Hiring a criminal defense attorney can feel like a gamble, and common wisdom says, “the house always wins.” But not every wager is made equal. Unlike at the roulette wheel, a good lawyer’s preparation, skill, and experience really can make all the difference.
Sometimes, the house misses what’s right under its nose.
When Greg* came to Lindstrom Law, he felt like he was facing down a giant. As he later described it, he was “David in front of Goliath,” with both the State and a major corporation appearing determined to make an example of him. He was employed as a dealer at a casino, where he was accused of gambling on the job. According to the house, Greg had been letting his dealer tips ride from hand to hand of blackjack as “bets,” allegedly violating the Colorado Limited Gaming Act:
“It is unlawful for any person holding a key employee or support license to participate in limited gaming in the gaming establishment where the licensee is employed or in any other gaming establishment owned by the licensee’s employer; except that the licensee may participate in limited gaming if the participation is performed as part of the licensee’s employment responsibilities.”
CRS § 44-30-814 (2)
Greg was investigated by the Gaming Commission, law enforcement, and his own employer. He was forced to surrender his gaming license. If the house had its way, he would face misdemeanor charges, potential jail time, a criminal record, and the near certainty that he would never work in a casino again.
By all appearances, the chips were stacked against him. There was video footage, witness interviews, investigative reports, and high-end fisheye surveillance that allegedly captured everything.
But Greg maintained from day one that he had done nothing wrong. He did not want a plea deal for a crime he did not commit. As he put it, “If I wanted a plea bargain, I wouldn’t have hired you.”
So the case moved toward trial.
The House may have an edge. Here, however, it was overconfidence that proved costly.
Three critical errors unraveled what once appeared to be an overwhelming case.
First, the Gaming Investigator never activated his required body-worn camera during interactions with Greg or alleged witnesses, as mandated by CRS § 24-31-902. Second, the surveillance footage contained no audio and did not depict any clearly unlawful conduct. Third, the district attorney called no witnesses other than the Gaming Investigator.
Together, these failures created a catastrophic evidentiary gap. Without body-worn camera footage, statements from witnesses and Greg were inadmissible. Without audio, any alleged spoken misconduct vanished. Without firsthand witnesses, there was no competent testimony establishing unlawful activity.
What once looked like a mountain of evidence became something very different.
Less than a week before trial, after a direct and professional conversation with the district attorney, the case was dismissed. As Greg later recalled, “On the Friday before my Jury Trial, he called me back with excellent news; he was successfully able to get the case dropped.”
So, what made the difference?
Preparation. Attention to detail. A willingness to challenge assumptions. And a commitment to treating clients like people, not case numbers.
Greg shared that throughout the process, he felt heard and supported. “Tim listened to my story, treated me like a person and handled my case like a caring professional.” Facing criminal charges is frightening, but having an attorney who understands what is at stake and is willing to fight to the end changes everything.
The house may have an edge.
But sometimes, with the right strategy and the right advocate, the house doesn’t win.
*Name changed to protect client privacy.
Attorney Ryan Vossler graduated cum laude from the College of William & Mary and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Richmond School of Law. With a background in private investigation, security, and criminal defense, he brings a well-rounded perspective to complex cases and believes strongly in justice, equity, and second chances.
