Compassionate and vigorous litigation and criminal defense

Ruth Summers represents clients in criminal and civil court at all stages of the legal system, including those involved in investigations as targets or witnesses. Ms. Summers has handled hundreds of criminal and juvenile cases and has won not guilty verdicts and dismissals on a wide range of charges, including DUI, drug charges, domestic violence, assault, vehicular assault, aggravated robbery, sexual assault, and first-degree murder.
Ms. Summers has won appeals in the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

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Jerry L., Denver

Ruth Summers saved my life.

KAREN C. – OAKLAND, CA

We found ourselves in a situation where we needed legal representation for our daughter. The first call I made was to a relative of ours who is a detective in Colorado.
She recommended Ruth Summers without hesitation and said if she needed a criminal lawyer, that’s who she would use. (…)

NATALIE D. – BOULDER, CO

Ruth Summers was patient and professional as she helped us through a difficult legal situation. She was straightforward and honest with us, and had a calming way of describing the details of our case that made us feel confident about how to proceed (…)

practice areas

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Criminal and Juvenile Defense

Ms. Summers has spent fifteen years defending clients against charges and punishment. In 2017, Ms. Summers and co-counsel won a full acquittal for their client charged with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery. (…)

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Civil Litigation

We will strive to win a favorable and cost-effective outcome in your civil dispute – through negotiation, litigation, mediation or arbitration. “Ruth Summers has been a savior and helped bring closure to a really terrible time for me. (…)

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Appeals and Post-conviction Relief

Ms. Summers has assisted clients with direct appeals, petitions to the Colorado Supreme Court, and post-conviction matters in the trial court including wrongful convictions, harsh sentences, collateral consequences, and record sealing. (…)

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LIFE INSURANCE CLAIMS AFTER SUICIDE

Whether a life insurance company can legally deny a claim on the basis of suicide depends on where the policy was issued and on specific policy language. We have helped multiple clients in this situation recover the death benefit they (…)

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SUCCESS STORIES

› 2022 – Third Degree Assault-Domestic Violence. Dismissed.

› 2022 – Unlawfully leaving fire unattended – Dismissed

› 2022 – Driving Under Restraint in two separate cases. Both cases dismissed.

› 2022 – Third Degree Assault-Domestic Violence. Dismissed.

› 2022 – Won Division of Motor Vehicles refusal hearing preventing one-year suspension of client’s driver’s license in DUI case.

› 2022 – Larimer County – Convinced law enforcement to close pending felony theft investigation with no charges.

› 2022 – El Paso County – Client charged with Violation of Criminal Protection Order, Domestic Violence – Dismissed and Sealed

› 2022 – Juvenile in possession of controlled substance. Dismissed.

› 2022 – Driving Under Restraint. Dismissed.

› 2022 – Won Division of Motor Vehicles hearing shortening license suspension by 9 months.

› 2022 – Harassment-Strike/Shove/Kick-Domestic Violence. Dismissed.

› 2022 – Negligent Child Abuse. Dismissed.

› 2022 – Driving Under Alcohol-Related Restraint. Dismissed

› 2022 – Obstructing a Peace Officer and Criminal Trespass. Dismissed.

› 2021 – Evading Interlock Device. Dismissed.

› 2021 – Second Degree Assault, Crime of Violence–Domestic Violence. Dismissed.

› 2021 – Won post-conviction relief resulting in removal of Sexually Violent Predator designation.

› 2021 – Won suppression hearing, resulting in dismissal of DUI charge.

› 2021 – Disorderly Conduct–Fighting in Public. Dismissed.

› 2021 – Won post-conviction relief resulting in 10-year reduction of prison sentence and client’s release from prison.

› 2021 – Won Division of Motor Vehicles hearing in DUI case, preventing suspension of Driver’s License.

› 2021 – Won Division of Motor Vehicles hearing in DUI case, preventing extension of Interlock requirement.

› 2021 – Client charged with Protection Order Violation while on probation in two other cases. Client received $100 fine and no revocation of probation.

› 2021 - Client charged with Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felony Menacing. Client received deferral to misdemeanor resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges.

› 2020 – Persuaded the Colorado Supreme Court that insurance statute violated constitution, resulting in payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars in life insurance benefits to clients.

› 2020 – Persuaded the Colorado Court of Appeals that the trial court was wrong to deny her client’s post-conviction claims without a hearing.

› 2020 – Client charged with Possession / Consumption of Marijuana by a Minor. All charges DISMISSED and case sealed.

› 2020 – Client charged with Felony Menacing, Felony Trespass, and Criminal Mischief. All charges DISMISSED and case sealed.

› 2020 – Client charged with DUI–Second Offense. Client received deferral to DWAI resulting in DISMISSAL of all charges.

› 2020 – Won binding Arbitration Award plus attorneys fees for business client in Boulder County.

› 2020 – Secured release for her client to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in his home due to high health risk related to COVID-19.

› 2019 Boulder – Client charged with Felony Possession of Cocaine. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2019 Boulder – Client charged with False Imprisonment and Harassment, Domestic Violence. All charges DISMISSED

› 2019 - Juvenile client charged with three separate Aggravated Robberies. Persuaded government that client should not be transferred to adult court.

