You Get an Experienced No Nonsense Criminal Defense Lawyer in Your Corner
Everyone is deserving of an attorney regardless of their resources and it is imperative to have a lawyer who understands and values that fact.
Ashlee specializes in taking on low-level offenses or misdemeanors which manifest a majority of the arrests in Colorado. Misdemeanors are not quite as serious as felony crimes, but they deserve just as much representation as those that are more severe. Ashlee has previously acted as a city attorney practicing criminal law and has participated in hundreds bench trials to a judge as well as jury trials. Ashlee knows what sort of facts and mitigation is needed to get you a desirable outcome. Her incredible collection of experience is here to help you defend your integrity while also being realistic and reliable.
Ashlee also has an abundance of experience in domestic violence cases which may require a civil protection order. When she is not working to fight the system for those who are wrongfully accused, Ashlee helps victims of domestic violence obtain the protection they may need when the criminal justice system fails These cases are some of the most emotionally, physically, and spiritually challenging times in someone's life and are deserving of the most care and compassion. These two qualities are the very least that Ashlee can offer you when pursuing your case. She will fight fiercely to restore and maintain your dignity and sanity in the aftermath.
What Does the Criminal Court Process Look Like?
STEP ONE:
The criminal process begins with an alleged crime and an investigation or arrest of someone for that crime. The local police department in which the crime occurred will investigate the crime and arrest suspects. Arrests will occur with the presence of an arrest warrant, probable cause, or if the crime is committed in front of an officer. Afterward, a bond or bail might be set by a judge. This payment provided by a third party is also an agreement for the arrested person to appear at all future court dates in exchange for being released from custody. Regardless of whether an arrest occurs, a police officer will serve a Summons and Complaint listing the criminal charges, which the officer files directly with the court.
STEP TWO:
If a person is arrested for a misdemeanor or felony, the defendant will appear for Advisement in the County Courtrooms at the City Jail. If there is no arrest and a person receives a misdemeanor Summons and Complaint, the defendant appears in court for the first time for Arraignment. At the Arraignment, the defendant will be informed of what the charges are, what their constitutional rights are, what possible penalties they face if convicted, and the right to apply for a public defender, if eligible. In misdemeanor cases, the defendant may plead guilty or not guilty to which the judge will schedule future court dates.
STEP THREE:
After the charges are filed, the judge and lawyers will participate in a Disposition Hearing where all parties will discuss ways in which the case may be resolved without the need for a trial. Misdemeanor trials will be held at the county court. If the defendant pleads not guilty, and the case is not otherwise resolved by dismissal, guilty plea, or plea bargain, the next step in the process is a jury trial or trial to the court. A defendant has the right to demand a jury trial for misdemeanor and felony crimes.
STEP FOUR :
The trial will be carried out through hearings on motions and can result in conviction from the jury or the judge. If the defendant is found not guilty or acquitted the case is dismissed and the defendant is free. If the defendant is found guilty by plea or by a jury or judge verdict, then they will be convicted of the charges. Following a guilty verdict will come the sentencing, which can come weeks after the trial. Crime victims and their family members may speak at the sentencing hearing. The defendant may address the court and people may speak on his or her behalf. Finally, the judge will hear from the prosecutor and defense attorney and then impose the final sentence.
What Does the Civil Protection Order Process Look Like?
STEP ONE:
A protection order, often referred to as a restraining order, are orders to cease specific acts against everyone targeting the protected party. In some criminal cases a mandatory protection order will be issued to protect the vicitim. However, in cases where there are no charges and protection order, an individual can petition the court for a civil protection order, which if granted and then sequentially violated can carry criminal consequences. These orders can include the following:
1. Stop contacting, harassing, injuring, intimidating, molesting, threatening, touching, stalking, sexually assaulting or abusing any protected person;
2. Stop entering or remaining on premises, or coming within a specified distance of a protected person or premises;
3. Stop taking, transferring, concealing, harming, disposing of, or threatening harm to an animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by a protected person
1. Stop contacting, harassing, injuring, intimidating, molesting, threatening, touching, stalking, sexually assaulting or abusing any protected person;
2. Stop entering or remaining on premises, or coming within a specified distance of a protected person or premises;
3. Stop taking, transferring, concealing, harming, disposing of, or threatening harm to an animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by a protected person
STEP TWO:
The case order can be filed in any county where the incident(s) have occurred, where the protected person resides, and/or where one or both parties are employed. Then the following steps would be followed:
1. Fill out JDF 402 Verified Complaint/Motion for Civil Protection Order.
2. Fill out JDF 442 Information Sheet for Registering a Protection Order.
3. Fill out JDF 404 Affidavit Regarding Children if a child or children are involved.
4. Fill out JDF 401 Incident Checklist, but it is not required.
5. File all documents to the court.
1. Fill out JDF 402 Verified Complaint/Motion for Civil Protection Order.
2. Fill out JDF 442 Information Sheet for Registering a Protection Order.
3. Fill out JDF 404 Affidavit Regarding Children if a child or children are involved.
4. Fill out JDF 401 Incident Checklist, but it is not required.
5. File all documents to the court.
STEP THREE:
If the court grants the requests and accepts the documentation, then the protected person will be granted a Temporary Protection Order. The Temporary Protection Order is only temporary and the protected person must appear at the Permanent Protection Order hearing that will be set by the Court. The result of the Permanent Protection Order hearing will determine if the Temporary Protection Order becomes permanent. Once the protected person receives a Temporary Protection Order, they are required to complete personal service on the restrained person with a copy of the Complaint/Motion, the Temporary Protection Order, and the Affidavit/Certificate of Service before the next hearing date set by the Court.
STEP FOUR :
If the protected person obtains a Temporary Protection Order, they must bring the original Affidavit/Certificate of Service with them and submit it to the Court. To make a temporary protection order permanent, you must go to trial and prove certain elements. This can be very difficult which makes it important to be repreented. If the Permanent Protection Order is granted by the Court, then another personal service must be completed if the restrained person is not present for the Permanent Protection Order hearing. If the protected person does not appear at the Permanent Protection Order hearing or the next hearing date set by the Court, the Temporary Protection Order will automatically expire and render the Temporary Protection Order void.