Attorney Profile

Mr. McKinstry is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated Attorney and a former Marine Corps Captain. His peers have ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.

Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation

Meet Patrick McKinstry

Colorado Criminal Defense Attorney

criminal defense attorney sitting on marble steps of a building

For more than fifteen years Mr. McKinstry has litigated in district, county, juvenile, traffic and municipal Courts in the Denver metropolitan area. He has first-chaired nearly one hundred and fifty jury trials, and hundreds of trials to the Court.

Mr. McKinstry is a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s National Session, an intensive two-week trial training program, as well as the Colorado Bar Association’s Leadership Training program.

Mr. McKinstry is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated Attorney for 2021. His peers have ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence for legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.

Mr. McKinstry earned his law degree and MBA at Arizona State University.

Prior to law school, Mr. McKinstry served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He spent his career in the Marines as a logistician and Aide-de-Camp. Mr. McKinstry was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain after his time in the Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Mr. McKinstry is a fourth-generation Coloradan. His family ranched on the Western slope, and raised champion Arabian horses. His grandfather trained with the legendary 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale, and fought in Italy’s Apennine Mountains in 1945.

Learn more about Mr. McKinstry

  • Education

    J.D. 2002, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University

    M.B.A. 2002, W.P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University

    B.A. 1993, International Affairs, University of Colorado

  • Training

    Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel

    Trial Advocacy Training, February 10–14, 2020

     

    Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training

    January – May, 2015

     

    National Institute for Trial Advocacy

    Deposition Skills, December 5-7, 2013

     

    Colorado District Attorneys’ Council

    Trial Techniques – March 24-28, 2008

     

    National Institute for Trial Advocacy

    National Session, July 7-21, 2007

     

    Marine Corps Combat Development Command

    Basic Officers’ Course, Quantico, VA - 1994

  • Legal Experince

    Denver City Attorney’s Office 2009-2019 

    Assistant City Attorney assigned to prosecution. Handled thousands of criminal cases, general municipal violations, and juvenile offenses. Several years in the Mental Health Unit, litigating mental health certifications, and involuntary commitments.

     

    18th Judicial District – Office of the District Attorney 2007-2009 

    Deputy District Attorney. Prosecuted DUIs, state felonies and misdemeanors, as well as juvenile offenses.

     

    Criminal Defense Firm, Denver Metro Area 2006-2007

    Associate Attorney in a boutique criminal defense firm specializing in DUI, DUI-Drug, DUR, and related violations.

  • Honors

    Mr. McKinstry has twice been selected by the Denver Judicial Nominating Commission to interview with the Mayor of Denver for a Denver County Court Judgeship.

    Mr. McKinstry received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal as a USMC Captain.

    Mr. McKinstry is a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated Attorney for 2021.

city photo

Effective, Client-Centered Criminal Defense in Colorado

  • DUI / DUI Drug
  • State Felony and Misdemeanor
  • Drug Crimes
  • Juvenile Offenses
  • Theft and Burglary
  • Domestic Violence
  • Assault
  • Municipal and Traffic Violations