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Franz P. Frechette
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About Franz
Biography
I have been practicing law for 25 years. Since 1996, I have litigated criminal defense cases, plaintiffs and defendants’ personal injury cases, civil rights cases, breach of contract cases, as well as counseling clients on estate planning, probate law, contract negotiations, land use law and public land & environmental law. My focus is on criminal defense, most of which consists of DUI defense, civil matters, estate planning and appellate law.
As a practical and personal matter, I aim to treat each and every client as the unique person he or she deserves to be treated -- with respect, straight-talk and with the understanding that his/her case is not just a file but represents extremely important interests of a fellow human being. Each person deserves my hardest efforts, a willingness and ability to fight the good fight, creative thought, and as much time and effort to ensure the best possible outcome. I approach the practice of law from the practical and realistic perspective of my clients while maintaining the utmost respect for the rule of law, our Constitution as well as for those who are privileged enough to administer these important institutions.
As George Eliot once wrote: "What do we live for but to make like less difficult for each other," one cannot overlook the fact that life can be extraordinarily difficult for all from time to time. And secondly, because the rule of law is the bedrock of our civilization, the practice of law merges two of what I consider the most profound and honorable labors of love - protecting and furthering our individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution for present and future generations while being uniquely positioned to simply help others. I am extremely fortunate and humbled to be able to make a living in such a way because I love what I do, and I find that my clients benefit from this.
- Franz P. Frechette, Esq.
Experienced, dedicated, reliable representation. Personable and professional with an eagle eye to detail and a big picture sensibility.
DUI - a serious charge, a complex process, short timeframes within which to act. Contact me for help
Criminal matters of ANY kind are not be taken lightly - get the help you need as soon as possible.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
DUI and DWI
80%
30 years
Criminal Defense
20%
30 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
Awards
2026 2015 2014
Licenses
Licensed in Colorado for 20 years
State: Colorado
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Hampshire for 24 years
State: New Hampshire
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Licensed in Connecticut for 29 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Licensed in Vermont for 46 years
State: Vermont
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Location
Frechette Law Office
(719) 838-5030
Mobile
295 Fifth Street, Suite #5, PO Box 1615, Fairplay, CO, 80440
avvo.com/attorneys/80440-co-franz-frechette-1419959.htmlGallery
Franz P. Frechette's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 55 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Greg | January 29, 2026 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly recommended
Was recommended to franz and it was a great experience having him there for my lawyer He made himself available to me 24/7 as I work out of state and my travel schedule was always hectic At the end of the issue I now consider franz as a friend
Posted by Lisa | January 29, 2026 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Qualification, experience, professionalism
Franz Frechette, provided his expert advice. His attention to detail, qualification and experience along with professional achievements, he was firmly determined to resolve my issue in a timely manner. Trust the care of this expert. Franz Frechette is the best in his field.
Posted by Sam | January 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Good advice.
Competent, professional service at a reasonable fee. He helped me out. Recommended.
Posted by anonymous | January 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A lawyer who is not the stereotypical norm.
I must admit, when I first hired Franz Frechette, I was terrified. Not of him, but of the mess I had gotten myself into! Franz was able to clearly explain all the ins & outs of every aspect of the legal process- from soup to nuts - as they say. And would rephrase explanations until I did understan...
Posted by Michael | January 28, 2026 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Rock solid attorney
I found Mr. Frechette to be professional, effective, and efficient. He handled my case successfully and was a good listener. I found his counsel invaluable.
Franz P. Frechette's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Franz for several years and have collaborated with him on a variety of DUI issues. Franz is dedicated to ensuring his clients are treated fairly and respectfully. Franz crafts creative and tailored defenses for each case and each client. His passion for the law is evident in is approach to all in the legal profession."
"Franz is an excellent lawyer. I find his work to be inspired and creative. He works hard for his clients. I enjoy discussing issues with him - I think we both learn from the other."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Franz for years, and I cannot give him a higher endorsement. He is dedicated to his clients and does everything he ethically can to represent them. Franz is extremely intelligent and frequently thinks "outside the box" to assist his clients."
"Franz is a well known and respected DUI and appellate lawyer in Colorado. Franz combines superb and thorough research with clear writing skills, and makes the compelling and winning argument for his clients. Franz is always prepared when he makes his argument, through and including legislative history, and will not be caught off guard. He is committed unequivocally to fighting for the right and just result for his clients. I enthusiastically endorse Franz Frechette to anyone needing a DUI/DWAI lawyer, an administrative lawyer, or an appellate lawyer in Colorado."
"Franz Frechette has been on the cutting edge of DMV/DUI law for many years. Through his diligence, tenacity and attention to detail, Mr. Frechette has achieved many victories through the years. I am most familiar with his accomplishments in the area of DMV/DUI law as he is part of the criminal defense community and we share membership in the same listserv. Mr. Frechette has achieved success in the challenging and tough area of DMV appellate law. Franz Frechette is dedicated to striving for positive results for his clients."
"I am happy to endorse Mr. Frechette. He is a lawyer that is widely respected and I personally know him to fight with everything he has for his clients. One of the most admirable traits (aside from him being a great guy) is that he will work and work to find a solution to help his client. His creativity in motions and appellate work are traits that serve his clients well. Superb lawyer and man."
"I have come to know Franz Frechette over many years in the ciminal defense community. Franz is one of those few attorneys that has the unique ability to combine razor-sharp legal analysis and an unwavering dedication to his clients with a down-to-earth professionalism. This combination allows Franz to be highly effective in representing his clients, whether in a trial, arguing a case on appeal, or negotiating with opposing counsel. Franz is not just a great attorney, but a person of the highest integrity and character and a genuinely nice human being, to boot! I whole-heartedly endorse Franz!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Franz is a fine lawyer and a pleasure to work with."
