Breckenridge Criminal Defense Lawyer

A night out on Main Street, a drive back from Breckenridge Ski Resort, a stop on I-70 or Highway 9, and suddenly you are being read your rights instead of heading home. Whether you live in Summit County or were just visiting for the weekend, a criminal charge here can turn your trip, your job, and your future upside down fast.

The Breckenridge court system moves on its own schedule. If you do not know how it works, you can lose ground before you even understand what is happening. You do not need to know Colorado criminal law. You need someone who already does. That is where we come in.

A Breckenridge criminal defense lawyer can work to protect your future. Based in Denver, Susan Deschler has represented clients through Summit County’s courts for years. She knows the Breckenridge Municipal Court, the Summit County Justice Center, and many of the judges and prosecutors who work there. She also understands the criminal defense strategies to prevent serious consequences.

3 Immediate Steps If You Are Accused of a Criminal Offense in Breckenridge

Take these three steps right away to protect your rights after an arrest in Breckenridge.

Stay silent with the police. Say only your name and ask for a lawyer before answering any other questions.
Avoid discussing the case. Do not talk about what happened with friends, family, or on social media.
Contact a defense lawyer immediately. Early legal guidance can shape every decision that follows, including bail and your first court appearance.

Acting fast on these steps can protect both your rights and your case from the start.

What Types of Criminal Cases Do I Handle?

My office handles most types of criminal cases in Breckenridge. Typically, people contact us for help with:

DUI and DWAI charges,
Drug-related charges,
Assault and disorderly conduct,
Theft and property crimes, and
Traffic and moving violations.

How Does a Breckenridge Criminal Defense Lawyer Help?

Trying to handle a criminal case on your own, with no previous criminal defense experience, is a gamble for your future. Fines and jail time are the immediate risks, but the long-term effects of a criminal record can last long after you serve the sentence.

A Breckenridge criminal defense attorney can help prevent that. First, your attorney will listen to what happened and explain your options during your case evaluation. During the criminal process, they work to protect your rights and provide:

Pre-charge legal advice. An attorney can talk to the police to prevent you from saying or doing anything that makes your situation worse.
Help with your release. If the police do not release you, they may hold you at Summit County Jail until your first court appearance. Your attorney can represent you at this hearing and make a case for your release.
Representation in court. Your attorney will attend all court appearances and speak on your behalf at hearings.
Negotiation for a pre-trial resolution. Depending on the charges, your attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to help prevent a criminal record, reduce the charge, or lessen the consequences in other ways, while also avoiding a trial.
Representation at trial (if necessary). Your attorney can present evidence to a judge or jury, cross-examine witnesses, and prepare you for your most important court appearance.

In reality, few cases in Breckenridge go to trial. In the 5th Judicial District, which includes Summit County, less than 2% of cases filed go to trial. Negotiations between the prosecutor and criminal defense lawyers beforehand often resolve matters.

I guide you through the court process, explaining every step. I can gather evidence and explore defenses to build the strongest possible case.

Penalties for Misdemeanor vs. Felony Cases

Whether your case proceeds as a misdemeanor or felony, you could face:

Jail time and fines,
Driver’s license suspension or revocation, and
A permanent criminal record.

Long-term, a criminal record can affect employment, insurance, professional licenses, education, and immigration status for non-US citizens.

Misdemeanor offenses in Colorado are the least serious. Examples include:

Harassment;
Most first, second, or third DUIs;
Criminal mischief involving low-value property damage;
Third-degree assault; and
Violating a protection order.

Under Colorado law, if you plead guilty or a judge or jury finds you guilty of a misdemeanor, you could face:

Confinement in county jail,
Fines, and/or
Probation.

Felony offenses are the most serious in Colorado. Examples include:

First-degree murder,
Aggravated robbery,
A fourth or subsequent DUI,
Sexual assault, and
Large-scale drug distribution.

A conviction for these offenses typically results in:

Many years to life in prison, depending on the felony class;
Significant fines;
Loss of voting rights during incarceration; and
Loss of gun rights.

What Defenses Are Available in Your Case?

Experienced criminal defense lawyers base their defense strategy on what turns up during discovery, the process where the prosecution shares the evidence it plans to use against the accused.

Once we review the full scope of the evidence and discuss the details with you, we will begin work on your defense. Arguments are entirely case-dependent, but they often include the following:

Mistaken identity. The evidence points to the wrong person.
Lack of intent. The accused did not have the mental state the charge requires.
Constitutional rights violations. The police violated the accused’s protections during the arrest or interrogation (including unlawful search and seizure).
Unreliable evidence (in DUI cases). The test used was flawed or administered incorrectly.
Insufficient evidence. The prosecution cannot prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Alibi. The accused was elsewhere when the offense happened.
Self-defense. The accused acted to protect themselves or someone else from harm.

Building the right defense means matching the argument to the specific facts of your case, not taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

FAQs

What Happens at My First Court Appearance in Breckenridge?

At your first appearance, a judge reads the charges, may set bail or release conditions, and may set a bond and protection order. We can help you understand what to expect beforehand and stand by your side during the hearing so you are not facing the judge alone.

Do I Need to Appear in Person, or Can My Lawyer Appear for Me?

In criminal cases, you must appear, or a warrant for your arrest can be issued. With court approval, you may appear by video at some hearings, saving you a trip back to Breckenridge. Others, like certain arraignments, you must attend in person. We can tell you exactly which hearings need your presence.

How Is a DUI Case in Summit County Different from Denver?

Summit County courts have fewer judges and move on a different schedule than Denver’s. Enforcement along I-70 is aggressive, especially during ski season, and local judges handle a high volume of DUI cases involving visitors. We know how these courts operate.

What If I Am Arrested While Visiting for Vacation?

You do not have to live in Colorado to hire our firm. We represent visitors arrested in Breckenridge and can often get permission for you to appeal by video, so you do not need to keep returning from out of state while your case moves forward.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Defense Lawyer?

We work on a flat-fee arrangement that we discuss upfront, based on the complexity of your charge. During our first conversation, you can learn where you stand before deciding how to move forward. Payment plans are available at no additional cost.

Experienced Criminal Defense Help in Breckenridge

If a police report is being written, evidence is being logged, or a prosecutor somewhere is deciding how hard to pursue your case, this process does not stop while you figure out what to do next.

You can wait and hope it works out, or start protecting your future immediately by hiring Susan Deschler as your criminal defense lawyer in Breckenridge, CO. Susan has practiced law for 25 years and has handled criminal law matters since 2003. Call today or reach out online for a no-pressure consultation.

Legal References Used to Inform This Page

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