Robert D. Gustafson, Attorney At Law COLORADO SPRINGS TRIAL LAWYER
6538 Charter Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80918-1335 Phone (719) 260-1002 Toll Free (800) 410-1002 E-MAIL    ATTORNEY		Attorney Business Hours Attorney Availability Status FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION   Fax (719) 260-1003
CRIMINAL DEFENSE COLORADO SPRINGS CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
WELCOME I appreciate your interest perhaps I will become your attorney

Colorado Springs Criminal Defense. Felony offenses, misdemeanor offenses, petty offenses, domestic violence, assault, menacing, fighting, violation of a restraining order, criminal mischief, prostitution, pimping, loitering, theft, shoplifting, burglary, impersonation, bad check, embezzlement, drug & paraphernalia charges, obstructing a peace officer, lighted materials on highway, obstruction of telephone, wiretapping, eavesdropping, abuse of telephone, gambling, possession of dangerous weapon, concealed weapon, unlawful possession of weapon, prohibited use of weapons, possession of firearm under the influence of alcohol or drugs - intoxication, complicity, accomplice, bail bond, jurisdictional attack, collateral attack, affirmative defenses, surveillance, statute of limitations, speedy trial, deferred sentence, deferred, sentencing, sentence, probation, sealing criminal records.

        Admissions made by a criminal defendant may be admissible in the prosecutor's case in chief.  At the of investigation or arrest or subsequent thereto, no criminal defendant should discuss a case with or make any statements whatsoever to any law enforcement officer, prosecutor, witness, the alleged victim, an insurance adjuster or any other third person.  Prosecutors will not hesitate to file intimidation of witness felony charges, and your statements are admissible in a trial or motions hearing.  You have the absolute right to remain silent even if police don't tell you.  Exercise that right.  In some circumstances, no statutory privilege exists with respect to medical providers (doctor, nurse, etc), counselors (psychologist, psychiatrist), clergy (minister, priest) or spouse (husband, wife) - only the attorney-client privilege exists.  Consult with your attorney before talking.

When the police call or drop by, don't talk to them.  
Simply say at the outset that you wish to remain silent & want an attorney.

        When a criminal suspect voluntarily gives permission for police or law enforcement to search, items found in that search will likely be admissible as evidence.  Conversely, searches without a warrant are presumed unlawful with some exceptions.  Evidence found as a result of an unlawful search may be suppressed (excluded from admission) as a fruit of the poisonous tree.

        Every citizen has the constitutional right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure.  Never consent to a search or seizure without advice of legal counsel.  Let law enforcement procure a warrant or face possible constitutional challenge to the evidence.

        Similarly, no other rights should be waived by any criminal suspect or defendant without advice from counsel.  If you aren't certain what your rights are at the time of the police request, simply say no - I need to speak to an attorney.

When the police drop by, don't admit them absent a warrant.  Don't consent to any search.

        Defense attorneys frequently see the police report phrase: "suspect was cooperative."  Law enforcement officers will do what they will do regardless of your cooperation - it won't help and may likely hurt your court case defense.  This attorney advises clients to remain silent and be courteous, calm and in control of your emotions.  Politely decline any police requests, making the statement you need to consult with legal counsel before giving a response, and request presence of an attorney.  You have the right to presence of and advice of defense counsel.  Exercise your rights.

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        Where relevant, I utilize the services of independent professionals.  Rates of independent providers of professional services change periodically and billings are not controlled by counsel.

        If retained by counsel as an agent of the attorney, such independent service providers are bound by the attorney-client privilege.  If retained privately by the client, no such agency or confidentiality exists.

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        In my primary website I have included a web page devoted to clear definition and understanding of free first consultation, fees and costs, retainer agreement and terms of representation.  Please refer to the following links.

ELECTION. In most circumstances, I initially make an option offer of 1.) billing to be upon hourly fees, or in the alternative, 2.) quote of a settlement flat fee or a trial flat fee.  Offered fee options will be up to the client, however client's initial election will be final.  Attorney reserves the right to quote hourly fees only without a flat fee offer, or hourly and trial flat fee options only.  Attorney reserves the right to decline any case.

