Highly-Skilled Dillon Criminal Defense Lawyer Ready To Fight For You
Whether you are facing felony or misdemeanor charges, a criminal conviction can change your life in more ways than most people realize. To give yourself the best chance of staying out of jail and preserving your future when facing a criminal charge in the greater Breckenridge area, you need an experienced Breckenridge criminal defense lawyer on your side.
When facing criminal charges, you need to take your situation extremely seriously. A conviction could mean jail time, large fines, and a strike on your criminal record that makes it harder for you to find a job, find housing, and get into school. You need to be proactive about protecting yourself, and that starts with hiring an experienced legal practitioner.
Qualified, experienced, and compassionate Breckenridge criminal defense attorneys can be hard to come by. But that is precisely what you will get when you hire the law offices of Mark S. Rubinstein. Want to know more about why we are the best Breckenridge criminal attorneys for the job? Give our office a call today to discuss your case and see what we can do for you.
About Criminal Defense Attorney Mark S. Rubinstein
When confronted with a criminal charge in the Breckenridge/Dillon area, it is important to have the best defense possible to protect your rights and liberties. But where do you begin?
You might decide to start off with an internet search for “best Breckenridge criminal defense lawyers” or simply “Breckenridge criminal lawyers near me.”
This can give you a good starting point, but don’t end your inquiry there. Facing a criminal charge can feel overwhelming and time-sensitive. But you should still take some time to do a thorough search of various Breckenridge criminal defense attorneys in the area to give yourself your best chance of success moving forward.
When looking for one or more Breckenridge criminal attorneys to represent you, factors to consider include:
- Number of years of experience representing clients in criminal matters generally;
- Specific experience handling your particular type of criminal charge, whether that be drug, theft, or violent crimes;
- Experience taking cases all the way to trial; and
- A record of success and ability to achieve results for former clients.
Choosing an attorney is not a decision that should be made lightly. Here are some reasons why the law offices of Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C., are the best Breckenridge criminal defense lawyers for the job.
I have 25 years of experience representing criminal defendants in the Breckenridge/Dillon area, Summit County, and throughout Colorado. As a criminal defense attorney, I regularly appear on behalf of my clients in the Summit County Criminal Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and I have extensive experience negotiating with the local prosecutors to secure favorable plea deals on behalf of my clients. When I take a case, I have one goal: To secure the best possible outcome, which ideally means having your charges dropped prior to trial.
Of course, in some cases, a certain amount of punishment is unavoidable. If you committed a crime, there is evidence, and the police did everything by the book, it may not be realistic to expect to walk away completely clean. Nevertheless, this does not mean by any means that there is nothing you can do. You are still entitled to a legal defense, and having an experienced Breckenridge criminal lawyer’s assistance can still be a great benefit. In these scenarios, I focus on using my legal abilities, my local knowledge, and my negotiation and trial skills to minimize the consequences of my clients’ arrests to the greatest extent possible.
Aggressive Representation for Serious Charges in Summit County, CO
From traffic offenses to serious violent felonies, I represent clients facing all types of criminal charges in Breckenridge, Dillon, and all of Summit County, Colorado. This includes both state and federal charges. Below are some examples of criminal charges that we frequently defend at the law offices of Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C.
Alcohol and Drug-Related Driving Offenses
Alcohol and drug-related driving offenses include:
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI),
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID),
- Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), and
- Driving While Intoxicated (DWI).
Alcohol and drug-related driving offenses can result in significant penalties, including fines and even jail time. However, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you fight to have your penalties reduced and, in some cases, get your charges dropped.
Drug Crimes
Although Colorado was one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012, there are still laws governing who can buy marijuana and how much they can buy at a time. In addition, Colorado drug laws as they apply to other narcotics are extremely harsh. Typically, the potential penalties someone faces in a Breckenridge drug case depend on several factors, including:
- The type of drug;
- The quantity of drugs;
- Whether the drugs were for personal use;
- A person’s criminal record; and
- Whether a person is on probation or parole.
Drug possession charges are the least serious type of drug crime. However, a conviction can still have a major impact on your life. If you are convicted for drug possession, the severity of the punishment will depend, in part, on the type of substance you possessed. For example, possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia is less serious than possession of cocaine or heroin. A drug possession conviction for these narcotics carries the possibility of jail time. But regardless of the type of drug possession charge you face, it is important to take the case seriously.
