Sean Michael McCarthy

PRO

Sean Michael McCarthy

also known as Sean

4.2
Rating: 4.8

Licensed for 34 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Arvada, CO
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Juvenile ... +2 more

Po Box 2156, Arvada, CO

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2012
See Details

Free Consultation

About Sean

Biography

I am a former Colorado deputy district attorney with more than 25 years of jury trial experience.

I represent those accused of DUI/DUID, DWAI, domestic violence and sex crimes in Metro Denver.

I represent those accused of DUI/DUID and DWAI in Metro Denver courts.

I represent juveniles accused of delinquency offenses.

I represent those accused of Indecent Exposure and SAC (Sexual Assault on a Child) offenses.

I represent those accused of DV (Domestic Violence) offenses.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 20%

I handle those accused of criminal offenses. I possess more than twenty-five (25) years of experience in criminal defense litigation. I have tried approximately one hundred twenty-five (125) jury cases in municipal, county and district court.

32 years

20%
DUI and DWI 20%

I handle cases for those accused of DUI, DUID, DWAI and CO DMV license revocation. Remember, there is a deadline to request a CO DMV revocation hearing. (Request that the police officer be present at the hearing).

32 years

20%
Juvenile Law 20%

I represent juveniles charged in juvenile delinquency matters including violent offenses.

32 years

20%
Sex Crime 20%

I represent those accused of indecent exposure, SAC and other CO sex offense violations.

32 years

20%
Violent Crime 20%

I handle those accused of domestic violence (DV) in both misdemeanor and felony cases. I also represent those accused of restraining order violations.

32 years

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 20 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

Licenses

Licensed in Colorado for 34 years

State: Colorado

Acquired: 1991

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2012

Location

Law Offices of Sean Michael McCarthy

Po Box 2156, Arvada, CO, 80001-2156

mccarthycriminaldefense.com/

Sean Michael McCarthy's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

5 star (4)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Gina | December 1, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Helped when no else would

Sean helped me when no other lawyer would help me bc I'm a disabled woman w/little $$, and I AM SO GRATEFUL! His years of experience, and his support & representation made all the difference. Thank you.

Posted by Jeff | November 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

I could not have asked for a better, more qualified attorney

Let me just start by saying Sean McCarthy has exceeded my expectations. Which frankly I didn't know what to expect, see I had failed to qualify for a public defender, and at their office I was given a list of low pay - slow pay former public defenders who are now attorneys Still not thinking ...that I could afford an attorney I waited until the last minute and then called 3-4 of them at random. Sean is the only one who called me back with an affordable and easy to pay offer, of course I hired him immediately. My experience since then has been overwhelmingly exceptional Sean gave me confidence, and most importantly hope. His knowledge of the proceedings and what to expect were comforting to me. Sean was on point and asked me all the right questions. Sean presented my case so effectively, and so gave me the confidence to also present myself to the judge with dignity and self-respect, and the results were that my case was dismissed, which I was hoping for, but not expecting. I will of course be saving Sean's contact info, (hoping that I never need it), but if I do he'll be the one that I'm calling Sincerely Jeff O

Posted by anonymous | October 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

This wonderful gentleman saved my life!

Sean took on my case after I fired 3 other so-called lawyers, who were trying to push me to pleading guilty. He found a defense for me, and all 6 charges were dismissed. I at first has a public defender who constantly belittled me, and said I was going to do prison time. This guy was working with the... judge and police to convict me , so I fired him. The next lawyer I hired was worthless quoted me one price for a defiance, and then wanting a huge sum to continue representing me. This previous lawyer again wanted to plead me guilty if I paid him and additional 15 k With A GUY LIKE THIS I WOULD HAVE GONE TO PRISION!! iIFIRED HIM. THE THIRD LAWYER I HIRED QUOTED ONE PRICE AND WANTED AN OUTRAGEOUS SUM TO CONTINUE. I FIRED HIM. Sean gave me an ultimate defense. If you are charged with a crime, the one and only friend you will find is him. The judge in the case allowed cops to lie and submit false statements, and of course the judge permitted it. My case lasted about three years, but in the end, I am a free man. Sean's fees were reasonable, and I was allowed to submit payments to him. I found that Mr. McCarthy is a very humble, low-key lawyer that would represent you and you do not have to pay for a million-dollar penthouse used by other attorneys. I would call My Mcarthy a friend of mine, and he is trustworthy, He basically gave me a defiance I dreamed of. He has done maybe 175 trials, and he is extremely intelligent and well-educated. If your freedom is in danger, there is no better lawyer in my book then Sean . He is an outstanding attorney

Posted by Paul | September 24, 2024 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Efficient legal advice

Mr. McCarthy did not waste my time when it comes to offering legal counsel. He asks good questions, gives direct feedback and will work extra hours to complete the task.

Posted by anonymous | April 11, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Awful representation

Was assigned to be a public defender for my in my case. Did not care about the case obviously, did not even view the video evidence i provided him, lied to me. Basically an extension of the DA's office. Should not be allowed to practice law.

See All Client Reviews

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Experience

Rating:  4.8 (Concern)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2012.

Suspension issued in CO, 2012

updated on 11/25/2018

Suspension means an attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Sean’s comment:

“I experienced a string of personal problems in Fall 2010. I fully reimbursed both former clients with interest.”

Sample of Legal Cases

Sexual Assault

Dismissed by the prosecution

Municipal Court

Not Guilty verdict at Jury Trial

Domestic Violence

Jury trial acquittal

Criminal Mischief

Not Guilty verdict at Jury Trial

Indecent Exposure

Not Guilty (Acquittal)

See More Legal Cases

Education

1988

New England Law Boston

J.D.

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2012
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution