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Edward J. Nugent
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Edward J. Nugent
Nugent & Palo LLC
405 Ridges Blvd.
Suite B
Grand Junction, CO 81503
Phone: (970) 245-4617 | Fax: (970) 243-3905
http://www.defendtheaccused.com
Experienced Quality Criminal Defense
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
Criminal defense, felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence, DUI, and traffic.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Appeals
- Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
- Environmental Violations
- Felonies
- Grand Jury Proceedings
- Juvenile Crimes
- False Identification
- Truancy
- Misdemeanors
- Parole
- Probation
- Perjury
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Victims' Rights
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
- Animal Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Traffic - Moving Violations
- Open Container
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving without a License
- DWI
- Hacking
- Malicious Code
- Unauthorized Access
- Expungement or Expunction
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Medical Marijuana
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insurance Claims
- Money Laundering
- Public Offerings
- Racketeering & RICO
- Smuggling
- Trade Secrets
- Wire Transfer
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
- Abduction
- Child Abuse
- Child Pornography
- Indecent Exposure
- Prostitution, Solicitation, & Pandering
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Stalking
- Trafficking in Women
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
CO, Sep 1977
Bar Number: 8419
Other Court Admissions
All Colorado State Courts, United States District Court for the District of Colorado, and United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit.
Association Memberships
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar, Colorado Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mesa County Criminal Defense Bar, and Mesa County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I teach trial advocacy and attend special training in Criminal Law. I most recently completed three day training in death penalty mitigation sponsored by Colorado Alternate Defense Counsel.
Papers and Publications
"Ethical Issues in 35(c)s" RAP SHEET, Spring 1999, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar.
Example Cases
People v Haley, 41 P3d 666 (Colo. 2001) reaffirmed Colorado law that use of a drug detecting dog constitutes a search. The case clarifies what is required to change a traffic stop into a search.
I have tried two felony assault cases in the past year. Both resulted in acquittal on the most serious charges.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of Colorado
City:
Boulder
State:
CO
Year:
1977
Focus and Accomplishments:
Student director of the Legal Aid Clinic.
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of Notre Dame
City:
South Bend
State:
IN
Year:
1969
Degree:
Master of Arts
School:
University of Colorado
City:
Boulder
State:
CO
Year:
1973
Focus and Accomplishments:
English Literature.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
Colorado
Firm Focus and History
All types of criminal defense.
I have been practicing for 32 years emphasizing criminal defense. I have been in private the practice of law since 1982.
Previous Employment Summary
I began as a Colorado State Public Defender in 1977. I was head of the Grand Junction Regional Office from 1979 to 1981. I was head of the Greeley regional office from 1981 to 1982.
Activities and Awards
- Received the Jonathan Olom Award from the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar in 2003
- Recognized in the top 5% of Colorado's lawyers by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2008 and 2009
- Past president of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
- Past president of the Mesa County Bar Association
- Past member of the Colorado Alternate Defense Counsel Commission
- Served as a member of the board of directors for Colorado Legal Services
- Past president of the Colorado Lawyers Trust Fund
- Served on the Judicial Selection Committee for the 21st Judicial District
- Current member of the Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors
- AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Every client should educate themselves as much as possible on the issues affecting their case. Often good strategies evolve in discussions with clients when they are educated about the issues involved in their case. After all it is a team effort, and the client is a critical member of the team.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will review papers prepared by client, but discourage clients from filing those papers in court. In a criminal case too much is at stake to risk making errors or having the client's papers used against the client by prosecutors or the court.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do not think it is a good idea to coach clients to represent themselves. Would you play cards in a game where the other players were professional card players and you barely understand the rules? When your life and your future hang in the balance, you want professional, competent representation.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to use my education and the privileges it brought me to make a difference in peoples' lives. As a lawyer I could act on the principals I thought important; that a free society must be a just society. A society can be just only if all of its members have a voice and the ability to be heard.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I grew up with stories from my parents and grandparents experiences with being treated differently because of their national origin and religion. As a young person I too felt some of that discrimination. Later in life I saw the power of the government through the prosecution of the criminal laws used to stifle dissent and target those unpopular or viewed as a danger to the government's power.
In thirty-two years of practice as a lawyer, I have represented those despised by their community to the ordinary citizen who just made a mistake. I have always been more interested in how we are more alike than not alike regardless of what we may be accused of doing. I look for, and usually find, that common thread of humanity that unites us all. I have been privileged to stand with the despised against the angry mob, as well as with the innocently accused. I argue for compassion in a world which often wants only retribution.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I realize that the only thing that allows us to have any power against the government is the rights guaranteed to each and every one of us by our Constitution. By protecting and fighting for the rights of the accused, I hope to guarantee those rights to all of us.
What do you like best about your career?
I am overwhelmed by the trust and confidence placed in me by my clients. My life is richer because of the clients I have known and who have been part of my life.
Tell us about your law firm:
I practice with a partner of ten years, who does mostly business, transactional and elder law. I have a secretary who has worked with me for over 20 years. She is the glue of my practice holding all its parts together.
What are your strengths and style?
My strength is the relationship I form with my clients. I want to be able to be open and frank with my clients and expect the same in return. I am willing to negotiate, but from a position of strength. I think I have earned a reputation for being tough and effective in court. I am not afraid to try a case. From that strength, it is then possible to attempt negotiation.
Personal Interests:
I am an avid mountaineer and have climbed all 54 of the Colorado Fourteeners.
I mountain bike and ski. I rock and ice climb. I love the outdoors. I have had a small time cow/calf operation on my rural property. I love to travel. I read mostly fiction.
Fax
(970) 243-3905
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The office is closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I will handle some on a fixed fee basis and others on an hourly basis. The amount of the fee and whether it will be a flat fee or hourly depends on a number of factors such as, the complexity of the case, the seriousness of the case, the possibility that additional charge may be filed, your criminal history, and the like.
Hourly Rates
$200 to $250.
Free Initial Consultation?
There is no initial charge for a consultation regarding the decision for the client to hire me or for me to accept the case. If you decide not to hire me or I decline your case there will be no charge. If you decide to hire me the consultation will be part of the agreed upon fee. If you are seeking legal advice or a second opinion, you will be billed for the time at my hourly rate.
Typical Retainer
I do not have a typical retainer. It depends on the case.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