› 2019 Summit County – Client charged with Felony Menacing. Client received deferral to misdemeanor, resulting in dismissal and sealing of charges.

› 2019 Persuaded government that client charged with First-Degree Murder should be treated as a juvenile, resulting in dismissal of all adult charges.

› 2018 Louisville Municipal Court – Client charged with reckless driving after collision. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2018 Douglas County – Client charged with Felony Criminal Mischief. Client received deferral to misdemeanor, resulting in DISMISSAL and sealing of all charges.

› 2018 Defended licensure complaint against nurse practitioner, resulting in DISMISSAL of Complaint.

› 2018 – Client investigated for hit and run. Persuaded law enforcement not to seek charges on client.

› 2018 – Client charged with Assault and Battery. Client received deferral resulting in DISMISSAL and sealing of entire case.

› 2018 – Client charged with Assault and Battery, Domestic Violence. Client received deferral resulting in DISMISSAL of entire case.

› 2017 Denver – Client charged with First Degree Murder, Felony Murder, and Aggravated Robbery. NOT GUILTY on all counts after jury trial.

› 2017 Denver – Client charged with felony possession of heroin. Client received deferral to misdemeanor DISMISSAL and sealing of entire case.

› 2017 Boulder – Client charged with DUI. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2017 Boulder - Persuaded government that client’s trial attorney was ineffective. Client’s charge changed to a petty offense.

› 2017 Boulder – Civil protection order against client VACATED.

› 2017 – Client charged with Protection Order Violation. Client received plea to petty offense.

› 2016 Boulder – Client charged with Felony Possession of Burglary Tools and Theft. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2016 Boulder – Client charged with Assault, Domestic Violence. All charged DISMISSED.

› 2015 Jefferson County – Client charged with DUI. All alcohol-related charges dismissed. Client received plea to careless driving.

› 2014 Denver – Client charged with Careless Driving and other traffic-related charges after collision. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2014 Jefferson County – Client charged with Felony Menacing on a police officer. All felony charged dismissed. Client received plea to misdemeanor.

› 2013 Jefferson County – Client charged with Manslaughter and Felony Assault as a Habitual Criminal. NOT GUILTY on all felony counts after jury trial.

› 2012 Jefferson County – Client charged with Sexual Assault-Force. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2012 Jefferson County – Client charged with Felony Forgery and Criminal Impersonation. All charged DISMISSED.

› 2012 Jefferson County – Persuaded court that client’s indeterminate life sentence for Sexual Assault was unconstitutional, resulting in re-sentencing and release from prison.

› 2011 Jefferson County – Client charged with Sexual Assault on a Child – Pattern. NOT GUILTY on all charges after jury trial.

› 2011 Jefferson County – Client charged with Felony Vehicular Assault. NOT GUILTY on all felony counts after jury trial.

› 2011 Jefferson County – Won probation revocation hearing for client facing prison sentence for violating “SOISP” sex offender probation.

› 2010 Jefferson County – Client charged with Internet Luring of a Child. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2010 Colorado Springs – Client charge with Felony Trespass and Harassment, Domestic Violence. NOT GUILTY after jury trial.

› 2010 Colorado Springs – Juvenile client charged with First-Degree Murder. Persuaded court not to transfer case to adult court.

› 2010 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Felony Witness Intimidation and Protection Order Violation. All charges DISMISSED after defense motion to dismiss was granted.

› 2010 Colorado Springs – Client charged with 9 charges, including Felony Menacing, Harassment, Violation of Protection Order, Telephone Obstruction, False Imprisonment, and Domestic Violence Habitual Offender. NOT GUILTY on all charges after jury trial.

› 2010 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. All charges DISMISSED after defense motion to suppress was granted.

› 2010 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Sexual Assault with Force. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2009 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Felony Identify Theft. NOT GUILTY on all charges after jury trial.

› 2009 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. All charges DISMISSED after defense motion to suppress was granted.

› 2008 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Violation of Protection Order. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2008 Colorado Springs – Client charged with DUI. Won suppression of blood test results, resulting in plea to non-alcohol offense.

› 2008 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Assault and Criminal Mischief, Domestic Violence. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2008 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Harassment and Telephone Obstruction. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2008 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Assault and Harassment, Domestic Violence. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with DUI. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2007 Colorado Springs - Client charged with Assault and Criminal Use of a Noxious Substance. NOT GUILTY after jury trial.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Driving After Revocation as a Habitual Traffic Offender and Possession of Marijuana. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Assault, Domestic Violence. NOT GUILTY at trial.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Violation of Protection Order. NOT GUILTY after jury trial.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Careless Driving and No Insurance. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Ownership of a Dangerous Dog. All charges DISMISSED.

› 2007 Colorado Springs – Client charged with Driving Under Revocation in two separate cases. Both cases DISMISSED.

practice areas

Criminal and Juvenile Defense

Civil Litigation

Appeals and Post-conviction Relief

LIFE INSURANCE CLAIMS AFTER SUICIDE

SUCCESS STORIES

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