Patrick Fitz-Gerald is a founding member of Driskell, Fitz-Gerald & Ray, LLC. He grew up in the Denver area, graduated from J.K. Mullen and the University of Colorado before going on to obtain his J.D. from the University of Denver in 2005. After working for the Jefferson County District Attorney as a Deputy D.A. he left to form Driskell, Fitz-Gerald & Ray in 2009.

"I really do believe that 95% of the people who find themselves accused of crimes are good, hard-working, honest people who just had a bad day," said Fitz-Gerald. "Those people need someone who knows the system to fight for them, to guide them through the confusing world of criminal law, and to get them back to their normal lives as quickly and efficiently as possible."

Patrick Fitz-Gerald is licensed in State and Federal court in Colorado, and practices all over the metro area and beyond.

Criminal Defense

Most people encounter the world of criminal law through the traffic laws, but many also find themselves accused of crimes under Colorado's title 18. Patrick Fitz-Gerald has experience dealing with the gamut of criminal cases from First Degree Murder down to speeding tickets, including:

• Domestic Violence: In Colorado, any crime committed in which the victim is, or has been, intimate with the accused, is classified as "domestic violence." These cases have unique dynamics and collateral consequences including the possible loss of one's right to bear arms, to see their children and their very freedom to go where they please.
• Driving Under the Influence: One of the most common charges a person can receive is the charge of DUI or DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired). Over the past few decades, the laws regarding driving while under the influence have steadily gotten stricter and stricter, and the punishments have gotten harsher and harsher. An effective, knowledgeable attorney is essential to a person accused of one of these offenses.
• Restraining Orders: Now referred to as "Protection Orders" these are imposed on the majority of people accused of crimes, even victimless crimes, and can be violated any number of ways including through texting, third-party contact or even simply drinking alcohol.

DUI/DWAI

Driving Under the Influence of drugs, alcohol or a combination of the two has become one of the most serious misdemeanor offenses a person can be accused of, and a person accused of it stands to lose their license, their freedom and a great deal of their money.

• DMV: The Department of Motor Vehicles, under the Department of Revenue can suspend your license regardless of your guilt or innocence in your DUI case. A person who is stopped and cited with DUI or DWAI has 7 days to request a hearing from the DMV, and those who do not request such a hearing simply forfeit their license. A lawyer at this hearing can mean the difference between an automatic revocation and keeping your license.
• Blood or Breath tests: Colorado law requires that people who are suspected of driving under the influence to take a test of their blood or breath. Many people do not know that they also have the right to refuse to take such a test the same way they have the right to remain silent. Simply because a person took such a test, however, does not mean that the case is closed. These tests are highly technical and require a good deal of attention to detail to be properly admitted at trial. A good lawyer can keep the results of those tests out at trial if everything was not done correctly, greatly increasing the chances of being found not guilty.
• Jail: Many DUI cases now require that a person who is found guilty or who pleads guilty to a DUI or DWAI serve some term of incarceration. This can be as little as 7 days or as much as a year. Since the Judge is the one who hands down the sentence, having someone to advocate for you in front of that judge is essential.

Medical Marijuana

Colorado's marijuana laws have undergone a fundamental shift in the past 10 years from being strictly illegal, to the point at which the state is now licensing dispensaries to sell medical marijuana to patients. However, the Federal laws regarding marijuana's illegality have not changed; putting may thousands of Coloradoans in ambiguous legal situations. Even most lawyers are not able to keep up with the changes in marijuana law, which seems to occur monthly. In order to defend many of his clients, Patrick Fitz-Gerald keeps fully informed of all the changes, cases and nuances of this highly specialized area of the law.

Those who wish to obtain their medical marijuana card, become caregivers, or open a dispensary need a lawyer who can keep them forewarned and forearmed against the ever-shifting legal landscape. Those who tread in this area with only the knowledge they glean from the newspaper or television, expose themselves to being treated not as law-abiding citizens, but as common criminals. Patrick Fitz-Gerald can make sure you are treated right.