Colorado DUI Lawyer
A drunk driving arrest can cause significant disruption to an individual's life. You may lose your driving privileges, be forced to pay fines, or even be subject to jail time. It is important to consult with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible to for your rights and defending against the charges. The law office of Philip M. Smith, Attorney at Law, can help. For a free initial consultation with an experienced DUI/DWAI defense attorney, contact my Denver criminal law office.
Colorado Drunk Driving Charges
As an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer, I am able to help clients at the administrative level challenging license suspension and at the criminal level defending against the charges. In many cases, you have only seven days from the date of your arrest to preserve your rights to an administrative hearing. Time is of the essence. The following summarizes Colorado's drunk driving charges:
- DWAI: If you are tested to have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) between .05 and .08, you may be issued a citation for Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI). This could include impairment by drugs or alcohol.
- DUI: If you have a BAC of .08 or higher, you may face charges for Driving Under the Influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI).
- Minor in Possession (MIP): If you are a minor caught in possession of alcohol, whether you are driving or not, the penalties can include loss of driving privileges, fines and community service.
Minimizing Colorado Drunk Driving Penalties
The possible penalties for a drunk driving conviction are enhanced based on elevated BAC levels, number of offenses, breathalyzer refusal, or other circumstances. If you have been stopped for drunk driving, it is imperative that you immediately request a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Otherwise your license may be automatically suspended. I use my skills as a defense lawyer to help clients obtain a probationary license if their driving privileges are suspended and work aggressively to challenge the evidence against them, such as:
- Was there reasonable suspicion for the stop?
- Was there probable cause during contact?
- Was there probable cause for the arrest established during the contact?
- Did the police follow proper procedure?
- Can the impairment be proved?
- Did the machine malfunction?
- Can evidence be suppressed?
Contact Me
In Colorado, there are strict laws involving drinking and driving. Regardless of the charges you face, it is important to speak with an attorney. For a free initial consultation with an experienced Denver drunk driving defense attorney, contact me today.
