Charged with a crime in Aurora? Read this before you say anything else.
Top 10 Criminal Defense Lawyers in Aurora, CO
A charge is not a conviction. The right Aurora defense lawyer can challenge the stop, the search, and the evidence long before trial - and in many cases get charges reduced or dropped.
Updated May 03, 202612 min readEditorially independent
If you have been arrested or charged in Aurora, the most important thing you do next is stay quiet and call a lawyer. Aurora sits across two counties - most of the city is in Arapahoe County (18th Judicial District) and the north end is in Adams County (17th Judicial District) - and a small piece reaches into Douglas County. Where your case is filed changes which judges and prosecutors you face, and a local lawyer knows those courtrooms.
Colorado also runs two cases at once after a DUI arrest: the criminal case in court, and a separate license case at the DMV under the Express Consent law. You have only seven days to request the DMV hearing or your license is suspended automatically. That deadline is one of the first things a good DUI lawyer protects.
Every firm below has a verifiable Aurora-area criminal practice and appears across independent directories - Expertise.com, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and Martindale-Hubbell. We do not take payment for placement. Use this list to build a short list, then call two or three before you decide.
How we picked these 10: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Aurora-area dui / criminal defense practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Kishinevsky & Raykin, Attorneys at Law
Aurora, COCriminal defense & DUI
Practice focus: DUI/DWAI/DUID, traffic offenses, weapons and firearms charges, theft, assault, failure to appear
An Aurora-based criminal defense firm handling DUI, traffic, weapons, theft, and assault cases throughout Arapahoe and Adams counties. The practice is built around state-court criminal defense for everyday Coloradans rather than corporate work.
Why they made the list: Listed across Expertise.com, Avvo, and Justia with a dedicated Aurora criminal-defense practice.
A Denver DUI-focused firm representing drivers across the metro, including Aurora. Founder Jay Tiftickjian is a past president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar and author of a Colorado DUI defense guide.
Why they made the list: Recognized by Super Lawyers and widely cited in Colorado DUI defense.
Denver, CO - serves AuroraCriminal defense (Spanish-speaking)
Practice focus: DUI, drug crimes, assault, domestic violence, and the immigration consequences of criminal charges
A long-running Denver criminal defense firm offering Spanish-language representation across Colorado, including Aurora. The firm pays particular attention to how a plea can affect immigration status.
Why they made the list: Appears in Super Lawyers and Justia for Colorado criminal defense.
Tell us what you are charged with and where, and we will match you with vetted Aurora criminal defense attorneys. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Aurora
Match the lawyer to the charge. A DUI specialist and a felony trial lawyer are not interchangeable. Ask each firm how many cases like yours - same charge, same county - they have handled in the last three years.
Confirm which court your case is in. Aurora spans Arapahoe and Adams counties, with municipal matters in Aurora Municipal Court. Hire someone who is in those buildings every week.
Protect the DMV deadline first. After a DUI you have seven days to request a DMV hearing. A lawyer who does not mention this on the first call is not focused on your license.
Get the fee in writing. Most Aurora criminal defense is billed as a flat fee per charge. Make sure the engagement letter says what is covered and what triggers extra cost, such as a trial or an appeal.
What dui / criminal defense help typically costs in Aurora
Aurora criminal defense is usually billed as a flat fee that depends on the charge and whether the case goes to trial:
Misdemeanor (first offense). Flat fees commonly run $1,500 to $5,000.
DUI / DWAI (first offense). Roughly $2,500 to $7,500, often including the DMV hearing.
Felony defense. $5,000 to $25,000 and up, depending on the level and complexity.
Hourly work. When billed hourly, experienced Aurora defense lawyers charge about $250 to $450 per hour.
Trial adds cost because it adds hours. A flat fee that quietly excludes trial can balloon if your case does not settle, so ask up front what happens if you go to trial.
How long it takes
Most Aurora criminal cases move on this rough schedule:
Arrest to first appearance. Days to a few weeks; in custody, the advisement happens within about 48 hours.
DMV hearing (DUI). Must be requested within 7 days; the hearing itself is usually scheduled within about 60 days.
Pretrial and motions. Several months of disclosure, plea negotiation, and suppression motions for most cases.
Resolution or trial. A negotiated plea can resolve in a few months; a contested misdemeanor or felony trial can take 6 to 18 months.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a dui / criminal defense lawyer in Aurora
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many dui / criminal defense matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Aurora consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most dui / criminal defense matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted DUI / Criminal Defense attorney in Aurora
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about dui / criminal defense lawyers in Aurora
Do I really need a lawyer for a first DUI in Aurora?
Yes. A first DUI carries jail exposure, a license suspension through the DMV, and a permanent record - Colorado does not seal most DUI convictions. A lawyer can challenge the stop and the testing and often reduce the charge or penalties.
What is the seven-day rule?
After a DUI arrest, you have seven days to request a hearing with the Colorado DMV to fight the automatic license suspension. Miss it and the suspension takes effect by default. This is separate from the criminal case.
Which court will my Aurora case be in?
It depends on where in the city the alleged offense happened. Most of Aurora is in Arapahoe County (18th Judicial District); the north end is in Adams County (17th); municipal offenses go to Aurora Municipal Court.
Can a charge be dropped before trial?
Often, yes. Many cases end in a reduction or dismissal after a lawyer challenges the evidence, files suppression motions, or negotiates with the prosecutor. A strong pretrial position is where most good outcomes are won.
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Aurora?
Misdemeanors commonly run $1,500 to $5,000 flat, a first DUI about $2,500 to $7,500, and felonies $5,000 and up. Hourly rates are roughly $250 to $450.
Will a conviction stay on my record?
Colorado allows sealing for some offenses after a waiting period, but many convictions - including most DUIs - cannot be sealed. Avoiding the conviction in the first place is usually the only way to keep your record clean.
What should I do right after an arrest?
Be polite, give your name, and then say you want a lawyer and stop talking. Do not explain, argue, or consent to searches. Anything you say is evidence.
Can a criminal charge affect my immigration status?
Yes. Some pleas trigger immigration consequences even for lawful residents. If you are not a citizen, tell your lawyer immediately and ask about a firm, like Hernandez & Associates, that handles both.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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