Adams County Criminal Defense Lawyer
Adams County runs its criminal cases through the 17th Judicial District, and the courts there move at their own pace, with their own tendencies, their own prosecutors, and their own judges. What works in Denver County may not land the same way in Brighton. Reid DeChant knows this district from the inside, having handled cases as a public defender in Adams County across the full range of criminal charges. That experience is why Adams County criminal defense lawyer Reid DeChant approaches every case with a clear read of the local system, not just the law on paper.
What the 17th Judicial District Actually Looks Like for Defendants
The Adams County Justice Center in Brighton is where most felony matters are heard, while Northglenn Municipal Court handles lower-level municipal violations. The District Attorney’s office in Adams County has built a reputation for prosecuting domestic violence, DUI, and assault cases aggressively. Mandatory arrest policies in domestic violence situations mean that by the time someone calls an attorney, charges are often already filed and a protection order may already be in place. That timeline matters. Early decisions shape everything that follows.
Adams County also sees a significant volume of cases arising from traffic stops along I-76, Commerce City, and the corridors connecting the northern suburbs to Denver. Many DUI arrests and drug possession cases trace back to these stops. The validity of the stop itself, the conduct of the investigation, and the handling of any chemical testing are all pressure points that a defense attorney looks at immediately. These are not abstract legal arguments. They are the practical questions that can determine whether a case gets dismissed, reduced, or taken to trial.
Charges Reid Has Handled in Adams County Courts
The firm’s case results page includes dismissals and not-guilty verdicts from Adams County specifically. A harassment domestic violence charge out of Adams was dismissed at trial. An assault case out of Adams County resulted in a not-guilty verdict at trial. A third-degree assault charge out of Adams County was dismissed. These outcomes represent real cases in the same courts where your matter would be heard.
The types of charges that come through Adams County courts regularly include domestic violence offenses, DUI and DWAI, drug possession, assault, theft, and sex offenses. Each of these categories carries its own procedural quirks in this district. Domestic violence cases trigger mandatory protection orders and can result in loss of firearm rights. Drug charges increasingly intersect with questions about diversion eligibility and treatment-based alternatives to prosecution. DUI cases involve both the criminal case and a parallel DMV action that proceeds on its own track with its own deadline. Missing the DMV hearing window can cost someone their license even if the criminal case ultimately resolves favorably.
Reid’s background as a public defender in Adams County means he handled high volumes of these cases at every level of severity. He did not just observe how the system operates in this district. He worked inside it, representing clients from first appearance through trial.
The DMV Track Runs Parallel and People Often Miss It
After a DUI arrest in Colorado, there are actually two separate proceedings to manage. The criminal case moves through the 17th Judicial District court. The DMV Express Consent action runs separately through the Department of Revenue, and the deadline to request a hearing is short. If that request is not made in time, the license revocation becomes automatic regardless of what happens in the criminal case.
DeChant Law has a substantial record of DMV Express Consent victories, including cases dismissed for improper advisement, failure to administer the chemical test within two hours of driving, and procedural defects in how the Express Consent law was applied. These are not minor technical points to be dismissed as loopholes. They are genuine legal standards that law enforcement is required to follow, and when they are not followed, the consequences to a driver’s license should not stand.
For Adams County residents facing a DUI charge, addressing both proceedings simultaneously is not optional. One track feeds into the other, and the choices made early in the DMV process can affect the criminal case strategy as well.
Questions People Ask About Adams County Criminal Cases
How long does a typical criminal case take in Adams County?
It depends heavily on the charge and how the case develops. Misdemeanors can resolve in a few months. Felonies often take longer, particularly if the case goes toward trial or involves extensive pretrial motions. The pace of the 17th Judicial District, like any court, varies based on docket load, judge assignment, and the complexity of the case. The more important question is usually not how fast a case resolves but whether it resolves in a way that actually protects the client’s future.
What happens if there is a protection order in my domestic violence case?
In most domestic violence arrests in Adams County, a mandatory protection order is issued at first appearance. This order can prevent contact with the alleged victim and can require the defendant to vacate a shared residence. Violating the protection order is itself a criminal offense. The order can be modified under certain circumstances, but that requires a formal motion and a hearing. Managing the protection order is often as pressing as managing the underlying charge itself.
Can a Colorado criminal record be sealed?
Colorado allows record sealing for a range of charges, including arrests that did not result in conviction and certain types of convictions after a waiting period. The eligibility rules depend on the charge, the outcome, and how much time has passed. Adams County residents with prior cases on their record may qualify for sealing even if they were not told that at the time the case closed. It is worth having that evaluated.
What is the difference between a DUI and a DWAI in Colorado?
A DUI requires a BAC of 0.08% or higher, or impairment to a substantial degree. A DWAI applies at a BAC between 0.05% and 0.079%, or impairment to the slightest degree. Both are criminal charges. A DWAI carries its own penalties, including points against the license and possible jail time. The lower threshold for a DWAI means that someone who passed a breath test can still face a criminal charge. The distinction also matters when evaluating prior offense history, which affects sentencing on any future charges.
Is it possible to avoid a conviction on a first-offense charge in Adams County?
In some cases, yes. Colorado offers deferred judgment and sentence agreements in certain situations, which allow a defendant to complete a period of supervision and then withdraw the guilty plea, resulting in a dismissal. Eligibility depends on the charge, the defendant’s history, and what the District Attorney is willing to negotiate. Not every case qualifies, and not every case should pursue this route. That decision requires an honest assessment of the specific facts and what the realistic outcomes look like.
What should I actually do immediately after an arrest?
The most important thing is to not try to explain your way out of the situation to law enforcement. Statements made after an arrest are frequently used against defendants in ways that seemed harmless at the time. Contacting an attorney before making any further statements, agreeing to any interviews, or responding to investigators is the most protective step available to anyone who has just been arrested. This is especially true in domestic violence and assault cases where the initial narrative gets locked in quickly.
Does Reid take cases to trial in Adams County?
Yes. Trial experience is central to how DeChant Law approaches every case. The results listed on the firm’s website include not-guilty verdicts at trial in Adams County specifically, on charges including assault and domestic violence matters. The willingness to take a case to trial, and the ability to actually do it well, changes how the entire case is negotiated. Prosecutors weigh their chances. Defendants who are represented by attorneys known to try cases are not positioned the same way as those represented by attorneys who routinely push for a quick plea.
Talking With an Adams County Defense Attorney Before You Decide Anything
Criminal cases in Adams County do not get more manageable by waiting. The DMV deadline in a DUI case is short. Protection order conditions in a domestic violence case take effect immediately. Witness memories and evidence conditions change. Reid has worked these courts as both a public defender and in private practice, and that experience shapes how he evaluates a case from the first conversation. If you are facing charges in the 17th Judicial District and want to talk through your situation with an Adams County criminal defense attorney who has actually tried cases in those courts, DeChant Law is a direct place to start.
