Adams County Criminal Defense Lawyer

Adams County, Colorado, encompasses diverse communities and is home to a wide range of legal challenges. Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony, having an experienced criminal defense attorney is critical to safeguarding your rights and ensuring fair treatment under the law. DeChant Law is committed to providing skilled and compassionate representation to individuals accused of crimes in Adams County.

Common Crimes in Adams County, CO

Criminal cases in Adams County cover a broad spectrum of offenses, including:

• DUI/DWAI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a leading cause of arrests, with penalties ranging from fines to incarceration.
• Drug Crimes: Possession, distribution, or manufacturing of controlled substances, including marijuana and opioids, remains prevalent.
• Assault and Domestic Violence: Incidents of physical harm or threats between individuals often result in criminal charges.
• Theft and Property Crimes: Cases such as shoplifting, burglary, and vandalism frequently occur.
• White-Collar Crimes: Fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft are also investigated and prosecuted in the county.
• Juvenile Crimes: Minors face charges for underage drinking, theft, and other offenses that can impact their futures.

What to Do If Arrested in Adams County

If you are arrested in Adams County, acting quickly and carefully can protect your rights and improve your defense:

1. Stay Calm and Composed: Be respectful and avoid resisting arrest.
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent: Do not answer questions without an attorney present.
3. Request Legal Representation: Contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
4. Do Not Discuss Your Case: Avoid speaking about the incident with anyone except your lawyer.
5. Follow Court Orders: Adhere to bail conditions and attend all scheduled court appearances.

How the Criminal Court Process Works

The criminal court process in Adams County typically involves these steps:

• Arrest and Booking: Law enforcement takes the accused into custody, and charges are filed.
• Initial Hearing: The accused appears before a judge to be informed of the charges, and bail may be set.
• Pretrial Proceedings: Evidence is exchanged, and motions may be filed to address procedural or evidentiary issues.
• Negotiations: Plea agreements may be explored to resolve the case without a trial.
• Trial: If the case proceeds, both sides present evidence to a judge or jury, who determines guilt or innocence.
• Sentencing: If convicted, the judge imposes penalties, which may include fines, probation, or imprisonment.

Criminal Court FAQs

I have court at Adams County Combined Court, what should I expect?

Most cases funnel through division R or R2 in Adams County. Traffic matters and less serious misdemeanors will mostly be set into division R in front of a magistrate where you may hear a plea offer and discuss the case with a prosecutor. Division R2 or a corresponding county court division is where you may start if you are facing allegations that include a felony charge. We recommend against speaking with a prosecutor and instead hiring an experienced attorney to do so on your behalf.

Once you enter the courthouse you will pass through security. On the right side you will see several TVs where you can locate your name and determine what courtroom you are to appear in. The elevators on the left will take you to the courtrooms or you can take the stairs down the hall to the right past the information desk.

Do I need an attorney for my first court appearance in Brighton, Colorado?

While an attorney is not required, we highly recommend obtaining a Brighton Criminal Defense Attorney before going to court. Most people think they will be able to explain the situation to the prosecutor and will get the case dismissed, but there is great risk in talking to the prosecutor as anything you say can and will be used against you. Additionally, even if you are guilty, it is still suggested to invest in your future to make sure you are turning over every stone to see if you can get the case dismissed or minimizing the consequences of a plea. If you hire a Brighton Criminal Defense Attorney like DeChant Law, we can handle the negotiations for you and protect your rights. We often vacate the initial division R appearance and have it set into a trial division so we can get a prosecutor assigned to your case to present mitigation.

Does DeChant Law handle cases in Brighton, Colorado?

Yes! Reid DeChant has extensive experience in Brighton and has a healthy relationship with many judges, prosecutors and public defenders in Brighton. This allows DeChant Law to know what to expect and prepare you for what lies ahead. Additionally, prosecutors know DeChant Law is not afraid to go to trial. If the plea offer falls short of your satisfaction, we can always proceed to trial and let the prosecutors know we mean business. At DeChant Law, setting for trial carries weight because no matter the allegations, the Adams County prosecutors know we will put up a fight.

Adams County Court Resources

Adams County Justice Center

1100 Judicial Center Dr.

Brighton, CO 80601

Phone: (303) 659-1161

The courthouse is located off Bromley lane, just West of I-76. It is situated behind the Lowe’s home improvement store. The courthouse is across the parking lot from the Public Defender’s Office, the Adams County District Attorney’s Office and the Adams County Probation Department.

