it.

Q: What if law enforcement officers stop me in my car?

A: Keep your hands where the police can see them. You must show your drivers license, registration and proof of insurance if you are asked for these documents. Officers can also ask you to step outside of the car, and they may separate passengers and drivers from each other to question them and compare their answers, but no one has to answer any questions.

The police cannot search your car unless you give them your consent, which you do not have to give, or unless they have “probable cause” to believe (i.e., knowledge of facts sufficient to support a reasonable belief) that criminal activity is likely taking place, that you have been involved in a crime, or that you have evidence of a crime in your car. If you do not want your car searched, clearly state that you do not consent. The officer cannot use your refusal to give consent as a basis for doing a search.

Q: What should I do if law enforcement officers arrest me?

A: The officer must advise you of your constitutional rights to remain silent, to an attorney, and to have an attorney appointed if you cannot afford one. You should exercise all these rights, even if the officers don’t tell you about them. Do not tell the police anything except your name. Anything else you say can and will be used against you. Ask to see a lawyer immediately.

Within a reasonable amount of time after your arrest or booking you have the right to a phone call. Law enforcement officers may not listen to a call you make to your lawyer, but they can listen to calls you make to other people. You must be taken before a judge as soon as possible — within 48 hours of your arrest at the latest.

Q: Do I have to answer questions if I have been arrested?

A: No. If you are arrested, you do not have to answer any questions or volunteer any information. Ask for a lawyer right away. Repeat this request to every officer who tries to talk to or question you. You should always talk to a lawyer before you decide to answer any questions.

Questions About Searches and Warrants

Q: Can law enforcement officers search my home or office?

A: Law enforcement officers can search your home only if they have a warrant or your consent. In your absence, the police can search your home based on the consent of your roommate or a guest if the police reasonably believe that person has the authority to consent. Law enforcement officers can search your office only if they have a warrant or the consent of the employer.

If your employer consents to a search of your office, law enforcement officers can search your workspace whether you consent or not.

Q: What are warrants and what should I make sure they say?

A: A warrant is a piece of paper signed by a judge giving law enforcement officers permission to enter a home or other building to do a search or make an arrest. A search warrant allows law enforcement officers to enter the place described in the warrant to look for and take items identified in the warrant.

An arrest warrant allows law enforcement officers to take you into custody. An arrest warrant alone does not give law enforcement officers the right to search your home (but they can look in places where you might be hiding and they can take evidence that is in plain sight), and a search warrant alone does not give them the right to arrest you (but they can arrest you if they find enough evidence to justify an arrest).

A warrant must contain the judge’s name, your name and address, the date, place to be searched, a description of any items being searched for, and the name of the agency that is conducting the search or arrest. An arrest warrant that does not have your name on it may still be validly used for your arrest if it describes you with enough detail to identify you, and a search warrant that does not have your name on it may still be valid if it gives the correct address and description of the place the officers will be searching.

However, the fact that a piece of paper says “warrant” on it does not always mean that it is an arrest or search warrant. A warrant of deportation/removal, for example, is a kind of administrative warrant and does not grant the same authority to enter a home or other building to do a search or make an arrest.

Q: What should I do if officers come to my house?

A: If law enforcement officers knock on your door, instead of opening the door, ask through the door if they have a warrant. If the answer is no, do not let them into your home and do not answer any questions or say anything other than “I do not want to talk to you.” If the officers say that they do have a warrant, ask the officers to slip it under the door (or show it to you through a peephole, a window in your door, or a door that is open only enough to see the warrant). If you feel you must open the door, then step outside, close the door behind you and ask to see the warrant.

Make sure the search warrant contains everything noted above, and tell the officers if they are at the wrong address or if you see some other mistake in the warrant. (And remember that an immigration “warrant of removal/deportation” does not give the officer the authority to enter your home.) If you tell the officers that the warrant is not complete or not accurate, you should say you do not consent to the search, but you should not interfere if the officers decide to do the search even after you have told them they are mistaken.

Call your lawyer as soon as possible. Ask if you are allowed to watch the search; if you are allowed to, you should. Take notes, including names, badge numbers, which agency each officer is from, where they searched and what they took. If others are present, have them act as witnesses to watch carefully what is happening.

Q: Do I have to answer questions if law enforcement officers have a search or arrest warrant?

A: No. Neither a search nor arrest warrant means you have to answer questions.

Q: What if law enforcement officers do not have a search warrant?

A: You do not have to let law enforcement officers search your home, and you do not have to answer their questions. Law enforcement officers cannot get a warrant based on your refusal, nor can they punish you for refusing to give consent.

Q: What if law enforcement officers tell me they will come back with a search warrant if I do not let them in?

A: You can still tell them that you do not consent to the search and that they need to get a warrant. The officers may or may not succeed in getting a warrant if they follow through and ask the court for one, but once you give your consent, they do not need to try to get the court’s permission to do the search.

Q: What if law enforcement officers do not have a search warrant, but they insist on searching my home even after I object?

A: You should not interfere with the search in any way because you could get arrested. But you should say clearly that you have not given your consent and that the search is against your wishes. If someone is there with you, ask him or her to witness that you are not giving permission for the search. Call your lawyer as soon as possible. Take note of the names and badge numbers of the searching officers.

Please Call Our Firm If You Have Any Questions Regarding:

Your Constitutional Rights

H. Michael Steinberg has been a Colorado criminal law specialist attorney for 40 years (as of 2012). For the First 13 years of his career, he was an Arapahoe – Douglas County District Attorney Senior  prosecutor. In 1999 he formed his own law firm for the defense of Colorado criminal cases.

In addition to handling tens of thousands of cases in the trial courts of Colorado, he has written hundreds of articles regarding the practice of Colorado criminal law and frequently provides legal analysis on radio and television, appearing on the Fox News Channel, CNN and Various National and Local Newspapers and Radio Stations.  Please call him at your convenience at 720-220-2277 

If you have questions about Your Constitutional Rights in the Denver metropolitan area and throughout Colorado, attorney H. Michael Steinberg will be pleased to answer those questions and to provides quality legal representation to those charged in Colorado adult and juvenile criminal matters.

• Colorado Criminal Defense Strategics: The Top Ten Myths About Colorado Criminal Cases
• Colorado Domestic Violence Defense Ideas: What Legal Strategies Should My Attorney Consider To Defend Against The Restraining Order
• Location / Map
• Police Contact in Colorado – What Are My Rights?
• Colorado Domestic Violence Fast Track Programs