Criminal charges in Loveland range from minor violations to serious felonies that can change your life. If you’re facing a DUI, drug charge, theft case, or violent crime allegation, a conviction can affect your freedom, job options, and reputation for years to come.
At Colorado Lawyer Team, we understand that behind every case is a real person with a future at stake. We fight hard to protect your rights and achieve the best possible outcome. Our Loveland criminal lawyers have handled hundreds of cases throughout Larimer County and Weld County and know how to build strong defenses for the most challenging situations.
As a woman-owned firm, we take a different approach. You’ll work directly with your attorney and receive the personal attention your case deserves. We have helped many clients through some of the most difficult moments of their lives and given them the resources and legal representation they needed to put this difficult time behind them.
Why Hire Us for Your Criminal Defense in Loveland?
Facing criminal charges in Loveland can be extremely stressful. At Colorado Lawyer Team, we’ve helped many clients through difficult situations like yours. Our woman-led team brings a fresh approach to criminal defense by combining extensive experience with genuine concern for your well-being. Our founder, Justie Nicol, has worked as a Deputy District Attorney and with the ACLU on prisoner rights cases, so we bring insights from all sides of the justice system.
- We Handle All Types of Criminal Cases: We don’t limit ourselves to certain types of cases: we work on everything from traffic tickets to major crimes. If you’ve been charged with criminal mischief, DUI, or even vehicular homicide, we can help.
- Quick Response Times: When you’re worried about criminal charges, waiting for your defense lawyer to call back is the last thing you need. That’s why we make fast communication a priority. You can count on us to answer your questions promptly and keep you informed about your case.
- Team Approach to Criminal Defense: We bring in investigators, social workers, and other professionals when needed. We’ve created networks of professionals who can support you and your family through this tough time. You’ll have a whole team working to protect your future.
- Local Court Experience: Our experienced attorneys have spent countless hours in courtrooms throughout Colorado. We know the local court procedures in Loveland and have worked with many of the prosecutors and judges. This firsthand experience helps us plan a better defense strategy for you.
- Clear Fee Structure: We explain our fees clearly from the start, so you won’t face surprise costs. We offer payment plans to make quality legal defense affordable for you when you need it most.
Our approach looks at your whole situation. As a women-led firm, our attorneys bring empathy, creativity, and persistence to your defense. We consider how your case affects your job, housing, family, and mental health, and make sure you feel supported while your charges are being resolved.
Criminal Cases We Handle in Loveland
At Colorado Lawyer Team, we handle a wide range of criminal cases with the skill and attention they deserve. Our attorneys have worked with clients across the criminal justice system and understand how stressful these situations can be for you and your family. Here’s a look at the types of criminal cases we handle:
Animal Cases
In Colorado, animal cruelty can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. First-time offenses typically result in misdemeanor charges, while “aggravated” animal cruelty (knowingly torturing or needlessly killing an animal) can lead to felony charges. We also handle replevin cases when you need to legally regain possession of your animal from someone who won’t return it. Justie Nicol has been widely recognized as an expert in animal cases throughout Colorado, and has even authored for the Colorado Bar Association and taught for the Department of Agriculture on the topic.
Arson
Arson charges vary by degree, depending on factors like property value and whether people were endangered. Fourth-degree arson (endangering property worth less than $100) is a misdemeanor, while first-degree arson (endangering a building or occupied structure) is a serious felony that can result in years in prison. Either way, having this type of offense on your permanent record can be a serious mark against you.
Assault
Colorado divides assault into three degrees. Third-degree is a misdemeanor, while second and first-degree are felonies carrying significant prison time. The degree depends on your intent, the level of injury, the identity of the alleged victim, and whether a weapon was involved. Even minor altercations can lead to assault charges, making strong legal representation critical if you’re arrested.
Domestic Violence
In Colorado, domestic violence isn’t a separate charge but an “enhancer” added to other charges like assault, harassment, or property damage when the incident involves someone in an intimate relationship. This enhancer, which triggers mandatory arrests and protection orders, can lead to tougher penalties, firearm restrictions, and required participation in treatment programs.