Adams County is one of the more lenient courthouses when it comes to appearing virtually. You can find virtual courtroom links here: Livestream and Virtual Courtrooms | Colorado Judicial Branch

Problem Solving Courts

Problem-solving courts (PSC) originated in the 1980s and focused on drug offenders. They address problems that contribute to criminal behavior. PSC differs from traditional criminal courts in treating the causes of criminal actions differently. The goal of PSC is to treat the offender rather than punish them.

Adams County offers Adult Drug Court and Veterans Court.

Drug Courts: Focuses on offenders that have an addiction to substance abuse. Drug court focuses on providing treatment, rehabilitation, and cause as opposed to traditional punishment. Adult Drug Courts provide individualized long-term treatment, education, housing, and job assistance to adults with substance use disorders, reducing recidivism and creating healthier communities.

Veterans Treatment Court: Provides specialized support and treatment to veterans who have committed crimes often related to PTSD, Mental health, and substance abuse.

Adams County Probation

Adams County Jail

Adams County Detention Facility

150 N 19th Ave, Brighton, CO 80601

Phone: (303) 654-1850

Adams County, CO Sheriff’s Office

4430 S. Adams County Pkwy.,

1st Floor, Suite W5400

Brighton, CO 80601

Alternative Jail sentences

Alternative jail sentences offer offenders sentences, such as community service, probation, house arrest, work release programs, and weekend jail. These options allow offenders to work during off-peak hours or attend to their families and jobs.

IHD (In Home Detention)

Home monitoring costs vary depending on whether the individual is employed, and the type of monitoring involved. Electronic monitoring systems vary across counties, with basic systems involving wearing an ankle transmitter and plugging a monitoring unit into a power outlet. The anklet transmits a 24-hour radio frequency signal to the monitoring agency, checking for irregularities like tampering, staying out past curfew, and going to prohibited locations. Most Colorado counties use advanced GPS technology to map and send data about the individual’s location 24/7.

Alcohol and drug monitoring is also required for those on house arrest for crimes like DUI or drug-related offenses. The judge may order the wear of a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor (SCRAM) anklet or a drug patch, which are checked and replaced weekly. Violations of home detention rules can result in a revocation of the arrest, including not being at home during required hours, not attending meetings, failing drug tests, breaking curfew, alcohol detection on the continuous alcohol monitoring device, or failure to pay restitution or fines.

Adams County offers home detention, work release, and work crew program. Find more information here: https://adamssheriff.org/jail

WR (Work Release)

The minimum sentence to qualify for work release is five days in jail. The judge must authorize work release before you can move to the next step.

Once the judge authorizes work release, call the Adams County Jail front desk before orientation so they can prepare your paperwork. Plan on attending the orientation two weeks before the SOE date (Stay of Execution; the date you turn yourself in). Orientation is held at the Adams County Jail every Tuesday at 3:00 pm. Adams County does not offer out-of-county placement at the time of writing this article.

You can earn good time on work release depending on the charge. DUI 1st, you can earn good time as soon as you start your jail sentence. DUI 2nd, you must serve ten days of straight time; DUI 3rd, you must serve 60 days of straight time; Felony DUI’s, you must serve 120 days before you can earn good time. It is important to understand the ins and outs of these sentences prior to agreeing to any plea agreement.

If you are interested in participating in one of these programs, it would be best to discuss the opportunity with an attorney to make sure you are not only eligible for the alternative sentencing, but also negotiate such sentencing with the prosecution or prepare an argument for it to the judge. DeChant Law can offer specific information on qualifications and the application process based on the individual circumstances of your case.

The Adams County Detention Facility is located Northwest of the courthouse. Adams County Detention Facility offers work release and In-home detention. If you are attempting to post bond for a loved one, you can go to the jail and the front desk will assist you in doing so. Additional information on posting bond can be found here https://adamssheriff.org/inmate-bond-information

Serving Throughout Adams County

• Brighton
• Thornton
• Westminster
• Northglenn
• Commerce City
• Aurora (partially in Adams County)
• Federal Heights
• Bennett
• Strasburg
• Henderson

How DeChant Law Can Help

DeChant Law brings deep knowledge of Colorado’s criminal justice system and a client-focused approach to every case. Whether you are facing DUI charges, accusations of domestic violence, or allegations of a serious felony, the firm is dedicated to crafting a strong defense tailored to your unique circumstances. DeChant Law can assist you at every stage of the legal process, from initial hearings to trial, working tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Adams County, CO, don’t wait. Contact DeChant Law today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your future.