Nancy Salomone joined the Laszlo and Associates in 2006, following eight years as a Colorado Public Defender and a private attorney specializing in criminal defense. Nancy began her career in the Denver office of the Colorado Public Defender. In this capacity, Nancy spent a full year of her practice focusing entirely on DUI and domestic violence cases and a second full year in the defense of felony drug cases. Nancy also handled extremely serious matters, such as murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping. As a Public Defender, Nancy gathered tremendous courtroom experience, including dozens of jury trials.
In 2002, Nancy left the Colorado Public Defender for private practice. As a private attorney, Nancy has represented thousands of clients with legal issues ranging from traffic tickets to violent crimes. As a private attorney, Nancy’s representation extends beyond the courtroom. Nancy routinely assists clients in the collateral consequences of their criminal cases, such as Department of Motor Vehicles administrative hearings and University disciplinary proceedings. When the outcome of the criminal case is ultimately successful, Nancy also assists clients in sealing the records of their arrest and prosecution in order to protect her clients’ reputations from future harm.
Nancy received her law degree with honors from the University of Michigan, which is consistently named one of the top ten law schools in the United States. In 2004, The Colorado Lawyers Committee awarded Nancy with their annual Community Contribution Award for legal services to clients incarcerated by reason of insanity in the Colorado State Mental Health Institute.
Year Joined Organization:
2006
Areas of Practice:
100% Criminal Defense
Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Colorado, 1998
Education:
The University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan J.D. Honors: Cum Laude University of California, Los Angeles, California, 1994 B.A. Honors: Magna Cum Laude Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Major: Political Science Major: Psychology
Published Works:
Recall of Constituent Elements from Multiple Episodes of an Event Using the Cognitive Interview, Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology, Vol. 10, 1994
Honors and Awards:
Community Contribution Award, given by the Colorado Lawyers Committee, 2004 - Present
Professional Associations and Memberships:
The Colorado Bar Association Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Boulder Criminal Defense Bar
Past Employment Positions:
Law Offices of Nancy W. Salomone, Solo Practitioner, 2002 - 2006
Office of the Colorado Public Defender, Deputy State Public Defender, 1998 - 2002
Previous Organization Name:
Nancy W. Salomon
When Should I Contact an Attorney?
When faced with the possibility of a legal problem, one of the most common questions asked by our clients is “When is the right time to contact a defense attorney?” Whether the accusation is large or small, the best answer is “Right away.”
The best time to call a lawyer is the first time you are contacted by a law enforcement officer who informs or even implies that you are the target of an investigation. A skilled criminal defense attorney can prevent the filing of charges against you, or minimize the charges that are filed, if you seek help immediately. At Laszlo & Associates, our experienced attorneys can advise you on the best ways to respond to an investigation before it becomes a formal charge. In some situations, we can intercede on your behalf with law enforcement or the District Attorney.
The best outcome of any criminal investigation is to prevent that investigation from becoming a formal case filing. Any charge that is formally filed against you has the potential to remain on your record forever, even if it is false or the result of a misunderstanding. If you believe you are the target of a criminal investigation, seek the representation of an experienced lawyer immediately to guide your interaction with law enforcement and preserve your best chance to avoid a formal charge.
Colorado DUI
If you have been charged with DUI, you need an attorney to defend your rights and present a powerful defense in your case. The defense of DUI and DWAI charges has been a specialty of the firm’s attorneys for over 10 years.
Contact Laszlo & Associates, LLC for a consultation on your DUI charge.
An offense of driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI), also known as drunk driving, can carry serious penalties and can implicate your insurance rates, your ability to drive, your job, and could even put you in jail.
Alcohol related driving offenses are very common but have far-reaching penalties. We will do our best to help you:
Keep your driver’s license
Limit your probation
Prevent or reduce a jail sentence
We are a criminal defense firm specializing in all aspects of the defense of people accused of drinking and driving. Attorneys Nancy Salomone and Debra Thomas collectively possess 20 years of criminal defense experience. Each has defended thousands of DUI and DWAI cases, including vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, and many DUI/DWAI jury trials. The firm also has extensive experience representing drivers in administrative DMV proceedings, and has succeeded in saving many driver’s licenses from revocation.
Our lawyers will take an in-depth look at the facts of your case. Many DUI cases turn on the attorney’s ability to recognize important details that might not seem significant to you. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate the facts so that we can prepare the best defense on your behalf.
For assistance with your DUI/DWAI or other traffic offense case, contact Laszlo & Associates, LLC. Our Colorado attorneys are dedicated to getting you results and protecting your rights.
DUI - Court Proceedings
Regardless of the facts alleged in your DUI case, you need the advice of an attorney before setting foot in court. Colorado DUI law is complicated and intricate. Mandatory jail sentences are implicated for certain blood alcohol levels, as well as for drivers with prior offense history. Mandatory supervised probation and substance abuse treatment are required in many additional circumstances.
The attorneys at Laszlo & Associates have a deep knowledge of Colorado DUI law as well as the realities of local practice. We have long-term and frequent contact with Boulder / Denver metro area courts and law enforcement. We can use this expertise to help you:
Prevent or reduce a jail sentence
Enter court prepared with defenses and mitigation
Know what to expect and how to navigate pre-trial and post-judgment supervision
The financial and personal costs of a DUI case can be tremendous. Our attorneys have represented thousands of clients facing DUI and DWAI charges in the Boulder / Denver metro area. Whatever your circumstances, the criminal defense lawyers at Laszlo & Associates will fight aggressively to defend the charges and reduce the punishment in your DUI case.
