Your Trusted Advocates in Family and Criminal Matters
At Fourth Street Law, LLC, we understand that family law and criminal defense matters are deeply personal and often emotionally challenging. Our firm is dedicated to providing compassionate and efficient legal services that prioritize your well-being and peace of mind.
With over 25 years of experience, Caroline C. Cooley and our team offer personalized attention and direct access to your attorney, ensuring you receive the support and advocacy you need from start to finish. We are committed to resolving your legal issues swiftly and amicably so you can smoothly transition to the next chapter of your life. Trust us to be your steadfast advocates, working tirelessly to protect your rights and interests
Your Trusted Advocates in Family and Criminal Matters
At Fourth Street Law, LLC, we understand that family law and criminal defense matters are deeply personal and often emotionally challenging. Our firm is dedicated to providing compassionate and efficient legal services that prioritize your well-being and peace of mind.
With over 25 years of experience, Caroline C. Cooley and our team offer personalized attention and direct access to your attorney, ensuring you receive the support and advocacy you need from start to finish. We are committed to resolving your legal issues swiftly and amicably so you can smoothly transition to the next chapter of your life. Trust us to be your steadfast advocates, working tirelessly to protect your rights and interests
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Awards & Affiliations
Case Results
Excelsior Tower vs. Kemp Construction, Co.
CASE DISMISSED
In July of 2015, Fourth Street Law succeeded in working with Broomfield County District Attorney’s Office to dismiss all criminal charges against our client involving a domestic violence matter. Through our diligent investigation into the case, we discovered that the key witness had not actually seen anything, contrary to the report by the police officer. More importantly, the witness had previously contacted the District Attorney’s office and told them this information. When confronted by this exculpatory evidence, the District Attorney conceded that they were aware of this information, and had not previously notified our office as required by the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
In June of 2020, Fourth Street Law, LLC represented our client in the Colorado Supreme Court in In re the Marriage of Wollert and Joseph, 2020 CO 47. In the Wollert opinion, announced on June 1, 2020, the Supreme Court considered the issue of parental alienation. As defined by the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology, parental alienation syndrome is “a child’s experience of being manipulated by one parent to turn against the other (targeted) parent and resist contact with him or her.” In Wollert, the Supreme Court made clear that severe parental alienation can be grounds for a trial court to set an emergency hearing within 14 days to restrict the parenting time of the parent responsible for the alienation. Even more importantly, the Supreme Court overruled more than a decade of lower court case law affecting all motions to restrict parenting time alleging imminent danger to children. Under the old rule, trial courts could toss out such a motion without even holding a hearing if the judge or magistrate thought the allegations in the motion were insufficient. But under the new rule announced in Wollert, a trial court has no choice but to hold an emergency hearing on such a motion as long as the motion identifies “with specificity the grounds in support of it or the reasons relief is warranted.” Writing for the Supreme Court’s majority, Justice Carlos Samour reasoned that “if the court errs in holding a hearing, the worst-case scenario is that a hearing is improperly held. But if the court errs in denying a hearing, the worst-case scenario is that a child may sustain injury or death.” The precedent set in Wollert will save the lives of children in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
Family Law FAQs
- Our family law representation is backed by over 25 years of experience
- We provide caring and passionate support for families
- We deliver aggressive advocacy that gets fair results for our clients
- You will never be perceived or treated as a case number with us
When you work with an experienced, dedicated family law attorney from Fourth Street Law, LLC, you can count on having direct access to your lawyer at all times. We handle each client’s unique case with the sensitivity and individual focus they deserve. With our legal advocates, you can swiftly navigate your case to a stronger future.
When you need to uphold your rights and even protect your safety, you deserve the outstanding legal support we commit to provide every day. At Fourth Street Law, LLC., we are equipped to handle even the most complicated cases.
Absolutely! At Fourth Street Law, LLC, we have the experience and determination needed to get results, and we always treat our clients with respect and compassion. Our dedicated divorce and family law attorneys are prepared to guide you through your legal issue as quickly as possible, and your first meeting with us is always FREE.
Whatever family law matter you face, whether it involves modifying court orders, filing for restraining orders, or relocation, you can find the successful advocacy you need with our dedicated professionals. Our desire is to take the stress out of your case so you can focus on moving forward with your life. Don’t hesitate to contact our team at your earliest convenience to discuss your case.
