Falcon Military Criminal Defense Lawyer

Are you looking for a military criminal defense lawyer in Falcon, CO?

At Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer, we provide trusted military criminal defense counsel for service members and their families throughout Falcon, CO.

If you are a service member or veteran charged with a crime in Falcon, our Falcon, CO military criminal defense lawyer can defend the civilian case while keeping its effect on your military career in view. We address the charge in El Paso County Court and identify how each possible outcome could affect command reporting, a security clearance, or continued service.

Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer represents active-duty personnel and veterans, and its founder, Christian A. Schwaner, has more than 20 years of experience in Colorado courtrooms. To discuss your case, contact us for a free consultation with our attorney.

Military Criminal Defense Lawyer Falcon, CO

A military criminal defense lawyer in civilian practice represents active-duty service members and veterans charged with crimes under Colorado law. The case proceeds in state court like any other prosecution. A conviction, however, can also be reported to the service member’s command and considered in administrative and security clearance decisions.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, El Paso County is home to 83,348 veterans based on 2020 to 2024 survey data, out of an estimated 2025 population of 757,040.

Types of Military Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Falcon

Falcon lies within about 10 miles of both Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases, and an off-base arrest in the area is generally prosecuted by the State in El Paso County Court. We represent active-duty personnel and veterans in the common criminal charges that arise from those arrests.

• DUI. An impaired driving arrest can lead to a civilian license action, a criminal case, and the suspension of base driving privileges. We challenge the stop and the testing while addressing how the outcome will be reported to the command.
• DWAI. A DWAI conviction is still an alcohol-related driving offense, and the military generally treats it as an alcohol-related incident. Our defense examines the officer’s observations and test results and considers whether an outcome without an alcohol-related conviction is achievable.
• Domestic violence. Allegations involving a spouse or partner often bring a civilian protection order and, in some cases, a military protective order from the command. We work to resolve the civilian order while protecting the service member’s access to housing and duty assignments where possible.
• Assault and menacing. Off-base altercations can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the injury and any weapon alleged. We investigate witness accounts, video, and self-defense issues.
• Drug offenses. Colorado permits adult marijuana use, but service members remain prohibited from using it. Possession or distribution charges can lead to both a criminal case and military consequences, so we review how the evidence was obtained and how any disposition will be characterized.
• Theft and property crimes. A theft conviction raises questions of honesty that matter to commanders and security officials. We address valuation, intent, and the possibility of a non-conviction resolution.
• Weapons offenses. Charges involving off-base possession or carrying of a firearm can affect a service member’s ability to perform armed duties. We examine how the weapon was found and whether the charge fits the facts.
• Traffic tickets. Serious traffic convictions can lead to points on a Colorado license and restrictions on driving at the installation. We defend misdemeanor traffic charges and negotiate amended citations.
• Cases involving veterans. Veterans charged with crimes may qualify for treatment-focused programs in the 4th Judicial District. We evaluate eligibility and present the veteran’s service history to the prosecution and the court.

Why Choose Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer as My Military Criminal Defense Lawyer in Falcon, CO?

Defending the Civilian Case With the Military Career in View

Christian A. Schwaner regularly represents members of the Colorado Springs military community. He weighs every plea offer against its effect on the client’s command record and clearance, not only on the court record. His work as a criminal defense lawyer in Falcon, CO covers the full range of state charges, so the firm can defend any civilian offense a service member faces. He takes a hands-on approach, and each recommendation he makes addresses how the command is likely to view the result.

Background and Professional Standing

Christian’s background combines prosecution and defense work in the courts that hear Falcon cases.

• Former Deputy District Attorney in El Paso and Teller Counties, and former special prosecutor in Pueblo and Cañon City
• Recognized by the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office in 2001 and 2002 with its Trial Hound award for trying the most cases in the office
• Practicing in Colorado since 1997, with thousands of criminal and DUI matters handled
• J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law
• Member of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar (CCDB)

What Is Important To Understand About Military Criminal Defense Cases?

What Is The Military Criminal Defense Case Timeline?

Colorado’s time limits for prosecution generally allow three years to file most felony charges and 18 months for misdemeanors. For a service member, the civilian timeline proceeds alongside a separate command process.

1. Arrest and release. The court sets bond conditions, which can restrict travel and affect pending deployments or permanent change of station orders.
2. Command notification. Many service branches require members to report civilian arrests to their command, and the command may open its own inquiry.
3. Filing and discovery. The district attorney files formal charges, and the defense receives the reports, recordings, and test results the prosecution intends to use.
4. Motions and negotiation. We file motions to suppress or limit evidence where the facts support them, and plea discussions proceed at the same time.
5. Resolution. A dismissal, plea, or verdict closes the civilian case. Any clearance or administrative review typically begins after that.

What Are Important Aspects of a Military Criminal Defense Case?

A civilian conviction and a military career are evaluated in different systems. The criminal court decides guilt and sentence. Command and security officials decide what the conviction means for the service member’s position.

Off-base conduct can still fall under military law, and a command may take administrative or disciplinary action independent of the State’s case. Our military criminal defense attorney in Falcon handles the civilian prosecution and plans that defense with the command process in mind.

Clearance holders face another layer of review. Federal adjudicative guidelines treat criminal conduct and alcohol-related incidents as factors in eligibility. A plea that limits jail time but adds an alcohol-related conviction can still create problems in a security clearance review.

Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Military Criminal Defense Cases

Service members are charged under the same Colorado laws as any other defendant. The penalties are the same, but the consequences extend to military status, and a military criminal defense lawyer in Falcon, CO addresses both.

• Misdemeanors may result in jail, fines, or probation, and can still lead to command action or a reenlistment issue.
• Felonies can result in prison and can lead to administrative separation proceedings.
• Firearm restrictions follow certain domestic violence convictions and can prevent a service member from performing duties that require carrying a weapon.
• Alcohol-related convictions for a DUI or DWAI are reported and reviewed separately by the military, in addition to the civilian penalties.
• Defense strategies start with the legality of the stop or search and the reliability of the witnesses. Where the evidence supports it, we negotiate for a reduced charge or deferred judgment that limits the effect on the service record.

What Should You Bring to Your Military Criminal Defense Consultation?

Military paperwork matters as much as the court documents in these cases. Please bring the following to your consultation with our Falcon military criminal defense attorney.

• The summons, complaint, bond paperwork, and any protection order
• Current orders, including any deployment or permanent change of station orders
• Any no-contact order, counseling statement, or notice from your command
• Your clearance level and any report already made to a security office
• Names of witnesses and any photos, messages, or video related to the incident

During the consultation, our attorney will give you an honest account of where the evidence is strong and where it is weak, and of how the likely outcomes compare for your military status. The consultation is free.

Falcon Courthouses and Local Criminal Justice Resources

Civilian charges against service members arrested in Falcon are heard at the El Paso County Judicial Building in Colorado Springs, where the 4th Judicial District also operates a Veterans Trauma Court. Several agencies support veterans whose cases are pending there.

• Veterans Justice Outreach. This VA program connects veterans in jails and courts with VA health care, treatment, and housing services.
• County veterans service offices. The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs lists the El Paso County Veterans Service Office, which assists veterans and their families with VA claims, applications, and appeals.

Reach Out to Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer to Schedule a Consultation

Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyer represents active-duty service members and veterans charged with crimes in Falcon and throughout El Paso County. The first consultation is free. Bring your charging documents and your current orders, and our attorney will explain how the civilian case and your military obligations affect one another. Contact us to schedule a consultation with our military criminal defense lawyer in Falcon, CO.