Colorado Felony Attorney

Home / Practice Areas / Colorado Felony Attorney

Some choices stick with you. Others are made for you in a split-second—in a dark alley or a misunderstanding that spirals out of control. If you face felony charges in Colorado, you already know the stakes. Your reputation, job, and freedom may all hinge on how you respond. And that response starts with a single, crucial decision: hiring the right Colorado felony attorney.

You get more than a lawyer at The Law Offices of Susan Deschler. You get a former Colorado district attorney with over 24 years of courtroom insight. You get direct, one-to-one counsel from someone who knows how prosecutors think and how to dismantle their cases before reaching a jury. And you get someone who understands that the people who walk through our door are more than case numbers. They are human beings who deserve compassion, strategy, and a shot at redemption.

Why Do I Need a Colorado Felony Attorney ASAP?

Time is everything in a felony case. Parties gather evidence quickly. Witnesses make statements. Prosecutors build their narrative and rarely wait for your side of the story. Without a strong legal advocate, your version of events may never see daylight.

Hiring a seasoned attorney early in the process can:

  • Prevent damaging statements from being made during police interviews;
  • Uncover weaknesses in the state’s evidence through early discovery;
  • Begin negotiations with the district attorney before formal charges are filed; and
  • Help secure alternatives to traditional prosecution, such as diversion programs.

Felony charges are not just about guilt or innocence. They are about strategy, leverage, and timing. We know how to navigate that terrain at The Law Offices of Susan Deschler because we have worked on both sides.

What Does a Colorado Felony Lawyer Do?

Felony charges can arise from a wide range of allegations, including:

  • Burglary—entering a building with the intent to commit a crime, even if nothing was taken;
  • Drug trafficking—possessing, selling, or distributing controlled substances such as fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine;
  • Violent crimes—assault, robbery, kidnapping, or murder, each carrying severe penalties under Colorado law;
  • White-collar crimes—fraud, embezzlement, and insider trading, which can lead to prison time and significant financial penalties;
  • Sex offenses—rape, sexual assault, or unlawful sexual contact, which often carry mandatory registration and lifelong stigma;
  • Weapons charges—unlawful possession of a firearm or using a weapon during the commission of another crime; and
  • Vehicular crimes—hit-and-run accidents, vehicular manslaughter, or DUI resulting in serious injury or death.

Each of these charges can result in years or decades of prison time.

A knowledgeable Colorado felony lawyer will:

  • Review police reports, lab results, and witness statements for inconsistencies;
  • Investigate whether law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the arrest;
  • Challenge unlawfully obtained evidence through pretrial motions;
  • Consult with forensic experts and private investigators to strengthen your position;
  • Represent you during bond hearings to argue for release or reduced bail;
  • File motions to suppress illegally obtained statements or evidence;
  • Cross-examine prosecution witnesses with precision and control; and
  • Prepare persuasive arguments for sentencing mitigation if a plea or conviction occurs.

Criminal defense is not paint-by-numbers law. It is precision work, requiring a defense lawyer who understands how prosecutors operate and how to manipulate the fine print. We will fight tirelessly for a just resolution.

What Are Colorado Felony Classes and Sentencing Guidelines?

Colorado law divides felonies into six classes:

  • Class One felonies (e.g., first-degree murder)—life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty;
  • Class Two felonies (e.g., drug trafficking, kidnapping)—8 to 24 years in prison;
  • Class Three felonies (e.g., assault, arson)—4 to 12 years in prison;
  • Class Four felonies (e.g., theft over $20,000, vehicular assault)—two to six years in prison;
  • Class Five felonies (e.g., identity theft, menacing)—one to three years in prison; and
  • Class Six felonies (e.g., criminal impersonation, negligent homicide)—12 to 18 months in prison.

Keep in mind that sentencing is not just about numbers. Aggravating factors, like prior convictions or the use of a deadly weapon, can push the penalty higher. Mitigating circumstances, such as remorse, cooperation, or lack of criminal history, can bring it down. An experienced attorney can help push those levers in your favor.

How Does a Colorado Felony Defense Attorney Help Reduce or Dismiss Charges?

Most felony cases never reach trial, and that is often a good thing. With the right legal pressure, many prosecutors will negotiate a plea to a lesser charge or dismiss the case entirely.

Colorado felony defense attorney Susan Deschler has the rare advantage of having worked as a district attorney. She knows how to make a prosecutor reconsider a case by:

  • Highlighting evidentiary flaws that weaken the prosecution’s chances at trial;
  • Presenting compelling personal narratives to humanize her clients;
  • Suggesting sentencing alternatives like probation, treatment programs, or community service; and
  • Negotiating from a position of confidence, not desperation.

Her approach is personal, strategic, and deeply committed to protecting your future.

Facing Felony Charges? Here Is What to Do Next

If you have been arrested, charged, or even contacted by law enforcement about a felony offense, make sure you take the following steps:

  • Remain silent as you have the right not to speak;
  • Decline consent to search your property or devices unless there is a warrant;
  • Contact a skilled felony attorney immediately; and
  • Document everything you remember, including the names of officers, times, and any witnesses.

Do not delay. Every hour counts.

The Law Offices of Susan Deschler Will Fight for You

At The Law Offices of Susan Deschler, you get:

  • Over two decades of experience defending criminal cases,
  • A 10.0 AVVO rating and multiple Top 10 Criminal Attorney awards,
  • Personalized legal counsel that meets you where you are,
  • The sharp insights of a former prosecutor who has seen every trick in the book, and
  • Commitment to exploring all your legal options, not just the obvious ones.

Whether you are up against a serious drug offense or a violent crime charge, your defense deserves thought, skill, and fierce advocacy. You do not have to face this alone. Schedule your free initial consultation today with a trusted defense attorney who treats your case like it is the only one that matters. Contact The Law Offices of Susan Deschler today, and let’s get to work.