Longmont Criminal Defense — by a former Colorado Deputy District Attorney
Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr. spent years deciding who gets charged and how cases are built. He now brings that experience to your defense; no result is guaranteed. A criminal charge puts your freedom, your record, your job, and your gun rights on the table, and the State already has a head start. Attorney Liken has investigated these cases, prosecuted them, and now takes them apart — he knows how they build and weigh a case.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Former Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney · 20+ Years in Private Practice · Former Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
Arrested or under investigation? The earliest hours matter. Say nothing to police — then talk to Attorney Liken.
Free case reviewThe prosecutor’s playbook — now on your side
Attorney Liken spent years inside the District Attorney’s office. As a former Deputy District Attorney in Colorado’s 12th Judicial District he decided what to charge, what to offer, and what to take to trial. Before that, as a civil and criminal fraud investigator for Denver Human Services (City & County of Denver), he ran more than 700 investigations. He reads case files the way the prosecution is reading yours right now — hunting for the weak seam. Today he hunts for the weak seam in theirs.
You don’t have to face the State alone — put a former prosecutor in your corner today.
Start here: a no-charge 20-minute phone call directly with Attorney Liken.
What’s actually on the table
Prosecutors count on you wanting this to just go away. A fast plea can feel like relief — and quietly cost you far more than the charge itself:
Before you say yes to anything, know exactly what you’re trading away. That conversation is free.
A police report is not the truth
It is one side’s story, written to convict you — not a verdict. Every case gets the investigator treatment: the stop, the search, the timeline, the witnesses, the lab work, the body-cam, pulled apart line by line. Suppression issues and credibility gaps are where cases turn — and finding them is exactly what Attorney Liken did for a living on the other side.
The charges Attorney Liken defends
Arrested? Your first moves matter
Do this now
- Say only that you are exercising your right to remain silent and want a lawyer.
- Stay polite — do not resist, argue, or try to explain.
- Write down everything you remember while it is fresh.
- Preserve texts, photos, and the names of witnesses.
- Call a lawyer before your next court date — deadlines move fast.
Don’t do this
- Talk your way out of it — you can’t, and every word is evidence.
- Consent to a search of your phone, car, or home.
- Contact the alleged victim — it can become a brand-new charge.
- Post anything about the case, anywhere.
- Assume the first plea offer is the best one you’ll get.
Frequently asked questions
Should I talk to the police if I am under investigation?
Almost never without a lawyer. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel — use both. Politely decline to answer questions and ask for an attorney. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Liken will tell you plainly that most cases are helped by silence and hurt by trying to explain.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in Colorado?
Felonies are the most serious crimes and can carry prison time and lasting collateral consequences; misdemeanors carry jail time of up to a set maximum, and fines. Colorado reworked its sentencing tiers in recent years, so the real exposure for a given charge is not always what people assume — it is worth having it checked.
Why hire a former prosecutor?
Because Attorney Liken is a former Colorado Deputy District Attorney and has built the State's cases from the inside. He knows how charging decisions, plea leverage, and evidence actually work — and he prepares every file as though it is going to trial.
Can a charge be dismissed or reduced?
Sometimes, depending on the evidence; no lawyer can promise a result. Suppression of an illegal search, gaps in the State's proof, and diversion or deferred-judgment options can all change the outcome. The first step is a hard look at the prosecution's file for the leverage points.
Do you handle the first appearance and bond hearing?
Yes. Early representation — at the advisement, the bond hearing, and any protection-order issues — can shape the entire case. The sooner counsel is involved, the more options stay open.
The State already started building its case. You should too.
Your first call is free, confidential, and straight to Attorney Liken — a former Deputy District Attorney who now takes these cases apart. Don’t wait for the next court date to start building your defense.