Denver Criminal Defene Attorney

Jessica M. Schmidt

jessica schmidt criminal defense-5

Associate

Experience:

Jessica Schmidt is an experienced trial attorney whose practice includes criminal, civil, and appellate advocacy in both State and Federal courts.  Ms. Schmidt’s background in both trial and appellate litigation gives her a distinct advantage, particularly with respect to complex criminal prosecutions where she has developed an advanced motions practice.  Ms. Schmidt brings to bear this distinct leverage on all of her cases – big or small –in efforts to reach favorable results for her clients.

Prior to joining Ridley McGreevy & Winocur, Ms. Schmidt was selected by the Honorable Chief Justice Michael Bender of the Colorado State Supreme Court to serve as his law clerk.  During her clerkship, Ms. Schmidt researched and drafted opinions addressing a variety of civil and criminal issues.

 After completing her Supreme Court clerkship, Ms. Schmidt practiced as a deputy Colorado State Public Defender in Arapahoe County for four years, having tried through verdict over twenty jury trials.  During this time, she successfully represented hundreds of clients on both misdemeanor and serious felony cases, including first-degree murder.  Ms. Schmidt was chosen by the state trial office to lead a series of lectures and trainings for lawyers around the state, on topics including DUI defense; forensic DNA evidence, and litigating strategic pre-trial motions.

 In addition to her trial work, Ms. Schmidt has extensive written and oral appellate experience.  She has argued before the Colorado Supreme Court and briefed cases before that Court on petition for certiorari; pursuant to Colorado Appellate Rule 21; and on interlocutory appeal.  Ms. Schmidt has also taken appeals from county courts to district courts and from district courts to the Colorado Court of Appeals.

 During law school, Ms. Schmidt was an Articles Editor on the University of Colorado Law Review.  She also was selected to serve as an extern for the late Federal District Court Judge Phillip Figa; interned at the Colorado Attorney General’s Office where she worked on securities fraud and white collar criminal prosecutions; served as a research assistant for the Criminal Law Clinic; was the President of the Public Interest Student Association ("PISA"); and was a member of the ATLA trial team.

Participation

  • Frequent Lecturer;  Colorado State Public Defenders Office ; 2007 - 2010
  • Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training Class ("COBALT"); 2011
  • COBALT Program's Committee; 2012

Professional Affiliations

  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Colorado Women's Bar Asociation
  • Minoru Yasui Inn of Court

Published Cases

  • People v. Jorlantin, 193 P.3d 258 (Colo. 2008).
  • People v. Williamson, 249 P.3d 801 (Colo. 2011).
  • People v. Smith, 254 P.3d 1158 (Colo. 2011).

Academics

University of Colorado Law 2006

  • Order of the Coif
  • University of Colorado Law Review (Articles Editor)
  • William O. DeSouchet Trial Advocacy Award
  • Public Interest Student Association, President 2005-2006

 

 University of Notre Dame, BA 2002

  • Summa Cum Laude
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)