ANDERSON CARNAHAN - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Lawyer

Originally from Washington state, I moved to Colorado in 1998 and am proud to make Colorado Springs my home. I graduated from Colorado Springs Christian High School in 2002, received my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2006, and graduated from the Western New England University School of Law in 2010. While in law school, I was selected for an internship at the Hampden County District Attorney's office and worked as a prosecutor under Massachusetts' law. When home in Colorado, I interned at the 4 th Judicial District Attorney's Office. In 2010, after passing the bar on my first attempt, the 4th Judicial DA's office hired me as a full time prosecutor. I was assigned to the El Paso County Court, handling misdemeanors and traffic cases. In 2011, I volunteered for a placement as the lone Deputy DA for the Teller County Court, handling all misdemeanor, traffic, and juvenile cases for Teller County. This has given me a familiarity with Teller County law enforcement and courts that few have. Eventually, I returned to the El Paso County District Court , to prosecute serious felony cases. Together, Mr. Anderson and Mr. Cook have the ability to successfully represent clients in various areas of law. They will work aggressively to defend clients who are facing DUI charges, domestic violence charges and felony charges. If you have been arrested in Colorado, do not assume you can face charges in court without legal representation. The attorneys at Anderson & Carnahan will work to ensure that you receive a fair trial, as well as a fair outcome.

Job Titles:

• Air Force JAG Officer
• Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Attorney

After serving a four year enlistment as an infantry sergeant, I elected to go to law school instead of Ranger school. Reluctantly, I left Colorado and attended Southwestern Law School, participating in the honors mock trial program and ultimately a judicial internship with the Honorable Robert M. Takasugi, United States District Court Judge, Central District of California. I graduated in 1984 and was successful on passing the California Bar on the first attempt. I was recruited out of law school by Bottum, Rady and Faliton as an associate in a rapidly growing insurance defense firm specializing in civil litigation. In my first year of practice I tried my first civil jury trial and after three weeks, the jury agreed my client was not responsible for the plaintiff's damages. I was fortunate enough to get involved in police litigation where officers were accused of violating people's civil rights and was immersed in police tactics, training, and protocols. In addition, I was certified by Los Angeles Police Department to conduct horizontal gaze nystagmus testing to detect alcohol impairment in suspected intoxicated drivers. After four years of practice in California, I was ready to return to Colorado Springs. I applied to the El Paso County District Attorney's office, awaiting Colorado Bar results. However, without results until October 1988, I was actually recruited by both the Army and Air Force Judge Advocates program. I was blessed to join the ranks as an Air Force JAG officer and assigned to Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. In four years I had risen to the rank of Chief Trial Counsel advising the Commander of criminal prosecution and conducting over twenty court martials. In addition, I also coached Falcon High School's first mock trial program and successfully brought an all female team of student litigators to the Colorado State championship, taking second in state. While in the Air Force, I was involved in the El Paso County Bar association, and was recruited by Jeanne Smith, Assistant District Attorney to join in civilian prosecutions. In slightly over two years I had conducted over one hundred jury trials to completion, argued on behalf of the people before the Colorado Supreme Court, and was instrumental in training countless young lawyers to become strong advocates. During this time I became engaged to a Deputy District Attorney and decided it was time to establish my own firm. In October 1994, I married Joy Carnahan and set up my firm the same month. Over these past nineteen years we have had the privilege of representing countless clients at a time when their legal troubles were overwhelming their lives.