DUI - DMV Consequences
If you are accused of an alcohol-related driving offense in Colorado, you are likely to face penalties from the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles separately and independently from any punishment you face in court. The Colorado DMV can suspend or revoke your privilege to drive, even if your driver’s license was issued by another state.
To protect your rights, it is essential that you consult with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. If you act more the seven days after the date of your ticket, it may be too late to protect your driving privilege.
The attorneys at Laszlo & Associates have a deep knowledge of Colorado DMV law as well as the realities of local practice. We can use this expertise to help you:
Prevent loss of your driver’s license
If lost, reinstate your driving privilege as early as possible
Present your driving circumstances and history to the DMV in the best light possible
The attorneys at Laszlo & Associates have represented drivers in hundreds of DMV hearings. We know the best actions to take in preparation for a DMV hearing, and the best way to present evidence that may be favorable to you. Using this expertise, the attorneys of Laszlo & Associates have succeeding in saving many driver’s licenses from revocation.
To preserve the best chance of favorable Department of Motor Vehicles outcome, you should secure competent and experienced representation as far in advance as possible - ideally, even before requesting a DMV hearing. If you have been arrested for an alcohol-related driving offense, please contact us immediately.
DUI - Recent DUI Victories
The following are examples of just a few recent victories the Firm’s attorneys have achieved in drinking and driving cases:
December 2008: The Firm secured the dismissal of all DUI-related charges for a client accused of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Because our attorneys developed a better understanding of the side effects and safe usage of certain prescription medications than the law enforcement officers who originally investigated the case, our client’s DUID case was reduced to a fine-only traffic offense.
December 2008: A client accused of felony possession of methamphetamine and driving under the influence of drugs retained the Firm the day after his arrest. The Firm conducted an independent investigation and opened prompt dialogue with the prosecutor about the weaknesses in the case, even before the client was formally charged. This proactive work resulted in the District Attorney declining to file both drug charges, and instead issuing a ticket for an ordinary traffic offense. The client’s record will remain clear of the most serious accusations.
July 2008: Our attorneys discovered and capitalized upon a police error to force the dismissal of DUI charges against a client who was on probation for a prior DUI at the time we were retained. Upon retaining us, the client faced substantial jail time for both the new offense and the violation of probation, but the Firm was able to negotiate a guilty plea to a routine traffic violation.
November 2007: The Firm successfully avoided felony conviction for a client charged with DUI-based vehicular assault. After a careful investigation, our attorneys were able to persuade the prosecutor that the client’s behavior may not have caused the traffic accident. Although our client faced charges that normally result in a prison sentence, the Firm was able to negotiate a result in which all charges will be completely dismissed after the client’s successful completion of a probationary period.
November 2007: The Firm successfully negotiated the dismissal of DUI charges for a client who had two prior alcohol related driving offenses. Our client faced a substantial jail sentence at the outset of the case, but the Firm was able to get charges reduced to a simple traffic violation.
August 2007: The Firm secured the dismissal of all charges for a client charged with DWAI. Because we achieved this outcome, our client will be able to seal all records of the existence of this arrest and charge from public access.
July 2007: Our attorneys saved the driver’s license of a client whose blood test revealed a BAC over 0.20. Despite the fact that the allegations also triggered Colorado’s mandatory jail sentencing provisions, the Firm was able to keep our client out of jail and resolve the case with the payment of a fine.
April 2007: In the representation of an underage client, the Firm was able to negotiate a dismissal of all charges related to alcohol. Allegations of impaired driving and underage consumption of alcohol were dismissed; our client pled guilty to a routine traffic infraction.
November 2006: With our help, a client was able to completely avoid the filing of any criminal charges whatsoever after police arrested him on suspicion of DUI.
February 2005: Our attorneys were able to successfully negotiate a DUI case down to a minor traffic ticket. Careful investigation revealed irregularities in the prosecution’s toxicology evidence as well as issues with the police officer’s conduct. This investigation and favorable outcome saved the client from losing his driver’s license.
These are only a few examples of the numerous success stories achieved by the attorneys of Laszlo & Associates for our DUI clients. Please contact us for more information about how we can help you.
DUI - January 2009 Changes to Colorado DUI Law
Beginning on January 1, 2009, a number of new changes are coming to Colorado DUI law. These changes will make DUI consequences, particularly DMV consequences, more severe. First-time DUI offenders are among the hardest hit by Colorado’s new DUI law. Among the upcoming changes to Colorado DUI law are the following:
First-time DUI offenders will be subject to increased time without driving privileges. The period of DMV restraint will increase from 3 months to 9 months for an adult driver with a regular license;
All first-time DUI offenders with blood alcohol or breath alcohol tests over the legal limit of .08 will be subject to the installation of an “interlock” device in their cars. The “interlock” device is installed in the car’s ignition and requires a driver to take and pass a breath test before starting the vehicle;
The DMV will remove some incentives for to an accused driver to accept a lesser “DWAI” plea bargain when facing a greater “DUI” charge. With this change, many drivers should think twice about accepting the standard plea bargain offer extended to the majority of DUI defendants in the majority of Colorado jurisdictions.
Because of these changes in DUI law, the assistance of an experienced and knowledgeable DUI attorney is more important than ever. If you have been arrested for DUI, please contact Laszlo & Associates right away for an evaluation of your case.