Drug distribution and drug trafficking involve the sale or transportation of drugs. While, in some cases, the government may have evidence suggesting you sold narcotics, this evidence isn’t required to obtain a conviction. The government can argue that, given the surrounding circumstances, you possessed a drug with the intent to distribute—for example, if you were not observed selling drugs but had a large quantity of drugs, a scale, and a bunch of small, unused baggies. In the most serious cases, a Colorado Level 1 drug felony carries a term of imprisonment of up to 32 years in jail and a fine of up to $1 million.
Often, these cases come down to whether the arresting police officer conducted their investigation properly. You have constitutional rights that police officers must respect. If an officer arrested you for drug possession, drug trafficking or drug distribution, but violated your rights, any evidence they obtained may be suppressed by the judge.
Another defense to Breckenridge drug charges involves arguing that you did not legally “possess” the substance in question. For example, if police arrested you for drug possession after finding narcotics in a car that was occupied by several other people, the government must prove that you possessed the drugs beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you face Breckenridge drug charges, you should take the case seriously, as your freedom may be on the line. As an experienced Breckenridge drug defense lawyer, I handle drug crime cases involving marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, prescription medications, and other controlled substances. I also have extensive experience litigating to keep evidence out of trial through motions to suppress. Regardless of whether you have a previous conviction for drug possession or it’s your first arrest, I can help defend your future and freedom from the charges you face.
Domestic Violence Offenses
In Colorado, a domestic violence crime is one committed against someone with whom the defendant has or had an intimate relationship. Thus, domestic violence cases involve disputes between current and former spouses, as well as parents who share a child. Under Colorado law, if a crime constitutes domestic violence, the defendant is subject to a sentencing enhancement. In addition, a defendant convicted of a Breckenridge domestic violence crime may need to receive a treatment evaluation and complete a domestic violence treatment program.
Breckenridge domestic violence charges are some of the most difficult to defend against. Not because the laws are complex—although they are—but because these cases tend to be emotional. At the same time, the prosecution often has very little evidence that a crime was committed other than the alleged victim’s word. However, do not assume that this means the prosecution will not be able to put up a strong case; countless people are convicted of Breckenridge domestic violence crimes based only on one person’s story.
Breckenridge domestic violence cases require a nuanced approach. No two cases are the same, and every case needs an individualized strategy. At my law firm, I routinely handle domestic violence cases and have developed a tried-and-true approach to creating a compelling defense, even in the most serious cases.
Theft Crimes
The following crimes are all classified as theft crimes.
Shoplifting
Shoplifting is a type of theft. If the police arrest you for shoplifting, you are facing an uphill battle if you intend to represent yourself. The assistance of a Breckenridge criminal defense attorney (or a Dillon criminal defense lawyer, depending on your residence) is critical.
One of the reasons that a shoplifting charge can be difficult to beat is the discretion that store personnel enjoy. A police officer needs “probable cause” to arrest you, while store security needs only “reasonable suspicion” to detain you. Be careful not to answer any questions until your lawyer arrives!
Robbery
A robbery charge is typically much more serious than an ordinary theft charge. After all, robbery involves the use or threat of force. Normally, it is considered a Class 4 felony. Stealing someone’s car by hotwiring their ignition is serious enough, but carjacking someone by brandishing a weapon is considered to be far more serious.
Do not neglect to retain an experienced Breckenridge criminal defense attorney (or Dillon criminal defense attorney, depending on where you live). In extreme cases, it could make the difference between languishing in prison or walking free. In other cases it might make the difference between a generous plea deal and conviction for a crime you didn’t even commit.
Larceny
Larceny is essentially a form of theft that does not involve the use of force or the threat of force. Pickpocketing, for example, is a form of larceny, as is embezzlement from an employer and most forms of shoplifting.
Violent Crimes
We provide assistance with all types of violent crimes, such as assault and battery.
Colorado law recognizes three degrees of assault:
- First-degree assault, which generally involves serious bodily injury and the use of a weapon.
- Second-degree assault, which generally involves bodily injury but not necessarily the use of a weapon. A bar fight is a typical example.
- Third-degree assault, which almost always involves the infliction of pain (although not necessarily injury) on another person.
A battery, on the other hand, occurs when one person intentionally places another person in reasonable fear of serious bodily injury (even if the victim does not suffer an actual injury).
Other violent crimes we handle include:
- Domestic Violence,
- Manslaughter, and
- Murder.
If you have been charged with one or more violent crimes, don’t wait. Contact a Breckenridge criminal defense lawyer as soon as practicable to get started on your defense.
White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are a class of non-violent crimes that generally involve the use of deceit, and sometimes sophisticated technological means, to steal money or assets. Examples of white-collar crimes include,
- Computer Crimes,
- Embezzlement,
- Fraud, and
- Identity Theft.
