Criminal Defense
Felonies, misdemeanors, and everything in between — defended for trial.
A criminal charge threatens far more than a fine. It puts your job, your housing, your professional licenses, your immigration status, and your reputation on the line — often before you ever set foot in a courtroom. From the moment police begin asking questions, the decisions you make matter, and so does the advocate standing beside you.
Adrian Hartwell built his career as a Deputy State Public Defender, trying cases that most attorneys quietly resolve. That trial experience shapes how the firm approaches every matter: we prepare each case as if a jury will decide it, because prosecutors negotiate very differently with a lawyer they know is ready to try the case.
Whether you are facing a first-time misdemeanor or a serious felony, Hartwell Legal Group investigates the evidence independently, challenges unlawful searches and interrogations, and pushes for dismissals, reductions, and acquittals across the Denver metro and the Front Range.
3,000+
Cases Handled
24hr
Call-Backs
6
Counties Served
How we defend criminal defense cases.
Independent investigation
We do not take the police report at face value. We obtain body-worn camera footage, dispatch logs, and forensic records, and we send our own investigators to the scene and to the witnesses before memories fade.
Suppression and pretrial motions
Many cases are won before trial. We scrutinize every stop, search, and statement for constitutional violations and move aggressively to suppress evidence obtained unlawfully.
Trial-ready negotiation
We negotiate from strength. Because the district attorney knows we prepare every file for trial, we are able to secure dismissals, diversions, and reduced charges that protect your future.
Direct attorney access
You work with Adrian directly, not a rotating cast of associates. Clients receive his personal phone number and timely call-backs at every stage of the case.
Criminal Defense matters we take on.
Criminal Defense FAQ.
Almost never. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Politely decline to answer questions about the allegations and ask to speak with an attorney. Anything you say — even an innocent explanation — can be used against you.
Misdemeanors generally carry up to 364 days in county jail and fines, while felonies can carry years in the Department of Corrections and lasting collateral consequences. The classification drives everything about strategy, which is why an early case assessment matters.
Often, yes. Dismissals and reductions can come from suppressed evidence, weak proof, diversion programs, or negotiated pleas. We evaluate every avenue and never assume the initial charge is the charge you will be left with.