From a relationship perspective, there is little difference between a divorce and a legal separation. While the couple will still be married on paper, they will often be living apart and will begin to live life independently of each other, just as in a divorce.
From a legal perspective, however, these are entirely different principles. While divorce is the dissolution of a legally binding agreement, legal separation is just a court order that dictates the duties and rights of each spouse.
Separation Is Ideal for Unsure Couples
While some divorces can get very contentious, many other couples are simply going through a rough time and may be hesitant to end their marriage. Legal separation gives you the ability to live apart from your spouse, and gives you the time to see if you can resolve your differences. During the legal separation, both spouses can enjoy the following benefits when compared to divorce:
- Spouses can retain health care benefits
- Military spouses married for 10+ years will retain benefits from the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act
- Couples married for more than 10 years will retain certain social security benefits
- Spouses can file a joint tax return
For the vast majority of cases, getting a divorce will terminate these benefits. When children are involved, the divorce process can be much easier if an existing parenting plan is in place.
If you’re even considering the possibility of a legal separation or divorce, call our experienced divorce attorneys at Fourth Street Law, LLC. In your free case evaluation, we can take a look at the unique details of your case and help you determine if divorce or legal separation is the best option for you.
In Colorado, domestic violence crimes are prosecuted aggressively. These crimes are considered particularly heinous because they involve two parties who are currently, or have previously been in an intimate relationship, and because there is often a relatively high chance of future violence. If you’re facing domestic violence charges, call our experienced criminal defense lawyers for aggressive representation.
What Offenses are Considered “Domestic Violence?”
In Colorado, the term “domestic violence” refers to any violent act or threat of violence against someone with whom the assailant has had an intimate relationship. However, it also includes any other crime which was committed to coerce, punish, intimidate, control, or get vengeance against the individual.
What is Considered an Intimate Relationship?
In order to be considered domestic violence, the two parties must have a current or prior intimate relationship. This would include current and former spouses, current and former unmarried couples, and parents of the same child.
What Are the Consequences for Domestic Violence Convictions?
If you are convicted of a domestic violence crime, you will be subject to the same penalties as the underlying crime. These consequences can vary widely depending on the severity of the crime, and can include fines, jail time, community service, and more. Additionally, you may be ordered to complete domestic violence treatment programs, and may have a protective order issued against you.
Are Police Officers Required to Arrest Domestic Violence Suspects?
Although it depends somewhat on the circumstances, police officers are generally required to arrest a party if they have probably cause to believe they committed an act of domestic violence. They will consider any previous complaints of domestic violence, the severity of injuries which were inflicted, the chances of future injury occurring, and a number of other factors to determine if an arrest should be made. Generally, police will err on the side of caution to protect the victim.
Is a Protective Order Always Issued?
A protective order, commonly known as a restraining order, will not be issued in every case. In other case, however, multiple protective orders may be issued. The judge will look at the evidence in the case, and will generally issue a temporary protective order if they believe that an imminent danger exists to the victim or their family. These orders will often be requested by the victim, but may also be issued at the discretion of the court.
If you have been accused of domestic violence, Fourth Street Law can help defend your rights and freedom. Call our firm today at (303) 847-0120.
Criminal Law FAQs
While the law permits you to represent yourself, this is absolutely not recommended. You will be facing an experienced prosecutor – one who is not emotionally involved in the case. You will be up against serious penalties and repercussions. With so much to lose, hiring a qualified and capable attorney is the best thing you can do to protect your future.
In some situations, a prosecutor will give a defendant the opportunity to plead guilty to lesser charges or a smaller sentence if he or she will agree to plead guilty instead of not guilty. This would mean avoiding a trial, but this move may or may not be in your best interests. Your lawyer can help you make the right decision.
In a deferred sentence, the defendant pleads guilty but submits to specific requirements such as participation in a state-approved program. Once these conditions have been met, the criminal charges will be dismissed entirely.
Should you decide to forego a plea agreement or deferred sentence, your case will go to trial. Your attorney will begin to investigate your case and prepare a defense. It is important to choose an experienced lawyer who can advocate for you effectively in court.