We are Mike Harris and Bill Holtz, Colorado attorneys in private practice concentrating on criminal defense, DUI and traffic defense, juvenile delinquency, and administrative law. We are known fighters in court, often called upon for difficult cases and trial work. Due to our skills in defending cases, numerous other lawyers often look to us for advice and often call upon us to take the lead in trials and serious cases.
We each have our own practices based in Colorado Springs and co-counsel cases throughout the state. We each have over ten years experience and know the system having worked on all sides of criminal cases: prosecution and defense, adult and juvenile, trial and appeal, state and federal, civilian and military. We are often called upon by other local attorneys to advise and assist in major felonies and other cases that need an experienced and aggressive trial attorney. We have a track record of challenging the police and their investigation. Due to our reputation, we have also been called upon to defend law enforcement and their family members who have found themselves accused.
Our practices encompass both state and federal jurisdictions. In addition to trial work, we handle appeals and other post-trial work, including sealing and expunging of criminal records. We also handle civil cases that share some similarities to criminal and traffic work, such as restraining order cases, driver’s license hearings, child welfare cases (called dependency and neglect in Colorado), and school expulsion cases. We further work on administrative cases involving liquor and professional licenses. We can also defend clients facing military courts-martial and administrative separation boards.
We are known throughout the community for our thorough investigations and representations. We will work hard to build your case. We have a former federal agent working as in-house private investigator with a track record of locating witnesses and useful evidence. We also have worked with numerous experts, including medical doctors, DUI experts, traffic accident reconstruction experts, and mental health experts. We can also convene mock juries to help analyze your chances at trial and prepare you to testify.
Guilt or innocence may often be the most important thing in a case, but it is not the only part. You may need to challenge violations of your rights, from an illegal search by the police, an unlawful interrogation or violation of your Miranda rights, to improper evidence testing. We have had success not only in trial, but in avoiding trial by getting evidence thrown out of court.
We also have experience building mitigation cases to reduce the punishment if the evidence is against you. We will work to show your overall character and any issues that explain how you may have gotten into trouble. This often involves establishing post-traumatic stress disorder for those who have been in combat or had other severe experiences.
It is true that the vast majority of cases result in a plea bargain. However, the best deals often come as a result of building the best possible defense and having attorneys with a reputation for taking cases to trial. Whether you are looking for a fair deal or looking to challenge the case all the way, we can help.
Many people will tell you how wonderful the justice system is. That sad truth is that it is often unfair. Many who go through the system often feel like they are treated like a statistic. We work hard to show the prosecutor, judge, and/or jury that you are an individual, not another number.
You also need attorneys who will give you straight talk. Beware of those who give phony promises to make you happy or who scare you to get your money, and may do little work on the case. Don’t feel like you have to hire the first attorney that you speak to. Your case may be one of the most important things you go through in your life. Make sure you have attorneys that you are comfortable with and who can describe how they will handle your case.
We will spend the time with you to help you make the best decisions. We realize that the case is about you and your future. We don’t wait until the day of court to discuss the case with you and will keep you involved every step of the way. We will aggressively pursue your interests, whether that is the best possible deal or going all out in trial.
The court system can be extremely complex and some types of cases cannot be put off. We offer a free initial consultation. Contact us to discuss your case.