Many people do not know what to do when they are facing criminal charges. They may be unaware of their rights and how to defend themselves against the accusations. Fortunately, a Westminster criminal lawyer is here to help.

Every criminal case is different, so it is best to seek help from an experienced and knowledgeable criminal lawyer at Colorado Lawyer Team, who can thoroughly assess your case and explain how the law applies to your situation. With the help of Justie and the group of experienced legal professionals at Colorado Lawyer Team, you can fight the charges and possibly avoid the consequences of a conviction.

Criminal Offenses in Westminster

State law establishes a variety of criminal offenses, but most fall into one these categories. Some of the major classifications of criminal offenses include:

Most people expect that a criminal conviction will lead to standard penalties, including fines, probation, incarceration, community service hours, and substance abuse education or counseling. Some of the other potential ramifications of these crimes, however, are less well-known. These penalties may include the loss of some civil rights, such as the right to possess firearms, and disqualification from some certain careers.

Alcohol and Drug Crimes

Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and driving while ability impaired (DWAI) are common crimes that can lead to fines, probation, license suspension, increased insurance premiums, and incarceration. Other alcohol-related offenses may involve minors in possession of alcohol, selling or giving alcohol to minors, and vehicular assault. As individuals accrue subsequent convictions, they often face increasingly harsher penalties.

Drug Offenses

State law follows the federal classification system of dividing controlled substances and narcotics into different schedules based on the level of the risk that they pose to society, their addictiveness, and any accepted medicinal uses. These schedules, the amount of the drugs involved, and the type of criminal activities largely dictate the severity of the charges and penalties. Drug offenses may include the possession, manufacture, and distribution of controlled substances, and even first offenses can result in lengthy prison terms in some cases.

Crimes that Harm Others

Many criminal offenses that involve harm to others carry the potential for severe penalties under state law. Crimes like assault, domestic violence, rape and other sex crimes, and homicide all can result in the most severe sanctions under the law. The extent of the harm suffered by others is a factor that impacts the resulting criminal charges and penalties.

Likewise, whether individuals use dangerous or deadly weapons to inflict harm on others is another relevant factor in determining criminal charges. Even attempts or intentions to cause bodily injury to others can result in some types of criminal charges against the person. Aside from the criminal penalties of incarceration, fines, probation, and community service, individuals also may be subject to protective orders that limit contact between them and the alleged victims, even for family members.

Property Crimes

Theft, shoplifting, burglary, and robbery all involve the theft of property from others. These crimes often differ in severity based on the value of the stolen property and various other circumstances that led to the crime.

Some property crimes are purely financial, which many people refer to as white-collar crimes. These crimes may include various types of fraud and embezzlement. A knowledgeable criminal attorney in Westminster may be able to explain the full extent of the penalties that individuals may receive if convicted of some crimes.

A Westminster Criminal Attorney May Be Able to Help

Regardless of the circumstances that led to your criminal charges, you should reach out to a Westminster criminal lawyer for help. The attorneys at Colorado Lawyer Team could review your case and help you build a defense. You do not have to take on your case alone. We know what it takes to help you fight the charges. Call today to learn about how we can help your case.