Top Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyers State, federal, and everything in between.
From a first misdemeanor to a complex federal indictment, the trial attorneys of Stuart & Ward defend the accused in courtrooms across Colorado. We are former state public defenders, and our white collar and general criminal defense practices are both ranked Tier 1 in Colorado by Best Law Firms.
When the Stakes Are High,experience decides the outcome.
A criminal charge puts your freedom, your record, and your future in the state's hands. The lawyers of Stuart & Ward have spent their careers on the defense side of that fight.
Each of our attorneys began at the Colorado State Public Defender's Office, trying cases from the day they were sworn in. That trial experience is the core of how we defend clients today. We prepare every case as if it is going to a jury, because a case that is genuinely ready for trial is the case that resolves on the best terms, whether it is ultimately tried or negotiated.
We defend the full range of state and federal charges, from a first DUI to a multi-count federal indictment. Our work has been recognized with Tier 1 rankings in Colorado for both Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White Collar by Best Law Firms. Whatever the charge, our clients have a team of seasoned trial lawyers protecting them from every angle.
A Practice Built for Colorado's Courtrooms
Stuart & Ward defends the accused across the full range of Colorado criminal law. Explore the areas below to understand what is at stake and how we approach each one.
Colorado State Felony
Felony charges in Colorado district court carry prison exposure, lasting record consequences, and a fast-moving process. We defend every class of state felony.
Learn More →Colorado Federal Felony
Federal cases move differently than state cases, from the grand jury to the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. We defend individuals and businesses under federal investigation or indictment.
Learn More →Domestic Violence
A domestic violence allegation triggers a mandatory protection order and immediate consequences, often before the facts are ever heard. We defend the accused at every stage.
Learn More →DUI & DWAI
Colorado treats impaired driving as both a criminal case and a DMV matter, running on two separate clocks. We handle both sides.
Learn More →Drug Crimes
From possession to distribution and federal trafficking, Colorado drug charges still carry serious penalties. We challenge the stop, the search, and the science.
Learn More →Sex Crimes
Sex offense allegations carry registration, social, and custodial consequences unlike any other charge. We defend these cases with discretion and rigor.
Learn More →Theft
Colorado grades theft by dollar value, and the line between a misdemeanor and a felony can come down to a single receipt. We defend theft charges at every level.
Learn More →Fraud
Fraud charges turn on intent and documents. We defend state and federal fraud allegations, often before charges are ever formally filed.
Learn More →White-Collar Crimes
Embezzlement, securities, tax, and public corruption cases are document-heavy and reputation-sensitive. Our white collar defense is ranked Tier 1 in Colorado.
Learn More →Probation Violations
A revocation hearing carries a lower burden of proof and can impose the original sentence. We fight to keep clients out of custody and on track.
Learn More →Victim's Rights
Colorado's Victim Rights Act gives victims a defined role in the criminal process. We advise and advocate for victims navigating the system.
Learn More →Civil Forfeitures
The state can move to seize property connected to an alleged crime, sometimes without a conviction at all. We contest forfeiture actions.
Learn More →Record Sealing & Expungement
A closed case can still surface on a background check. We petition to seal eligible Colorado records so your past stays in your past.
Learn More →A Defense Built onreal trial experience.
Plenty of firms will take a criminal case. Far fewer are built, from the ground up, around the courtroom. That difference is the whole point of Stuart & Ward.
Former State Public Defenders
Every attorney at the firm started at the Colorado State Public Defender's Office. We learned to defend cases in the courtroom, under pressure, not from behind a desk.
Tried, Not Just Settled
We prepare every case for trial. Prosecutors know which lawyers are ready to put the state to its proof, and it changes what they are willing to offer.
Direct Attorney Access
The lawyer you meet is the lawyer who handles your case. We return all calls and emails, and we answer our clients' questions at every stage.
What to Expect in a Colorado Criminal Case
No two cases are alike, but most Colorado criminal cases move through the same stages. Knowing the road ahead makes it easier to make good decisions early, when they count for the most.
Arrest or Investigation
Some cases begin with an arrest. Others begin quietly, with a detective's call or a grand jury subpoena. The earlier a lawyer is involved, the more can be done.
Filing of Charges
Prosecutors, not police, decide the final charges. What you are arrested for and what you are formally charged with are often two different things.
Arraignment
You are formally advised of the charges and enter a plea. This hearing sets the schedule that the rest of the case follows.
Pretrial & Investigation
This is where cases are won: motions to suppress evidence, independent investigation, expert review, and negotiation from a position of strength.
Plea or Trial
Most cases resolve before trial, but only a case prepared for trial resolves on good terms. We prepare for both at the same time.
Sentencing or Resolution
If there is a plea or conviction, sentencing is its own argument. Colorado law leaves real room to advocate, and we use all of it.
Results That Speak for Themselves
A track record of outcomes is one of the strongest trust signals on a criminal defense site, both for prospective clients and for search visibility.
Colorado Criminal Defense FAQ
When should I call a criminal defense lawyer?
As early as possible, ideally before you speak to police. In Colorado you have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Using both early rarely hurts a case and often saves it.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Colorado?
Colorado misdemeanors are generally punishable by up to 364 days in county jail. Felonies carry the possibility of state prison and longer-lasting consequences to your rights and record. Some charges can be filed either way depending on the facts.
Should I talk to the police if I am innocent?
Being innocent does not make talking to police safe. You can decline to answer questions and ask for a lawyer without that being used against you. Let your attorney be the one who tells your side.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Colorado?
Fees depend on the charge, the court, and the complexity of the case. Stuart & Ward discusses fees directly and clearly at the initial consultation, which is free.
Can a criminal charge be dismissed before trial?
Yes. Charges are dismissed or reduced for many reasons: a successful motion to suppress evidence, weaknesses in the state's proof, or negotiation. That is why early, thorough work matters so much.
Will a criminal conviction stay on my record forever?
Not always. Colorado allows many records to be sealed once a case is closed and eligibility requirements are met. We handle record sealing and expungement as part of the same practice.
Serving Denver & Communities Across Colorado
Our office is in Denver, and our work follows our clients across the state. Stuart & Ward attorneys appear in courts throughout the Front Range and the Western Slope.
Counties We Serve
Communities We Serve
“We have won the unwinnable.”
Charged With a Crime in Colorado? Talk to Us Today.
The sooner we are involved, the more we can do. Consultations with Stuart & Ward are free and confidential.