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Colorado Springs DUI Cost

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What Does A Colorado DUI Cost?

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A DUI doesn’t just mean that you’ll lose your driving privilege. The DUI cost is significant, usually over $10,000, and you’ll also have to take off of work to attend court appearances, probation meetings, education classes and more. 

If driving is a key job responsibility for your job, you may also lose your job. 

Working with a Colorado DUI lawyer can help you reduce the cost of your DUI and possibly lower the charges against you. The true cost of a DUI is enough to put the average person in significant debt. 

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What Is the True Cost of a DUI in Colorado?  

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The true cost of a DUI is more than just money; it’s your freedom and future prospects. The State of Colorado takes drunk driving very seriously. Fines and fees associated with DUIs in the state have increased – and will only continue to rise. 

Along with monetary costs, offenders also face other costs that can linger for years, including: 

  • Loss of license, making it more difficult for you to get to work. 
  • Job loss. If your job requires you to drive for a living, a DUI conviction means losing your livelihood.  
  • Future employment may be more difficult to secure. Employers may not be comfortable hiring an applicant with a previous DUI conviction. 
  • Background check issues. Employment and even financial aid applications can trigger a background check, and a DUI conviction would appear.  
  • Strained relationships. A DUI arrest and conviction can put a strain on professional, personal and family relationships. You may worry that family and friends will look at you differently. 
  • Difficulty getting an education. Some colleges do not accept students with prior DUI convictions. If the conviction occurs while you are in college, scholarships may be denied or revoked. When applying for college, you may be required to disclose criminal history or agree to a background check. 
  • Your freedom. The biggest DUI cost is your freedom. Even first-time offenders can face time in jail for a DUI conviction.  

These are just the personal costs of a DUI conviction in Colorado. There are also monetary costs associated with a conviction. 

Don’t let one wrong decision impact your life, job or freedom.

Call today for a free case evaluation.

Here Are the Costs Associated with DUI in Colorado Springs:

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According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the average cost of a first DUI in the state is $13,530

What does this cost include? 

  • Auto insurance increase: $3,600 
  • Ignition interlock device rental $2,172 
  • Alcohol/drug education treatment: $1,000 
  • PDD surcharge: $300 
  • Detox/jail: $303 
  • Fine: $600 
  • Probation supervision: $1200 
  • Alcohol/drug evaluation: $200 
  • Victim assistance fund: $163 
  • Towing fee: $175 
  • Car storage fee: $49.2/day 
  • Victim impact program: $50 
  • Restricted license: $26 
  • Instruction permit: $16.80 
  • Brain injury fund fee: $20 
  • Attorney pre-trial fees: $3,650 (on average) 

A DUI can have significant monetary and personal costs. If you are facing DUI charges, it is crucial to hire a Colorado DUI attorney as soon as possible.

How to Reduce the DUI Cost in Colorado 

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Colorado’s Department of Transportation is strict on DUI offenses. When a person goes to court and decides to represent themselves, they’ll spend $10,000 or more. The costs can be much higher for each subsequent DUI. 

If you want to reduce your DUI costs, your best course of action is to avoid a conviction. 

One of the most serious mistakes drivers make is pleading guilty. An experienced attorney can make a strong argument on your behalf to lower your costs and the potential conviction. When we represent clients, we start the process by: 

  • Listening to your story 
  • Gathering and following the available evidence 
  • Strategizing on the best method to reduce your charges 

Prosecutors must, beyond a reasonable doubt, prove that you’re guilty. The burden of proof allows your attorney to build a strong defense that casts doubt on the allegations. 

A few of the many ways that we may build a defense on your behalf include: 

  • Undermine the credibility of the witness 
  • Question the accuracy of the test results 
  • Question the validity of the evidence 
  • Question the legal reason for the stop
  • Question the procedure surrounding the tests
  • Question whether you were legal presumed to be driving or not

Reducing the charges against you is the best way to reduce the costs related to a DUI. 

Is It Worth It to Hire a Colorado Springs DUI Lawyer?

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Hiring a DUI lawyer is an upfront expense that a lot of drivers are reluctant to make, but hiring a lawyer is a worthwhile investment. A lawyer is there to help reduce your charges, potentially saving you from losing your license, and the lawyer will also try to have the costs reduced. 

Your chances of eliminating the charges against you, or reducing the sentence significantly, increase when you’re working with a lawyer. 

Unless you are a lawyer with experience, you can expect costs of $13,000 or more. Not only does hiring a lawyer help you reduce that case, the lawyer will also try to reduce the appearances that you need to make in: 

  • Court 
  • Alcohol education classes 
  • Community service 
  • Service appointments for your interlock service appointment 
  • More 

If your lawyer is able to reduce or beat your charges, you’ll be able to spend less time on the appearances above which saves  you even more money. 

Colorado criminal procedure

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  • Arrest or
    Summons
    01

    Arrest or
    Summons

    The process begins with either an arrest or a summons. The accused is either arrested or served with paperwork summoning them to appear in court. During an arrest, Miranda rights may or may not be read to you. Officers are only required to recite your rights if they intend to question you about potentially incriminating things.

  • Bond Hearing
    02

    Bond Hearing

    In most cases, you're entitled to have a reasonable bond set after you've been arrested. In situations involving domestic violence, the police will request input from the victim before setting a bond. Bonds are set to ensure that a person appears in court at their court dates. If they don’t show up, they forfeit the money that was paid for the bond.

