Monument Criminal Defense Lawyer

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

At Christian A. Schwaner, P.C., we are trusted criminal defense lawyers with over 20 years of experience.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime in Monument, the decisions you make in the first days can shape everything that follows. Bond conditions, statements to police, and the timing of your response all matter. Christian Schwaner is a Monument, CO criminal defense lawyer who has represented adults and juveniles across El Paso and Teller Counties for more than 20 years. Free consultations are available for individuals looking to explore their legal options.

Criminal Defense Lawyer Monument, CO

A criminal defense lawyer represents people who have been accused of breaking the law. That includes anyone charged with a petty offense, a misdemeanor, or a felony. In Colorado, criminal charges range from minor traffic infractions to serious felonies involving prison time. The process shifts significantly depending on the level of the charge and the court where it is filed.

Our job is to protect your constitutional rights at every stage. We review police reports, question the evidence, negotiate with the district attorney’s office, and take cases to trial when that is the right move. A Monument criminal defense attorney can also advise you on collateral consequences. Things like professional licensing, immigration status, and firearm rights can all be affected by a criminal conviction.

Types of Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Monument

Our practice covers a wide range of criminal charges filed in El Paso County and the surrounding jurisdictions. We represent both adults and juveniles, and we handle everything from a first-time misdemeanor to a felony indictment. The list below is not exhaustive, but it covers the matters clients most often bring to us.

• DUIs. We defend drivers charged with alcohol-related offenses, drugged driving, and repeat DUI cases. Colorado has some of the most complex impaired driving statutes in the country, and outcomes often hinge on whether officers followed proper procedure during the stop, the field sobriety tests, and the chemical testing.
• Assault. Assault charges in Colorado range from misdemeanor third-degree assault to first-degree assault, which is a serious felony. We investigate the underlying incident, examine witness accounts, and challenge the inconsistencies that often appear in these cases.
• Domestic violence. Colorado’s mandatory arrest law means officers responding to a domestic call often make an arrest even when the evidence is thin. We handle protection order issues, gun rights implications, and the pressure these charges place on families.
• Felony menacing. A charge under Colorado’s felony menacing statute can arise from a heated argument, a road rage incident, or a misinterpreted gesture. These cases turn on intent and perception, and we work to place the events in their full context.
• Drug offenses. Colorado has restructured its drug laws over the past decade. We represent clients accused of possession, distribution, and manufacturing charges, and we look closely at how any search or seizure was conducted.
• Weapons offenses. Illegal possession of a firearm, prohibited weapons charges, and violations tied to protection orders can carry heavy penalties. Our defense often starts with the constitutionality of the search that produced the weapon.
• Traffic offenses. Serious traffic charges, including 6-point speeding tickets, reckless driving, and hit and run, can put your license and your job at risk. We handle both the criminal side and the DMV consequences.
• Theft. Colorado grades theft offenses by the value of the property involved. We represent clients accused of shoplifting, embezzlement, and larger financial crimes.
• Juvenile matters. Cases in juvenile court follow their own procedures. We represent minors charged with delinquent acts and help families protect long-term records and future opportunities.

Why Choose Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. as my Criminal Defense Lawyer in Monument, CO?

Former Prosecutor With Over 20 Years of Colorado Experience

Christian Schwaner founded the firm after serving as a Deputy District Attorney in El Paso and Teller Counties and as a Special Prosecutor in Pueblo and Canon City. That prosecutorial background gives our clients a real advantage. We know how the district attorney’s office builds a case, how charging decisions get made, and where the weak points typically sit in the state’s evidence. That perspective is one of the reasons clients hire a former prosecutor rather than an attorney who has only ever worked one side of the courtroom.

Christian earned his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1997 and has been licensed in Colorado ever since. He is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, and the National College of DUI Defense. During his years at the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office, he earned the “Trial Hound” distinction twice for trying more cases than any other attorney in the office.

We offer free initial consultations and take a hands-on approach with every client we accept.

What Is Important To Understand About Criminal Defense Cases?

Charges, Penalties, and Defense Strategies for Criminal Defense Cases

Colorado divides criminal offenses into three main categories: petty offenses, misdemeanors, and felonies. Each level carries different penalties and follows a slightly different procedural path. Understanding where your charge falls is the starting point for building a realistic defense plan.

A short overview of the key concepts:

• Petty offenses. The lowest level of criminal violation, generally punishable by small fines and short jail terms.
• Misdemeanors. Divided into classes, misdemeanors can carry jail time and fines but do not typically involve prison sentences.
• Felonies. Felonies are the most serious category, carrying potential prison time and long-term consequences for employment, gun rights, and immigration status.
• Defense strategies. Common approaches include challenging the legality of a search, questioning the reliability of witness identification, disputing intent, and negotiating for reduced charges. Our top criminal defense strategies vary based on the charge and the evidence available.

What Are Important Aspects of a Criminal Defense Case?

A few things matter more than most clients realize. The first is the exact wording of the charge. Prosecutors have discretion to charge conduct in different ways, and the specific classification affects everything that follows.

The second is your Fourth Amendment rights. If police obtained evidence through an illegal search or a stop that lacked reasonable suspicion, that evidence may be suppressed. Suppression can change the entire trajectory of a case.

The third is your right to remain silent. Statements made during an arrest, at the scene, or in an interview room often become the strongest evidence the prosecution has. We review every statement, look at the circumstances under which it was made, and identify possible defenses that fit the specific facts of your case.

What Is The Criminal Defense Case Timeline?

Every case follows a general framework, though the specific timeline depends on the charge and the court. Here is how most cases move through the system:

1. Arrest and booking.
2. First appearance and bond hearing.
3. Filing of formal charges by the district attorney.
4. Arraignment, where you enter a plea.
5. Discovery and pretrial motions.
6. Plea negotiations or trial preparation.
7. Trial or resolution.
8. Sentencing.

Some cases resolve within a few months, while felony matters can stretch across a year or longer. A closer look at each stage of the criminal case timeline can help you understand how long your specific charge is likely to take.

What Should You Bring to Your Criminal Defense Consultation?

Bringing the right documents helps us give you a realistic assessment during our first meeting:

• Any charging documents, citations, or summons you received.
• The bond paperwork and any conditions of release.
• Contact information for witnesses.
• A written timeline of what happened, prepared in your own words.
• A list of upcoming court dates.

We use the consultation to walk through the charges, explain what to expect, and answer your questions. Some situations also raise questions about why a prosecutor drops charges or how to work toward a dismissal.

What Are Important Colorado Legal Resources for Criminal Defense Cases?

Criminal cases in Monument are prosecuted through the 4th Judicial District, which covers El Paso and Teller Counties. The following resources can help you locate the laws, courts, and offices involved in your case.

• The Colorado General Assembly publishes Title 18 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, which contains the state’s criminal code and defines each offense.
• The Colorado Judicial Branch maintains information about the 4th Judicial District, including the El Paso County Combined Court where most felony cases are heard.
• The 4th District Attorney prosecutes criminal cases in both El Paso and Teller Counties.
• Colorado’s general criminal statute of limitations is governed by C.R.S. 16-5-401. Under that statute, prosecutors generally have three years to file most felony charges and 18 months to file most misdemeanor charges, with certain serious crimes carrying longer periods or no limit at all.
• The Colorado Bar Association provides public resources for locating information about Colorado law.

Reach Out to Christian A. Schwaner, P.C. to Schedule a Consultation

Criminal charges move fast, and early representation often produces the strongest results. Our office offers free initial consultations for new criminal defense matters. You can contact us to discuss your case, whether you are facing a first offense or a repeat charge.