DUI and DWAI
Driving Under the Influence (BAC of 0.08% or higher, or under the influence of drugs) and Driving While Ability Impaired (BAC between 0.05% and 0.08%) carry serious consequences. First-time DUI and DUI-D penalties include potential jail time of 5 to 365 days, fines up to $1,000, and license suspension. DWAI penalties are somewhat lighter but still carry jail time, fines, and points on your license. Repeat offenses bring much harsher penalties, and a fourth offense becomes a felony.
Drug Charges
Colorado drug charges range from misdemeanors to felonies based on the type of drug, amount, and intent (possession vs. distribution). While marijuana is legal in limited amounts for adults, many drug offenses still carry steep penalties. We handle cases involving all types of substances and work to find alternatives to incarceration when possible. We have experience defending all levels of drug cases, up to and including DF1 charges for weapons or death-involved cases.
Felony Defense
Felonies are the most serious crimes in Colorado. They are categorized from Class 1 (most severe) to Class 6, and penalties range from one year to life in prison. Our legal team provides thorough defense for all felony charges, from theft and burglary to violent crimes. Justie Nicol has an undergraduate degree in accounting and our staff brings an undergrad in Economics, meaning we can offer exceptional service to white-collar crimes, too.
Gun Charges and Weapons Charges
Weapons violations include prohibited use of firearms, carrying concealed weapons without proper permits, defacing firearms, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender (POWPO). These charges can be misdemeanors or felonies depending on circumstances and prior record. Federal weapons charges can also apply in certain situations. We work closely with colleagues who are licensed federal firearms dealers to help you keep your gun rights.
Harassment
Harassment in Colorado includes physical contact, obscene language, following someone in public, repeated unwanted communication, and more. It’s typically a misdemeanor but can be elevated to a felony if it involves credible threats or violates protection orders. In addition, harsher penalties are expected if the case involves bias-motivated crimes.
Probation Violation
Violating the terms of your probation can result in jail or prison time that was originally suspended. Common violations include failing drug tests, missing meetings with probation officers, committing new crimes, or not completing required programs. We can help if you’re facing a probation violation hearing.
Prostitution and Solicitation
Prostitution (offering sexual acts for money) and solicitation (paying or offering to pay for sexual acts) are both prosecuted in Colorado. Prostitution is typically a petty offense with penalties including fines up to $5,300 and possible jail time. Related charges like pimping or keeping a place of prostitution carry more severe penalties.
Sex Offenses
Sex offenses include sexual assault, sexual exploitation of children, indecent exposure, and more. These carry some of the harshest penalties in the criminal system, including long prison sentences and sex offender registration potentially for the rest of an alleged offender’s life. Our team provides a careful, discreet, and thorough defense for these sensitive cases.
Stalking
Colorado takes stalking seriously by classifying first offenses as Class 5 felonies. If there’s a protection order in place or if it’s a repeat offense, it becomes a Class 4 felony with penalties of 2-8 years in prison. Stalking includes repeated unwanted contact, following, threatening, or surveillance that causes fear or emotional distress.
Theft
Theft charges depend on the value of stolen property, ranging from petty offenses (under $50) to major felonies (over $100,000). Our team handles all types of theft cases, from shoplifting to identity theft, with strategies focused on reducing charges and minimizing consequences.
No matter what charges you’re facing, our women-led team at Colorado Lawyer Team will fight for you with empathy, creativity, and determination. Contact us today for a consultation about your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Loveland Criminal Lawyer?
When you consider the cost of legal representation, think about what’s really at stake. Your ability to earn a living. Your driving privileges. Your right to vote. Your immigration status. Your reputation in the community. Your freedom. These things are hard to put a price tag on, but their value is clear when they’re at risk.
At Colorado Lawyer Team, we’re transparent about costs. We offer flat fees for many case types and provide payment plans to make legal help affordable. We also create clear fee agreements so you won’t face surprises. The right lawyer won’t be the cheapest option, but handling charges properly the first time often saves money and heartache down the road.
