Ben is one of very few attorneys in the State of Colorado or Wyoming who has experience as both a Prosecutor and a Public Defender before becoming a private attorney. After three years as a prosecutor, Ben was elevated to handling exclusively serious felony cases. In prosecuting felony cases, Ben never lost a single felony jury trial and distinguished himself as a trial attorney. Ben maintained positive and professional relationships as a prosecutor and was recruited by a peer to join the Public Defender’s Office as a defense attorney.
For five years, Ben worked as a defense attorney in the Public Defender’s Office of Wyoming. Ben began working a combination of felony, misdemeanor, DUI, and juvenile cases. After 2 years, Ben’s work became dedicated exclusively to serious felony charges. By the end of Ben’s time at the Public Defender’s Office, he conducted over 40 jury trials, and he is very proud to have won the majority of those trials.
The fact is, most cases never go to trial. They are negotiated in what is called a “plea agreement”. Ben is a master at reading prosecutors and obtaining the best deals for his clients. As a prosecutor, Ben never lost a single felony jury trial. But he knew the right defense may have been successful and now applies that knowledge to his defense strategy. If the case does end up going to trial, Ben is truly in his element.
Ben has obtained acquittals (not guilty verdicts) from juries in many felony cases. Some of these were seen by colleagues as a “slam dunk” for the prosecution, but Ben was able to convince the jury to acquit (find his client not guilty). These acquittals were accomplished by systematically picking the prosecutor’s case to pieces starting with the nearly always flawed police reports, shredding prosecutor’s witnesses and police investigators on the stand, and introducing points of law overlooked by the prosecution. Acquittals have been attained for felony charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, burglary, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault and battery, theft, felony theft, felony child abuse, failure to register as a sex offender, and strangulation.
In addition to felony cases, Ben has successfully defended or negotiated hundreds of cases of DUI, drug possession, traffic violations, and other misdemeanors. Ben is also experienced in the specialty field of defending juveniles.
When you hire Ben Harwich, you are buying his personal qualities with the jury and judge. Ordinary, hard-working people are not impressed with a sophisticated vocabulary. They want clear questions with clear answers, and they want to listen to someone who comes across as a decent human being. Arrogance and intellectual superiority are not admired by juries or judges. Ben has a straightforward style that works.
Ben Harwich brings unmatched insight to criminal defense, shaped by years as both a prosecutor and a public defender before entering private practice. With over 40 jury trials under his belt and a proven record of winning serious felony cases, Ben delivers skilled negotiation, fierce courtroom advocacy, and a down-to-earth approach that resonates with juries and judges alike.
With over 40 jury trials to his name, Ben has secured acquittals in high-stakes felony cases ranging from attempted murder to aggravated assault. His trial experience is backed by a history of success in cases other attorneys considered unwinnable.
Ben Harwich is one of the few attorneys in Colorado and Wyoming to have served as both a felony-level prosecutor and a public defender. This dual perspective equips him with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system from both sides of the courtroom.
Ben leverages his prosecutorial background to negotiate favorable outcomes in cases unlikely to reach trial. His ability to anticipate prosecutorial tactics often results in reduced charges or alternative sentencing for his clients.
Ben is known for his clear, direct communication style and professional courtroom demeanor. Judges and juries respond to his credibility, legal insight, and ability to present complex issues with clarity and integrity.