Felony Charges

Felony charges in the state of Colorado carry with them very serious consequences that can affect many areas of your life, for the rest of your life. If you are charged with a felony, you face severe possible punishment from the justice system. 

While you are Constitutionally guaranteed the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, an experienced, dedicated lawyer can have a huge impact on the outcome of your case. You need a professional who will work hard to protect your rights, and ensure that criminal charges do not ruin your life.Call the Longmont felony defense attorneys of Mertes Law for help today.

Different Classes of Felony Charges

Felony charges are organized into different classes, and each class carries with it a presumptive sentence range, or baseline for sentencing, should the person charged be found guilty. The most serious, “Class 1” felonies, carry mandatory sentences of life in prison, while less serious “Class 6” felonies carry prison terms of 12 to 18 months. 

While there are many factors involved in the sentencing decision the judge will ultimately make, here are the general sentencing guidelines provided under Title 18 Article 1.3 of the Colorado Revised Statutes:

Remember, the presumptive sentence range is only a baseline. Extenuating factors, which may include prior criminal record, community activism, courtroom demeanor, and many others, may result in a longer or shorter sentence than indicated by the presumptive range.

What Can a Felony Defense Lawyer Do?

There are a large number of factors that can affect the outcome of a criminal charge, but the most important one is your absolute guarantee of the right to legal representation.

If you have been accused of a crime in Colorado, speak with a criminal defense lawyer immediately; do not speak with police without a lawyer present to protect your rights. An experienced lawyer will make sure that you are treated appropriately by police, prosecutors and anyone else involved in the criminal justice process. If your rights are not observed, your lawyer may be able to get the charges dropped altogether.

If your case does go to trial, a dedicated criminal defense attorney will work hard to have the charges dismissed, or to get an acquittal, and in the event of a conviction, to get the least restrictive sentence possible. In some cases, prison time may be avoided altogether with probation or a suspended sentence. 

Contact Our Longmont Felony Defense Lawyers Today

The Longmont criminal defense attorneys are dedicated and experienced professionals who know how the justice system works. They will work tirelessly to uncover any evidence which will effectively weaken the criminal case against you. 

You need an attorney you can place your trust in when your freedom, your rights, your family, your career and your future are all on the line, and the Mertes Law Firm can provide everything you need following your criminal offense charges. Contact the Mertes Law Firm today.  Call us at 303-440-0123 or fill out the contact form on this page and start fighting these serious charges.