Any suggestions on how one would "get an attorney who knows his business"? Perhaps in the Denver area.
I would call numerous attorneys who DO NOT have anyone in their office who practices criminal defense and ask for a referral. (If you call a law firm who has a criminal defense attorney, of course they will "highly recommend" their guy.) After about 10 calls to family lawyers, estate planners, and real estate attorneys, you should start getting the same one or two names being recommended to you.
Another method I recommend is to talk to cops and see who they recommend. Cops sometimes need legal help, either for themselves or their wives or their kids. There's always one or two lawyers who the cops use in a given geographical area. They use who they do, because that guy is likely a former prosecutor with a few local connections that help him get good deals. If a good deal can't be had, he's also good in the courtroom. But, the cops should know.
These aren't foolproof tactics for finding a lawyer, but they are way better than just taking shots in the dark.
