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Questions Answered by Douglas T. Cohen
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: if I entered into a plea agreement and the DA who made the plea agreement died, should my case get reconsidered?

I entered into a plea agreement under duress and before I was sentenced, the DA shot himself, and I also changed lawyers. The Judge proceeded, and the DA stand-in grandstanded me. This in turn rendered a sentence outside of the presumptive sentencing range of the alleged charges.

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Jan 3, 2023

The short answer is no. The main issue is whether you entered your plea knowingly and voluntarily, which paperwork you signed and the actual court record will indicate.

Sometimes pleas can be withdrawn if exculpatory evidence (evidence that is of benefit to the defense) was withheld from...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: Boyfriend was accused of SA to a child in 2019.

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Mar 27, 2022

sorry to hear this. Do you have a question or are you seeking legal counsel for him?

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for Colorado on
Q: Hi I had a civil order of protection against me in Colorado and it was dismissed. Can I legally contact my ex

Ok so this was a domestic violence case in Colorado. I was never arrested or charged with any crime .This has all been civil .And the civil order of protection was dismissed by the judge.So I assumed I could then contact my ex girl friend. Then a da investigator says pending charges are under... View More

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Mar 26, 2022

Good day. Sorry you have this confusion but also not sure what you are asking. It sounds like the court and sheriff have already told you there is no criminal or civil protection order prohibiting contact.

However, you say that they also informed you, which seems accurate, that if you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: 33years ago pled and conviction of attempted sexual behavior involving a minor. Want to have that conviction expunged.

Never had any other criminal charge other than the one time.

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on May 1, 2021

sorry but you cannot expunge a sex offense conviction in Colorado unless it was not really a conviction

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Colorado on
Q: My son was responding to a call he received from his girl friend needing a ride from a grocery store.

The girl had been arguing with her father and did not want to go home. They arrived at my son's and I's house and were greeted by police. He was charged with harboring a minor. He had just turned 18 three months earlier. They knew each other from high school. The police messed up his name... View More

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Apr 28, 2021

sorry your son is going through this. However, to assess the case and whether the plea offer is reasonable, it would be best to retain an attorney to look at the police reports and all the facts and do further investigation if necessary in order to better negotiate with the DA.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: What do they mean when the dissmiss with or without prejudice

I was charged with felony theft

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Jan 16, 2021

“With prejuduce” means the Prosecution can never re-file the case. “Without” means they can.

Almost all criminal cases are dismissed “without” prejudice. In Colorado, there is no law here in Colorado that gives the judge the authority to require a dismissal “with” prejudice...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Internet Law and Sexual Harassment for Colorado on
Q: What to do if im being threatened with authoritative action

Used to use a dating app, matched with someone who wanted to text right away. Didn't think much of it, first thing they did was send a very pixelated lewd photo. Well couple hours later I get a call from someone claiming to be the father and saying the girl was actually 16. I never sent... View More

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Nov 3, 2020

Although I can’t comment on the specifics of any particular matter here, generally what you describe sounds like a scam to extort you.

When police do online undercover stings, they cannot use any lewd photos of minors. Anyone who demands money instead of reporting a suspect to police is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Colorado on
Q: What are the codes on probation extension and can it exceed the max sentence of the crime
Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Oct 12, 2020

Good day, The short answer is "it depends, more info is needed."

The longer answer: If this is a Colorado case, every felony and misdemeanor in Colorado has a different presumptive range of what you can be sentenced to. However, in general, the maximum years you can be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: My husband, who is 80 yrs. now, was convicted of stealing a saddle when he was 18. He served jail time, and probation.

Just recently, we have found out that this is still on his record. Is this correct, since he fulfilled all of his obligations at that time?? Can he get this erased, or shouldn't it have been taken care of 62 yrs. ago??

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Apr 14, 2020

The short answer is: It depends. It depends on whether the "conviction" was permanent or some other type of plea (deferred, dismissed) and if he really was 18 or a juvenile under 18.

Also, it depends on the level of "conviction." In recent years, the laws have changed...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Sexual Harassment for Colorado on
Q: What are the possible outcomes of this case, and the chance of each?

Deleted.

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Mar 21, 2020

Sorry but if you currently have a lawyer, you should not be discussing your case specifics with other lawyers and definitely not online. I suggest you set a meeting with your public defender and address these concerns with him/her.

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Child Custody and Domestic Violence for Colorado on
Q: What do I do if my ex wife is filing for a CFI with no probable cause?

My ex wife has involved social services twice and police numerous times claiming false domestic violence accusations against my current girlfriend and I in front of the kids. I've been thoroughly investigated and nothing has been founded. She is now threatening to file a motion for a CFI and... View More

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Feb 2, 2020

You can object to the appointment of a CFI, but with a high-conflict custody situation, the court is likely to appoint one. It is not up a therapist to decide.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Divorce for Colorado on
Q: Birth mother enticed 14 yr old son away from care without knowledge at a public venue under CO. Statute18-3-304

Birth mother attended same sporting event as me and kids. Without knowledge or communication to me as custodial parent my Ex wife texted my 14yr old out of stands to come meet her without my knowledge or consent. Is this criminal under 18-3-304 CO Statutes?

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Dec 7, 2019

The short answer is: No.

CRS 18-3-304 is a kidnapping statute. Applying the kidnapping statute to the type scenario you are describing is a major stretch.

One parent texting a child at a sporting event that you are at with your child, so they can meet and say hello for a few...
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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: My son has to be in court tomorrow at 9. He is being charged with a class give felony charge. Will we need a lawyer?

He's never been in trouble before. He did not know He was entering a vacant house until he was inside. He did not knowingly and willingly break in.

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Nov 5, 2019

Yes.

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: What element are needed to prove criminal attempt to commit sexual assault in Colorado General intent or Specific intent
Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Nov 1, 2019

The short answer is: Sexual assault has an element of the mental state of "knowingly" crime, even if an attempt v actual sex assault. "Knowingly" is a general intent crime.

To be "specific intent" the mental state usually has to be "with intent" or...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Colorado on
Q: Can i get in trouble for continuing my relationship with my boyfriend who has a dv with me and is taking it to trial?

My boyfriend and I had started out in what i thought to be a dream vome true relationship. However, september of last year we got into a scuffle over something he was hiding on his phone. The cops got invovled and now he is taking it to trialeven though he admitsto me to what he did. He began... View More

Douglas T. Cohen
Douglas T. Cohen
answered on Jun 7, 2019

If this is in Colorado, there is a mandatory protection order that prohibits your boyfriend (the defendant) from contacting you.

You cannot get in trouble for contacting him (unless you are breaking some other law), but he can get in trouble for having contact with you in violation of the...
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