Juvenile Convictions Can Change a Life

No parent wants to think that their child is capable of committing a crime, much less a serious crime. The fact of the matter, though, is that everyone can make mistakes, children included. Juvenile cases are among some of the most emotional, because the client is always both the child and parent rather than just the child alone, so it’s important to have an attorney who you trust.

The criminal justice system is flawed, and it’s been proven that many who go to jail (or in this case, juvenile detention) end up committing more crimes in their lifetime. So a juvenile conviction can cast a very long shadow on a child’s life, and it can end up setting a path for them that may end in real jail time when they become an adult.

That’s why it’s so important to fight juvenile charges, even if you think it doesn’t matter because juvenile records get sealed when a child comes of age. What doesn’t get sealed are childhood experiences and memories: those will be with your child for the rest of their life.

The juvenile justice system often does children a disservice, so it’s very important that parents take every care to avoid getting a conviction for their child. Couple that with the emotional turmoil between parent and child, and you have a very highly-charged emotional situation.

Find a defense attorney who can help defuse that difficult situation and restore hope and health to your family.

Traffic Offenses More Serious Than Most Think

Most people are lucky if they only get one traffic citation in their life. Speeding, moving violations, failure to obey a stop sign, and the list goes on. No matter how vigilant a driver we are, everyone makes mistakes from time to time, and the odds are good that there will eventually be a police officer there looking to meet their quota when one of those mistakes happens.

But for some of us, traffic citations are more than just an every-now-and-then affair. Some people drive more recklessly than they should, and others are just unlucky.

Those citations, while individually they may not be very serious, can quickly add up to make life very difficult for you.

Every citation comes with at least a fine, but then beyond that fine, you’re likely looking at increased insurance rates, as well. If your offense is serious, you could be looking at educational classes, community service, license suspension, or even jail time.

That’s why it’s important to fight every citation in court, because the more citations you’re charged with, the worse the sentencing is going to be.

If you fight each citation as it happens, it makes it that much easier for you the next time you get charged with a traffic offense. If you ignore the citations until the potential sentence becomes serious, there’s only so much that even a talented lawyer can do for you.

Don’t wait to contact a skilled defense attorney, or it may be too late!

Felonies Are Even More Serious

Felonies, as opposed to misdemeanors, are in no danger of being laughed off. Everyone understands that a felony is serious business, and that’s been reinforced by film and television. If you get charged with a felony, you’ll be facing a minimum of one year in prison. No fines, no community service, you go directly to jail.

While a misdemeanor can potentially change your life, a felony absolutely will, with no question.

If you’re being charged with a felony, you should already know that you need a good defense attorney. But how do you decide which defense attorney to choose? All of them take felonies seriously, because they know what the punishment will be.

What you need is a defense attorney who is dedicated to being available whenever you need them, at any hour of the day, and someone who will give you the personalized attention that your unique case deserves. You need an attorney who understands that no two cases are the same, and that you’re a customer, not a criminal.

It also doesn’t hurt to find an attorney who’s so confident in their services that they’re willing to offer a free consultation so that you can see exactly how they operate.

Of course we’re talking about us, here at Ellman & Ellman, where we offer all of those things. We understand, though, that you may want to explore other options, but if you have a free consultation, we’re confident that you’ll choose us to defend you in the legal system!

Misdemeanors Are Serious!

Many people look at misdemeanors as “˜minor’ crimes that only come with a “˜slap on the wrist’ punishment. Especially given how severe the crimes are in most television shows and movies, it’s no wonder that misdemeanors are looked at as not serious.

But in reality, a misdemeanor can completely change your life. In many cases, it’s true that misdemeanors don’t face jail time, and are instead just faced with fines. However, it’s a mistake to think that that will always be the case.

Did you know that with a misdemeanor conviction, you can spend up to six months in jail? That’s enough time to completely ruin your life. You can lose your job, and with a criminal record it may be hard to find another one, not to mention having to pay the fine that the court has given you.

It’s not worth taking the chance.

If you find yourself being charged with a misdemeanor, you need to find the best defense attorney you can, and quickly. Even one conviction can stain your criminal record permanently.

Sometimes it’s the charges that aren’t taken seriously that are the ones that end up costing too much.

So whether you’ve been charged with a Class 1, 2, or 3 misdemeanor, you need a defense attorney who understands exactly how much a misdemeanor offense can change your life, and who will take that responsibility seriously. Don’t wait to find an attorney who will represent you to the best of their abilities!

What Qualifies as Theft in Colorado?

Theft charges are some of the most common charges seen in Colorado courts. The term is very broad, and encompasses a wide range of charges, both misdemeanor and felony. Often, the severity of the charges depends on the actual value of the property that was involved in the charge. For example, shoplifting will bring a lesser punishment than stealing a car. Even petty theft in Colorado should be taken seriously, as the after effects of a guilty verdict often go far beyond just a fine.

Common types of Colorado theft include:

• Shoplifting
• Theft by receiving
• Theft by fraud and deceit
• Theft by writing a bad check
• Motor vehicle theft
• Identity theft
• Theft of rental property
• Theft of fuel
• Burglary
• Robbery

You may thing that a minor theft will result in just a slap on the wrist. In some cases, that may be true, however it is important to think about the long-term when facing a legal situation such as theft in Colorado. Most employers run a criminal background check before extending an offer of employment. A theft charge is a serious liability for any employer, and most often it will result in missing out on an opportunity for employment. In addition, it can be impossible to receive certain professional licenses with a theft conviction on your record.

If you have been arrested for any type of theft in Colorado, you need the help of an experienced Colorado theft attorney. With an attorney at your side, you will have the best possible chance of having the charges dropped. If the charges cannot be dismissed, your attorney will work to get you the least amount of penalties possible.