Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state of Colorado is an extremely serious criminal offense. It is also a criminal offense to operate a motor vehicle if your ability to drive has been impaired by alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement officers use all types of technology and tools to help ascertain whether or not a driver is under the influence or impaired by alcohol, including:
- Field sobriety tests
- Breathalyzer Tests
- Blood Tests
- Urine Tests
All of these tests can all be used to help determine an individual sobriety and blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Any individual who is shown to have a BAC level of 0.08 will be placed under arrest for DUI and will have his or her license suspended by the DMV. Even those drivers who have a BAC between 0.05 and 0.08 may still be arrested for driving while ability impaired (DWAI).
If you are arrested for DUI or DWAI, you can expect to face fines, imprisonment, probation, public service and other such penalties upon conviction. A first-time DWAI conviction will mean between 48 hours and 180 days in jail, a $200-$500 fine, 24-48 hours public service and the addition of 8 points to your DMV record. A first-time DUI will carry a 5 day to 1-year sentence, a $600-$1000 fine, between 48-96 hours public service, the addition of 12 points to your DMV record and the suspension of your driver's license for full 9 months. In both instances court expenses, penalty surcharges and other related fees may also be required. On a rare occasion a person may be able to negotiate having a portion of his or her sentence reduced in exchange for going through a drug or alcohol treatment program.
If you are involved in an accident as a result of your drunk driving the harshness of the penalties you face will be significantly more severe, particularly in cases where people are critically injured or a fatality occurs. In cases such as this, you can expect to face additional charges for vehicular assault and/or vehicular homicide. A conviction for either of these offenses can result in your long-term incarceration, massive fines, the confiscation of your vehicle, the loss of your driver's license and more. Record of the accident and resultant charges/conviction will also go on your permanent criminal record and can have a life-altering impact on your life.
The best chance you have of getting DUI accident-related penalties minimized and the charges you face reduced, dismissed or acquitted at trial is to have an experienced DUI attorney aggressively fighting on your behalf. Attorneys at Lancaster Law Office have had years of experience successfully defending the rights of those accused of all types of DUI-related charges. We understand the impact a conviction for a DUI accident will have on your family, your livelihood and your future and that is why we are here to help you. Our firm is committed to providing you with a well-crafted defense strategy you will need if you hope to avoid conviction. To get started, contact a Boulder DUI attorney immediately.