Several factors influence the cost of criminal defense:
- Case Complexity: A simple misdemeanor typically costs less to defend than a serious felony. More serious charges generally require more court appearances, more investigation time, more legal research, and more preparation.
- Case Resolution: Cases that resolve through early negotiations often cost less than those that go to trial. However, we never push clients toward plea deals just to avoid trial. Sometimes going to trial is the right choice, and we’re fully prepared to do so when it serves your best interests. The choice whether to go to trial or not is always yours and yours alone.
- Additional Services Needed: Some cases require help from outside professionals. You might need private investigators to find witnesses or evidence. You might need expert witnesses to explain technical aspects. Some cases benefit from forensic analysts to review evidence. Certain situations call for mental health evaluations or substance abuse assessments. When these services are needed, we’ll explain why they’re important and how they fit into your overall defense strategy. We prep you for these evaluations and thoroughly vet all experts who work on a case with us.
Many people make the mistake of trying to save money by hiring the cheapest criminal defense attorney they can find, representing themselves, or pleading guilty just to “get it over with.” These choices often lead to worse outcomes, including harsher sentences, higher fines, and permanent criminal records that could have been avoided.
At Colorado Lawyer Team, we work hard to provide excellent value. This means we won’t waste your money on unnecessary motions or appearances. We look for efficient solutions that protect your rights while staying honest about your options and potential outcomes. We help you weigh the financial and personal costs of different strategies, and respect your budget while providing the best defense possible.
What to Do if You’re Arrested
Being arrested is upsetting, but it’s important to control your emotions and think clearly. Here’s what you should do if you’re arrested in Loveland or anywhere in Colorado:
- Stay Calm: Your behavior during an arrest matters. Stay calm and don’t resist, even if you believe the arrest is wrong. In Colorado, resisting arrest can lead to additional charges, making your situation worse. Keep your hands visible and follow basic instructions.
- Use Your Right to Remain Silent: You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Tell the officer clearly: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.” Don’t try to explain your side of the story or talk your way out of the situation. Even casual comments can be used against you later.
- Ask for a Criminal Defense Lawyer: Say clearly: “I want to speak with an attorney.” After you request an attorney, the police should stop questioning you. Don’t answer any questions without your lawyer present, no matter how harmless they might seem.
- Don’t Consent to Searches: If officers ask to search you, your car, or your property, say calmly: “I don’t consent to any searches.” They may search anyway if they have legal grounds, but your statement preserves your right to challenge the search later.
- Make Your Phone Call: Use your phone call wisely. Call a bondsman, a trusted family member, or a friend who can help arrange for your defense. Give basic information about your location and situation, but don’t make these third parties a witness against you. We will regularly schedule consultations with family or friends, but we always require the client to be present during the consult without other attendees. The only exceptions are if someone is incompetent, under 18, or incarcerated (although even in this last situation, we’ll still visit with you using the jail system).
- Don’t Discuss Your Case: Don’t talk about your case with anyone other than your lawyer. Phone calls from jail are typically recorded, and other inmates aren’t your friends. Anything you say can–and often does–find its way to prosecutors.
Remember, an arrest is not a conviction. Many cases are dismissed or reduced with proper legal representation. As your attorneys, we’ll help you through each step of the legal system, working to achieve the most favorable outcome for your case.
Speak to a Loveland Criminal Lawyer Today
If you’re facing criminal charges in Loveland or anywhere in Larimer County or Weld County, time matters. Many people make the mistake of waiting too long to get legal advice, thinking they can handle things on their own or hoping the situation will resolve itself.
The truth is that what happens in the first hours and days after an arrest or citation often shapes the entire case. Police and prosecutors start building their case immediately. Shouldn’t you have someone building your defense just as quickly?
When you reach out to Colorado Lawyer Team, we’ll set up a free, confidential case review right away. We serve clients throughout Loveland, Fort Collins, and all of Larimer County and Weld County, and our team is ready to fight for you. For more information, call (970) 344-9401 or contact us online today.