Attorney Alexis Ann Austin's Legal Cases

Criminal defense

Client Acquitted After Shooting a Bear to Protect His Puppies

N/A

OUTCOME: Not Guilty Verdict at Trial. Case subsequently dismissed and sealed.

Client was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor wildlife violation after shooting and killing a bear that was attacking his puppies in his own backyard. The client worked in the medical field and faced u ... p to 18 months in jail and loss of gun rights. The District Attorney was unwilling to negotiate a reasonable resolution, so the case went to trial. Defense hired expert witnesses to testify about bear behavior and the reasonableness of the client's actions, and conducted rigorous cross-examination of the prosecution's witnesses.

Violent crime

Attempted Murder Charge Reduced to Probation in Drug Deal Shootout

N/A

OUTCOME: Attempted murder reduced to lower-level felony. 2 years unsupervised probation. No prison time.

Client was charged with attempted murder after a shootout during an alleged drug deal gone bad in a residential neighborhood. Client was facing up to 48 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. ... Defense filed multiple motions to suppress evidence, reviewed hundreds of hours of body-worn camera footage, and conducted an independent investigation into the incident. After extensive pretrial litigation, a plea to a lower-level felony was negotiated, allowing the client to avoid prison or jail of any amount, and continue his job that required national travel. Client only had to do 2 years of unsupervised probation, an incredibly lenient sentence which even the most DUI cases rarely even get.

Violent crime

Felony Menacing and Attempted Assault Dismissed in Road Rage Incident

N/A

OUTCOME: Complete dismissal and sealing of all charges.

Client was charged with felony menacing and attempted assault after a road rage incident while off-roading in the mountains of Colorado. Another driver attempted to run the client over, and the client ... displayed his firearm from his vehicle door. The other party claimed the client was threatening them. Defense gathered evidence proving the other party was the aggressor and presented a self-defense argument to the District Attorney, convincing them to dismiss all charges before trial.

DUI and DWI

DUI Actual Physical Control Case Dismissed — Client Was Waiting for Uber

N/A

OUTCOME: Complete dismissal and sealing of all charges.

Client was charged with DUI for being in actual physical control of a vehicle while intoxicated in a grocery store parking lot during the pandemic. Client maintained he had no intention of driving and ... had already called an Uber. Defense presented evidence of the Uber request and argued to the District Attorney that the client did not meet the legal standard for "actual physical control" under Colorado law, resulting in dismissal of all charges.

DUI and DWI

Vehicular Assault (DUI-Related Felony) Reduced to Traffic Infraction

N/A

OUTCOME: Reduced to careless driving (traffic infraction). No jail time. No felony conviction.

Client was charged with felony vehicular assault related to DUI after a serious accident on a mountain road in which she turned left and was T-boned by oncoming traffic, sustaining serious injuries her ... self. Defense filed multiple motions to suppress evidence, challenged probable cause, and identified a Brady violation (prosecution's failure to disclose exculpatory evidence). The case was set for trial to demonstrate willingness to fight. Ultimately negotiated down to a traffic offense.

Violent crime

Veteran's Attempted Homicide and Vehicular Assault Charges Dismissed After PTSD Mitigation Defense

N/A

OUTCOME: Deferred sentence. Full dismissal and sealing upon completion. VA benefits preserved. Family kept intact.

Client was a decorated military veteran suffering from severe, untreated PTSD after multiple combat tours. After the VA failed to provide care, he attempted suicide by vehicle, resulting in charges of ... attempted homicide and vehicular assault. Client faced 16–48 years in prison and permanent loss of VA benefits, which were the sole support for his wife and young daughter. The alleged victims were federally involved and adamant about prison time. Defense built a comprehensive PTSD mitigation package using expert reports, military service records, and documentation of the VA's failure to provide care. Leveraged attorney's background in psychology to reframe the narrative from criminal act to a veteran failed by the system. After intensive negotiations, the District Attorney agreed to a deferred sentence. Client completed all requirements, and the case was fully dismissed and sealed. Client now mentors other veterans navigating the court system.

Alexis Ann Austin's Legal Cases (6)

Client Acquitted After Shooting a Bear to Protect His Puppies

Attempted Murder Charge Reduced to Probation in Drug Deal Shootout

Felony Menacing and Attempted Assault Dismissed in Road Rage Incident

DUI Actual Physical Control Case Dismissed — Client Was Waiting for Uber

Vehicular Assault (DUI-Related Felony) Reduced to Traffic Infraction

Veteran's Attempted Homicide and Vehicular Assault Charges Dismissed After PTSD Mitigation Defense