  • Advisement of
    Charges
    03

    Advisement of
    Charges

    Whether you are arrested or given a summons to appear, the court must make sure you understand what crimes you are being accused of committing. This is called advisement of charges. The District Attorney will detail the specific charges against you, and the Judge has to make sure you understand what possible penalties are associated with that charge in the state.

  • Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)
    04

    Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)

    A preliminary hearing is a way for your defense attorney to challenge the District Attorney’s right to bring charges against you by making them prove that there is reason to believe you committed a crime. The Judge is not deciding your guilt or innocence, but rather whether or not there is probable cause to charge you with the crime in question.

  • Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing
    05

    Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing

    This court date comes after your attorney has reviewed all of the reports and evidence in your case. Here’s where your attorney will engage in plea negotiations with the DA. If they can reach an agreement on the case, you may be able to take a plea bargain. If they cannot reach a resolution, your case will be set for an arraignment or trial date.

  • Arraignment
    06

    Arraignment

    An arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you choose to plea. Guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, you and your attorney will then set the case for trial.

  • Motions Hearing
    07

    Motions Hearing

    A motion hearing is when an attorney makes a request that requires a decision from the judge. For example, motions to suppress evidence or statements. These motions can limit the information that goes before a jury if it benefits your case, and there are legal grounds for doing so.

  • Pretrial Readiness
    Conference
    08

    Pretrial Readiness
    Conference

    A pretrial readiness conference is held at some point before trial. It usually is held about a week to a month before the date trial is set to begin. This court date ensures everyone is ready to go to trial on the set date. It is also a time for lawyers to bring up any issues they may have to be addressed before the day of trial.

  • Jury Trial
    09

    Jury Trial

    After a jury is selected for trial, the District Attorney’s responsibility is to present the case to the jury. The DA must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime. Otherwise, the jury must find you innocent. Your attorney will be able to cross-examine all of the witnesses, present evidence, and ultimately help you navigate this process.

  • Sentencing
    Date
    10

    Sentencing
    Date

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you plead guilty. The Judge’s decision is based on the listed penalties for the specific charge, recommendations from the presentence investigation, your criminal history, as well as statements made at the sentencing by the District Attorney, your attorney, you, and any named victims of the crime.

What is the sentence for misdemeanors in Colorado?

  • Class 1

  • 6 to 18 months in county jail, and/or
  • $500 to $5,000 in fines
  • For extraordinary risk class 1 misdemeanors, the maximum jail sentence is 24 months.
  • For 3rd-degree assault (CRS 18-3-204), the maximum sentence can be 48 months if the victim was on duty as a:
    • Peace officer,
    • Emergency medical provider,
    • Firefighter, or
    • Mental health professional at the Department of Human Services.
  • Class 2

  • 3 to 12 months in county jail, and/or
  • $250 to $1,000 in fines

What are Colorado felony penalties?

  • Class 1

  • Life imprisonment
  • No Colorado crime carries the death penalty.
  • Class 2

  • 8 – 24 years in Colorado State Prison, and/or
  • $5,000 – $1,000,000
  • 5 years of mandatory parole if the offense is a crime of violence. Otherwise, 3 years of mandatory parole.
  • Class 3

  • 4-12 years in prison
  • Fines of up to $750,000 but not less than $3,000
  • 3 years of parole
  • Class 4

  • 2 – 6 years in prison, and/or
  • $2,000 – $500,000
  • 3 years of mandatory parole
  • For extraordinary risk class 4 felonies, the maximum sentence is 8 years in prison.
  • Class 5

  • 1 – 3 years in prison, and/or
  • $1,000 – $100,000
  • 2 years of mandatory parole
  • For extraordinary risk class 5 felonies, the maximum sentence is 4 years in prison.
  • Class 6

  • 1 – 18 months years in prison, and/or
  • $1,000 – $100,000
  • 1 year of mandatory parole
  • For extraordinary risk class 6 felonies, the maximum sentence is 2 years in prison.

CALL NOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED

719-822-6227

Colorado Springs Criminal Defense Attorney

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At Right Law Group, we understand the stress you are under. Our Criminal Defense Law Firm is here to guide you down the right path to your legal challenge. Whether you are facing your first DUI, a drug charge, need a restraining order, or are facing another type of criminal charge, our firm is committed to your well-being and protecting your rights the right way.

Do you go to jail for a DUI in Colorado?

Jail time for a Colorado DUI depends on a few factors. There is no mandatory jail time for a first offense, but you could still be facing 5 days to a year in jail. For subsequent DUI convictions there is mandatory jail time which could be up to two years.

How much does a DUI typically cost?

The cost of a DUI in Colorado depends on a few different factors. Previous convictions and the circumstances surrounding the DUI arrest are the two biggest factors. Depending on the situation, a DUI can cost a person anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.

How many points is a DUI in Colorado?

In Colorado, a DUI charge generally comes with 12 points off of your license. Some extenuating circumstances (such as leaving the scene of an associated accident) can result in additional points while pleading to a lesser offense such as DWAI can result in 8 points.

Experienced DUI Lawyer

Colorado Springs DUI Attorney Near You

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What is a DUI? If you are unsure and need help navigating the Colorado DUI laws, contact Right Law Group today for a free case evaluation. You may be able to keep your license. Call us now to get help. An experienced Colorado Springs DUI lawyer can help get you through this. Contact us today for a FREE consultation.

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