POTENTIAL FEE QUOTE CRIMINAL DEFENSE HOURLY FEE RATE SETTLEMENT FLAT FEE deduct from trial flat fee $TBD    TRIAL FLAT FEE deduct settlement fee $TBD   Due to the fact criminal or traffic charges may vary so widely between felony offense, misdemeanor offense, petty offense, traffic offense or traffic infraction, it is not possible to ballpark estimate fees or costs without knowing more about the criminal charges, allegations and surrounding factual circumstances.  That is the purpose of a free initial consultations.  $TBD To Be Determined TRUST DEPOSIT REQUEST trust deposit request regarding fees & costs Fees and anticipated costs for some more predictable cases have been quoted in the relevant topical pages of primary website.  These may be accessed through the Primary Website Criminal Law Gateway. Fees and anticipated costs for some DMV license actions have been quoted in the relevant DMV topical pages of primary website.  These may be accessed through the Primary Website DMV Gateway. Please refer to the Restraining Orders page for information regarding proceedings and Fees - PRO Proceedings at any Permanent Restraining Order (PRO) hearing.
PAYMENT Secure On-Line Payment Prior to commencement of representation, the attorney will quote the amount requested as a trust deposit against which attorney's fees and costs may be billed.  The requested trust deposit will be dependent upon the facts and circumstances of your case.
Colorado Springs Attorney Robert D. Gustafson ATTORNEY FEES LITIGATION COSTS DEPOSIT settlement common trust deposit request including attorney's fees & litigation costs - excluding travel map * travel policy - time & expenses * travel rates settlement trust deposit would be deducted from trial trust deposit   OR $        TBD   $        TBD   $TBD*           Colorado Springs Attorney Robert D. Gustafson ATTORNEY FEES LITIGATION COSTS DEPOSIT trial common trust deposit request including attorney's fees & litigation costs - excluding travel Additional cost deposit may be requested as trial preparation proceeds & anticipated litigation expenses solidify map * travel policy - time & expenses * travel rates settlement trust deposit would be deducted from trial trust deposit $        TBD   $        TBD   $TBD*       criminal charges * this shall not constitute an offer, nor be construed as a binding estimate
Client authorization is obtained for any large cost expense.  Final expenditure may run less or client may periodically be asked for additional amounts to be deposited to trust if fees and costs will exceed previous deposits.	Client will be provided with a trust accounting and itemized billing statement when there has been activity on the account.  At the end of each case, a detailed accounting summary is provided and remaining trust proceeds are refunded.
trust deposit for anticipated fees & costs is due when retained attorney does not accept installment payments FIRST CONSULTATION ALTERNATIVES regular billings are scheduled on the 1st and 15th payment not received as agreed = representation withdrawn	MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED PAYPAL ACCEPTED   charge card merchant discount
PARTIAL LIST OF POTENTIAL COSTS out of pocket costs are the responsibility of the client generic costs relevant to any criminal action generic costs relevant to any litigation e-Filing availability and court mandatory requirements litigation costs fluctuate - not within attorney control costs change & below cost information may be obsolete COLORADO STATE COURT WEBSITE link to Colorado Judicial Branch website -  current costs COLORADO STATE COURT COSTS CRIMINAL & TRAFFIC COURT COSTS County Court CRIMINAL COSTS District Court CRIMINAL COSTS
$135.00   Toxicology - BAC Ethanol (alcohol) only 185.00   Toxicology - BAC Ethanol (alcohol) + NaFl (preservative) 95.00   Toxicology - UA qualitative toxicology screen for marijuana 620.00   Toxicology - UA quantitative toxicology screen for marijuana 545.00   Toxicology - Substance quantitative toxicology screen for marijuana 595.00   Toxicology - Qualitative and quantitative drug screen 720.00   Toxicology - BAC ethanol (alcohol) + NaFl (preservative) + drug screen Price   Client Background Search Varies   DMV Out of State Driving Record 10.00   Accident Report 20.00   Offense Report 10.00   DA Office discovery packet - estimate (actual may be more or less) 10.00   Local court archive records search fee (actual may be more or less) 10.00   Court records search & copy costs (actual may be more or less) 30.00   OJW fee to court (outstanding judgment warrant) 2.20   DMV admin hold release fee (OJW - outstanding judgment warrant) 500.00   Private Investigator initial retainer - if relevant      variable based upon number of witnesses to interview 200.00   Law enforcement 911 / dispatch records, tapes & transcript - widely variable 200.00   Subpoena process service expense - depends on number of subpoenas issued Varies   On-line legal research - dependent upon issues requiring legal research, if any Rates   Travel time and expenses if the case is outside Colorado Springs If the case is complicated, it may be prudent to place law enforcement 911 * dispatch tapes and records, plus other law enforcement records under subpoena duces tecum.  Expense will depend upon the amount of time the law enforcement agency spends searching dispatch tapes and records, but total expense frequently runs $140 - $200.
CAVEAT: Not all above costs will be relevant to any given case, and additional expenses not identified may be incurred in any individual case.  Costs quoted are subject to change by independent providers; actual costs paid will be billed.  limited search pricing