Boulder Criminal
Defense Attorney

Bruno Lilly LeClere

Facing criminal charges in Boulder or Boulder County, Colorado? With fear of crime rising, prosecutors are seeking harsh sentences and penalties for anyone accused of a felony or misdemeanor offense. Our law firm has the experience you need to hold the prosecutor to their burden of proof and obtain a favorable resolution to your case. We fight diligently for our clients and do all we can to get the best outcome for their cases. Call us today to speak with our Boulder criminal defense attorney in a confidential consultation.

What Cases Does Our Firm Handle in Boulder, CO?

Colorado classifies crimes as misdemeanors or felonies. Although felonies carry stiffer penalties, any conviction for a misdemeanor will create a criminal record and can be difficult to fight on your own.

Our firm has years of combined legal experience handling a variety of criminal cases including the following.

DUI/DWI/DWAI

Drunk driving is a serious offense. You can face charges if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is too high when an officer stops you. Drunk driving charges range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the circumstances.

Driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs also carries a serious risk of jail time, fines, license suspensions, and other penalties. Our DUI defense attorneys help clients facing DUI, DWI, or DWAI charges defend their rights and liberties.

Domestic Violence

Accusations of domestic violence can lead to restraining orders, time in jail, criminal charges, loss of parental privileges, and more. You absolutely need to defend yourself from groundless accusations and we are here to help you. We can represent you in a hearing to dissolve a restraining order or to protest one being entered against you in the first place.

Parole Hearings

We help clients seek early release from prison by representing them at a parole board hearing. Clients benefit from our assistance in compiling helpful information and developing a comprehensive strategy.

Sex Crimes

Sex crimes include rape, date rape, sexual assault, statutory rape, and possession of child pornography. Crimes involving child victims and/or minors are especially heinous and tend to result in the most severe penalties. Prosecutors, their clients, and their clients’ families aggressively pursue the strictest penalties. These crimes can have serious lasting effects on your life and our firm is here to help you defend against those accusations.

Facing sex crime charges in Boulder? Call our firm now at (720) 340-1373.

Drug Offenses

No one should end up in jail for making a simple mistake. Unfortunately, aggressive prosecutors will throw as many drug charges as they can against you, even if it’s for something unintentional. We have experience defending drug possession, drug manufacturing, and distribution/trafficking cases.

What Penalties Could I Be Facing?

In Colorado, crimes are categorized into different levels of severity:

A Deeper Look Into Felony Charges and Penalties

Felony Classes and Penalties

• A Class 1 felony, the most severe, may result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole, and fines are not applicable.
• Class 2 felonies entail prison sentences ranging from 8 to 24 years, fines between $5,000 and $1,000,000, and mandatory parole for 3 years (5 years for crimes of violence).
• Moving down the scale, a Class 3 felony entails 4 to 12 years in prison, fines ranging from $3,000 to $750,000, and a mandatory 3-year parole period.
• Class 4 felonies come with 2 to 6 years in prison, fines between $2,000 and $500,000, and a mandatory 3-year parole.
• Class 5 felonies involve a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years, fines ranging from $1,000 to $100,000, and a 2-year mandatory parole.
• Finally, Class 6 felonies carry a prison term of 1 year to 18 months, fines between $1,000 and $100,000, and a mandatory parole period of 1 year.

Extraordinary Risk Felonies

Colorado designates certain offenses as “extraordinary risk felonies,” and they are categorized into four classes, each carrying specific maximum prison sentences.

A Class 3 extraordinary risk felony may result in a maximum prison sentence of 16 years. Moving down the scale, a Class 4 extraordinary risk felony carries a maximum prison term of 8 years, followed by a Class 5 extraordinary risk felony with a maximum sentence of 4 years.

The least severe in this category is a Class 6 extraordinary risk felony, which comes with a maximum prison sentence of 2 years.

Misdemeanor Penalties, Charges, & More

In Colorado, Class 1 misdemeanors encompass a variety of offenses, and three common examples include theft of property (CRS 18-4-401) with a value ranging from $1,000 to less than $2,000, criminal mischief (CRS 18-4-501) falling within the same value range, and indecent exposure (CRS 18-7-302). These offenses carry penalties of up to 364 days in jail and/or fines up to $1,000, with extraordinary risk Class 1 misdemeanors facing a maximum jail sentence of 18 months.

On the other hand, Class 2 misdemeanors in Colorado involve criminal attempt (CRS 18-2-101) to commit a Class 1 misdemeanor, theft of property (CRS 18-4-401) with a value of at least $300 but less than $1,000, and criminal tampering. Offenders of Class 2 misdemeanors may be subject to up to 120 days in jail and/or fines up to $750.

Understanding the specific offenses categorized within these classes provides clarity on the potential legal consequences individuals may face in Colorado for engaging in unlawful activities. Our Boulder criminal lawyers are here to help clients navigate the complexities of Colorado law. Have questions about accusations brought against you? Call our firm today at (720) 340-1373.

In Colorado, misdemeanors are classified into different categories, each associated with specific punishments.

Why Work With Our Experienced Boulder Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Some defendants wrongly believe that they can sit back and let the criminal process play out, expecting the prosecutor to offer a generous plea deal. Others gratefully accept the services of an overworked public defender.

Anyone facing misdemeanor or felony charges in Boulder County should work with our firm. Below are a few reasons why.

• Investigate the crime to find exculpatory evidence. We never simply rely on the evidence found by the police but look for our own.
• Analyze the charges and possible penalties. You won’t know whether to accept a plea deal until you really understand the strength of the evidence against you and how much time behind bars you are facing.
• Negotiate a plea deal with the prosecutor. We aren’t shy about telling the state how weak their case is and convincing them to reduce the charges.
• Ask the judge to exclude evidence collected in violation of your constitutional rights. The police need probable cause to search you or your possessions. When a judge suppresses physical evidence or confessions, many criminal cases end up falling apart.
• Defend you all the way to a trial. We aren’t afraid to present your case to a judge and jury—and advocate for an acquittal.

We have many successful case outcomes and are confident in our ability to defend our clients’ rights, freedoms, and liberties.

How We Defend Criminal Cases

Each case is unique, with different fact patterns and pieces of evidence. At Bruno Lilly LeClere, we never use “cookie-cutter” defense strategies. Instead, we create a comprehensive defense strategy targeted to the evidence. Some common defenses include:

Mistakes To Avoid in Your Criminal Case

Facing criminal charges is scary. But there are certain mistakes people make which increase the odds of a conviction. We always give the following advice:

1. Never answer the police officer’s questions. If you’re arrested, simply request that a lawyer be made available. Too many people erroneously think they can talk their way out of handcuffs. You have the right to remain silent and to work with an attorney to ensure your rights are protected.
2. Do not consent to a search of your home or property. Police are usually eager to search your home or car, as well as your cell phone. In many cases, you can deny their request to search your home, property, or vehicle.
3. Avoid fleeing the scene or fighting with the arresting officer. You’ll look guilty—and face additional criminal charges. If you are arrested or are confronted by police, be respectful.
4. Never try to defend yourself in a criminal case. It’s wrong to think a judge will take it easy on you if this is your first criminal defense. Criminal charges are taken seriously in our state and we are here to defend you.