There is no ironclad definition of “white-collar crime,” and cases can get extremely complex. Contact us immediately if you have been accused of such a crime. I can help you develop and identify the best defenses to your charges, such as lack of intent, entrapment, and mistaken identity.
You might have other defenses too. As an experienced Breckenridge criminal defense lawyer, I know that greed is a strong motivator in white-collar crimes. And even though the prosecution has no obligation to prove motive, the lack of a motive can be a strong defense.
After nearly 25 years of real-world experience as a Dillon white-collar crimes lawyer, I understand how to exploit weaknesses in the government’s case—like lack of motive—to give my clients the best defense possible. Contact my office right away if you think that law enforcement suspects you of committing a white-collar crime. You stand a better chance of developing a strong defense if you seek help right away.
Stalking and Menacing
Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges take stalking and menacing crimes very seriously. If you are charged with stalking, you might feel like the deck is stacked against you. That’s why you need a skilled Breckenridge menacing and stalking defense attorney to level the playing field for you and protect your rights.
Under Colorado law, stalking can be either a Class 4 or 5 felony, depending on the circumstances of your case. The court will consider your first stalking offense to be a Class 5 felony, which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison. However, the severity level increases to a Class 4 felony if you have a prior offense or had a protective order against you when the crime occurred. A Class 4 felony carries between two and eight years in prison. Contacting a Dillon menacing and stalking defense lawyer right away can help you avoid the most severe consequences.
Menacing is also a serious offense under Colorado law, and is a Class 3 misdemeanor in most instances. However, menacing becomes a Class 5 felony when someone uses or threatens to use a deadly weapon while making the threat to harm another.
The stakes are high. That’s why you need a Dillon criminal defense attorney with extensive skills accompanied by a track record of success to help give you the best opportunity to regain your freedom.
Trespassing
Trespassing is an intrusion into another person’s property. While it might not seem like a serious offense, a conviction for trespassing can negatively impact your life.
For now, first-degree criminal trespass is a Class 5 felony. However, the law will change in March of 2022 when first-degree trespass gets reclassified as a Class 1 misdemeanor. Furthermore, if the State charges you for trespassing in an occupied building, that is a Class 6 felony. Contact a Dillon trespassing defense lawyer to best protect your rights in the face of a trespassing charge.
Traffic Offenses
In addition to helping those facing more serious charges, I can assist with both major and minor traffic offenses including:
- Careless Driving,
- Driving Under Suspension,
- Driving Under Revocation,
- Eluding a Police Officer,
- Failing to Report an Accident,
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident,
- Reckless Driving,
- Speeding, and
- Other Traffic Offenses.
I regularly represent clients in state district, county, and municipal court matters in the Breckenridge, Dillon, and Summit County areas as well.
Put Experience and Commitment On Your Side
Some experienced attorneys are happy to rest on their laurels, continuing to do what they have done for decades. While this can work in some cases, the police are constantly adopting new technologies, and prosecutors are consistently researching, learning, and developing new strategies for putting criminal defendants behind bars. As a result, I believe that the best way to build the strongest possible defense is to continue to push the envelope.
At the law offices of Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C., not only do I offer over 25 years of experience, but I continue to strive to find new ways to help my clients. You expect your lawyer to do what it takes to win, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that I have done everything possible to provide you with excellent legal representation.
So, why should you choose Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C.? I believe the answer is clear:
- Experience – Over 25 years of experience in Colorado criminal defense.
- Commitment – Unrelenting pursuit of the best possible results.
- Accessibility – You can call me 24/7. If you want to contact me, I want to hear from you.
- Compassion – I care about the outcome of your case, and it shows in my representation.
- Results – I have a proven track record of securing favorable results for my clients.
Still not sure that we’re the best Breckenridge criminal defense lawyers for the job? Give us a call today to discuss your concerns and see how the law offices of Mark S. Rubinstein, P.C., can help you.
Get Started on Your Defense with a Free, Confidential Consultation
Searching for one or more Breckenridge criminal defense attorneys to represent you in your legal matter can feel daunting. Nevertheless, having one in your corner can be the best way to protect and defend your rights moving forward.
At the law offices of Mark S. Rubinstein, we hope to earn your trust. With decades of experience successfully representing clients in the most difficult times of their lives, I believe that I am one of the best Breckenridge criminal lawyers in the area.
For more information about how I can help you, I invite you to schedule a free consultation. I have an office in Dillon, but I will also travel to you. To learn what defenses you may have available, call or send me a message online today.
Our Summit County Office in Breckenridge/Dillon, Colorado
Dillon, CO 80435
Phone: 970-453-3068
Fax: 970-680-7139