An arrest rarely comes at a convenient moment. One day life is ordinary. The next, you’re holding a summons or a bond receipt, or taking a late-night call from a family member who doesn’t know what to do next. The decisions made in those first few days, who to call, what to say and what to keep to yourself, often shape everything that follows.
The firms below were chosen for their courtroom records, peer recognition such as Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers listings, client feedback, and how well each one fits a particular kind of case. They serve different clients, so read each description with your own charge in mind.
1. Springer and Steinberg, P.C.
Harvey Steinberg has been defending clients in Colorado courts for more than four decades. Many Denver lawyers regard him as one of the city’s most experienced trial attorneys. His partner, Jeffrey Springer, served as president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar in 1988–89, and former Denver prosecutor and radio host Craig Silverman later joined the team. That gives clients both defense and prosecution experience inside one firm. The office is at 1400 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80222.
- Phone: (303) 861-2800
- Handles DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, sex crimes, white-collar cases and appeals
- Staff speak Spanish, French, German and Hebrew, which helps families who aren’t comfortable in English
- Rated around 4.7 stars from more than 100 Google reviews
2. Haddon, Morgan and Foreman, P.C.
Former public defenders Hal Haddon and Bryan Morgan founded this firm in 1976. It now works from the historic Crawford Hill Mansion at 150 East 10th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203. It is the firm executives, physicians and business owners tend to call when a federal agency starts asking questions. Its lawyers handle government investigations, white-collar prosecutions and complex appeals in state and federal courts across the country.
- Phone: (303) 831-7364
- Partner Norman Mueller was twice named Denver’s appellate Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers
- Several attorneys are Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only honor
- Best suited to clients facing a grand jury subpoena, target letter or federal indictment
3. Recht Kornfeld, P.C.
This firm’s founders came from opposite sides of the courtroom. One is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and the other a former Colorado state public defender, so they know how prosecutors build a case and how defenders take one apart. The firm occupies the 14th floor at 1600 Stout Street, Suite 1400, Denver, CO 80202, a short walk from the federal courthouse.
- Phone: (303) 573-1900
- Covers assault, homicide, sex offenses, drug charges, DUI, probation and parole matters, and white-collar fraud
- Also defends professional license cases and student disciplinary hearings, which can matter as much as the criminal case itself
- AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell; both name partners are listed in The Best Lawyers in America
4. Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C.
If your problem started with flashing lights on I-25, start here. Jay Tiftickjian worked as a Colorado Deputy District Attorney before moving to defense, served as president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar in 2017–18, and was named Best Lawyers’ 2026 Lawyer of the Year for DUI/DWI Defense in Denver. He co-wrote Colorado DUI Defense: The Law and Practice, a reference other Colorado lawyers use. The firm sits in the Bonnie Brae neighborhood at 1315 S. Clayton Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80210.
- Phone: (303) 384-5280
- Focuses on DUI, DWAI, DUID (drugged driving), serious traffic offenses and drug possession
- Tiftickjian has completed the same field sobriety and breath-test training police officers receive, including on Colorado’s Intoxilyzer 9000
- Holds roughly 4.9 stars across more than 200 Google reviews
5. Law Office of Kimberly Diego
Kimberly Diego has run a boutique defense practice in Denver since 2008. Her office is the right choice for clients who want one lawyer from start to finish. She is the only attorney there, so the person you meet at the consultation is the person who stands next to you in court. She is also fully bilingual in Spanish, which still isn’t common among Denver defense lawyers. Her office is at 899 Logan Street, Suite 103, Denver, CO 80203.
- Phone: (720) 470-3877
- Practices in municipal, county and district courts across Colorado
- Handles domestic violence, DUI, theft, drug and juvenile cases, plus record sealing
- Recognized by Super Lawyers and named to the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100
Practical Checks Before You Hire Anyone
A few minutes of homework can save you from a bad fit:
- Act fast after a DUI arrest. Colorado gives you only 7 days to request a DMV hearing on your license. That hearing is separate from the criminal case, and missing the deadline can mean automatic revocation.
- Verify the license. The Colorado Supreme Court’s Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel lets you look up any lawyer’s registration status online for free.
- Ask about the courthouse. Most Denver County and District criminal cases are heard at the Lindsey-Flanigan Courthouse, 520 W. Colfax Ave. A lawyer who appears there weekly knows the judges’ habits and the prosecutors’ offers.
- Ask who will handle your case. At larger firms, a junior associate may do much of the work. That’s fine if you know it up front.
- Get the fee in writing. Flat fees are common for misdemeanors and first-offense DUIs. Federal and white-collar matters are usually billed hourly with a retainer.
- Stay quiet until you’ve talked to counsel. Polite silence with police is your right, and it’s rarely a mistake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Denver?
A: Misdemeanor and first-offense DUI cases often run from a few thousand dollars on a flat fee. Felony and federal cases can cost far more, depending on whether the case goes to trial.
Q2. Do I need a lawyer for a first-time DUI in Colorado?
A: It’s strongly advised. A lawyer can challenge the stop and the test results, and can protect your license at the separate DMV hearing.
Q3. Can I get a public defender in Denver?
A: Yes, if you can’t afford a private attorney, the Colorado State Public Defender’s office can represent you once the court finds you eligible.
Q4. What’s the difference between Denver County Court and District Court?
A: County Court hears misdemeanors, traffic offenses and DUIs. District Court handles felonies.
Q5. Can a Denver lawyer get my criminal record sealed?
A: Many Colorado convictions and dismissed cases can be sealed. A defense attorney can check whether your record qualifies and file the petition.
Q6. Should I talk to police before calling a lawyer?
A: No. You can politely decline to answer questions and ask for an attorney, and that request can’t legally be held against you.