"I endorse Franz Frechette very highly. I worked with Franz on a contract case for about 18 months. Through the entire process he proved to be passionate about the needs of our client and tireless in his effort to provide the best representation possible. He critically analyzes the facts from the perspective of both sides, providing a realistic outcome expectation. Franz is always cordial, fair minded and has an knack for identifying details that ultimately prove to be critical to the case. Franz Frechette has a through understanding of the law, thinks critically and drafts his arguments masterfully. The appellate brief he presented in our case was an impressive legal document, in a case of first impression in Colorado where we prevailed on appeal. There are few attorneys who would have achieved the favorable results that Franz did in this matter."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Franz is a lawyer's lawyer in that he is not only zealous about the law itself but also has an unsurpassed drive to provide his clients with the most thought-out and earnest representation possible."
"Mr. Frechette and I have shared office space for over a year now and I have had many opportunities to work with him and witness his abilities as an attorney. Mr. Frechette is an extremely professional and detail oriented attorney. His work is consistently meticulous and he truly has a knack for statutory interpretations, logical reasoning and bringing it all together in extremely well written legal briefs (although never brief.) Additionally, I have gotten to know Franz over the course of the year and will wholeheartedly endorse his character and integrity. I endorse this lawyer and his work."
"I endorse this lawyer's work as I have known Franz for over twenty years as both a friend and colleague. He is exceptionally bright and thorough in his approach to cases and extremely articulate before the court. His strength as a litigator is his ability to react quickly and adjust his strategy as needed when confronted with the evidence. He is also one of the toughest people I know and is never afraid to take on a challenge. If you need a lawyer, you're in good hands with Atty. Franz Frechette."
"I have been in the criminal defense / law enforcement field for almost 30 years. In addition, I help train many of the criminal law / DUI attorneys throughout Colorado. Franz has impressed me so much that I often seek out his opinion and I am not hesitant to refer work to him. I would only refer clients to an attorney who I believed was at the top of their game. Not ony is Franz an excellent trial attorney, his appellate practice is top notch. Franz is a great choice for representation."
"Many years ago I noticed this attorney who I did not know and had not met saying by far the most intelligent things and making by far the best legal points of over 700 attorneys on a shared criminal defense attorney list-serve. To say that he quickly caught my attention as a top flight attorney would be an understatement. Since that time I cannot tell you how much I have learned from Franz. And I would not hesitate to refer a friend or anyone to him if they had a criminal matter."
Barre Sakol
Criminal defense lawyer
Mary McCluskey
Criminal defense lawyer
Barry Lancaster
Criminal defense lawyer
Bruce Sarbaugh
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Bonnie Amendola
Family lawyer
Craig Small
General practice lawyer
Gary Pirosko
DUI and DWI lawyer
Christopher Cessna
DUI and DWI lawyer
Experience
Honors
2023
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2016
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Top Attorney, American Law Institute of DUI Attorneys
2009
NHTSA Standard Field Sobriety Testing Practioner, Platt & Associates
2007
Pro Bono Award, Boulder County Bar Association
2006
Pro Bono Award, Boulder County Bar Association
2004
Certificate of Recognition, Big Brothers Big Sisters
1996
Academic Excellence Award, Vermont Law School
Work Experience
2005 - Present
Attorney/Owner, Frechette Law Office (CO)
2002 - 2005
Attorney/Owner, Frechette Law Office (VT/NH)
2000 - 2002
Associate Attorney, Kasper & Associates, PLLC
1996 - 2000
Associate Attorney, Frechette & Frechette (CT)
1995 - 1995
Legal Intern, Northern Alaska Environmental Center
1991 - 1992
Law Clerk, National Wildlife Federation
1991 - 1992
Science and Law Intern, Center for International Environmental Law
1989 - 1990
Writer/Public Relations, The Conservancy
1989 - 1991
Assistant Editor, Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies
Associations
2021 - Present
Appellate Practice: ABA Section of Litigation
2021 - Present
Energy Economics Group
2009 - Present
KLACK Legal Assistance for DisadvantagedVolunteer Attorney
2007 - Present
Gilpin County Bar Association
2006 - Present
Colorado Criminal Defense Bar Association
2005 - Present
Colorado Bar Association
2005 - Present
Boulder County Bar Association
2004 - Present
Big Brothers Big SistersBig Brother
2010 - 2016
First Judicial District Judicial Nominating CommissionMember
2009 - 2012
Gilpin County Historical SocietyBoard Member
2005 - 2007
Boulder County Legal ServicesVolunteer Attorney
Sample of Legal Cases
Culp v. Colorado Dep't of Rev., Division of Motor Vehicles
Won the Appeal, overturning lower adjudication which held "substantial compliance" was met.
Flottman et. al. v. Faircloth
Prevailed in a Breach of Contract claim on issue of law never raised before in CO (aka - an "issue of first impression."
Jones v. Dep't of Revenue, DMV
Appellate Judgment in our favor
Rowland v. Dep't of Rev., Div. of Motor Vehicles
Pending before the Colorado Supreme Court
Education
1996
Vermont Law School
Juris Doctor
1992
Vermont Law School
Master's Degree in Environmental Law
1989
Hobart College
Bachelor of Arts
Publications
2015
Colorado DUI Defense Bar
Colorado DMV DUI Issues: Basics to Spececific Issues
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How do I file an objection to an appeal? I received a Notice of Completion of Record on Appeal and 14 days to file an objection.
14 Mar 2014
Q&A
I have a traumatic brain injury, officer said I failed DUI roadsides. Are they targeting medication? I have ADHD.
16 Mar 2014