ANNOUNCEMENT: Right Law Group Opens New Location, Attorney Matt Chaput Joins Team – Learn More

Call now

Highlands Ranch DUI Lawyer

2022 Winner - Best of the Springs
Lawyer of the Year - American Institute of Legal Professionals
Colorado Bar Association
Top 40 The National Trial Lawyers
Top 100 The National Trial Lawyers
AVVO 10.0 Superb Top Attorney Criminal Defense

Highlands Ranch DUI Lawyer

Google Reviews
divider

HAVE YOU BEEN CHARGED WITH A DUI IN HIGHLANDS RANCH, COLORADO? ACT QUICKLY TO GET YOUR LIFE BACK ON TRACK

If you don’t take action within 7 days, your license will be automatically suspended. A qualified Highlands Ranch DUI lawyer will deal with the DMV and the court on your behalf. Our top priority is ensuring you get to keep your license, beat your DUI, and get back to your life.

Charged with a DUI in Colorado?

Everyone makes mistakes, but a DUI can easily come along with severe penalties and strain your life.

When you’re facing DUI charges, it’s crucial to act quickly. Your driver’s license will be suspended automatically within seven days of your arrest. A Highlands Ranch criminal defense lawyer can help you by dealing with the court and the DMV on your behalf.

Our law office aims to ensure you keep your license and mitigate the consequences of your DUI charge so you can get your life back on track.

Consequences of a DUI Charge in Highlands Ranch, CO

Since driving under the influence poses dangerous safety risks to everyone on the road, the penalties of a DUI charge are severe. Penalties also increase for every additional charge you get. But jail time and fines aren’t the only impacts a DUI infraction can have on your life.

DUI Penalties in Colorado

First DUI in Colorado

  • 5 days – 1 year in jail
  • $600 – $1,000 in fines
  • Up to 2 years of probation
  • 48 – 96 hours of public service

Second DUI in Colorado

  • 10 days – 2 years in jail
  • $600 – $1,500 in fines
  • 2 – 4 years of probation
  • 48 – 120 hours of public service

Third or Subsequent DUI in Colorado

  • 60 consecutive days – 2 years in jail
  • $600 – $1,500 in fines
  • 2 – 4 years of probation
  • 48 – 120 hours of public service

Other DUI Consequences That Could Impact Your Life

Aside from the obvious financial burdens of getting a DUI as well as the risk to your freedom, a DUI can impact your life in other ways, especially if you have multiple infractions:

  • Suspended driver’s license for up to 2 years
  • Difficulty finding employment in specific fields
  • Educational penalties, including declined admission, sports restrictions, and expulsion
  • Strain on personal relationships

Beyond these consequences of guilty verdicts, the DUI incident itself will result in significant financial burdens outside the fines you’re ordered to pay.

Financial Burdens of a DUI Charge

There are additional costs associated with being arrested for a DUI of which people aren’t always aware.

Some costs you’ll be on the hook for include:

  • Towing fees after the arrest – up to $200
  • Bond or bail – up to $5,000
  • License reinstatement fees – $95
  • Ignition interlock device costs – estimated $150 per month of use
  • Increased insurance premiums – roughly 70%

When you consider all of the financial costs associated with a DUI charge in Colorado, it’s clear that you need the help of an experienced Highlands Ranch criminal defense attorney to mitigate the burden.

Consequences of a DWAI Charge in Colorado

A Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) charge is considered a lesser charge than a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge. The main difference between DUI and DWAI is the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC).

If your BAC is greater than 0.05% but less than 0.08%, you’ll be charged with a DWAI. You’ll be charged with a DUI if your BAC is above 0.08%.

DWAI Penalties in Colorado

First DWAI in Colorado

  • 2 – 180 days in jail
  • $200 – $500 in fines
  • Up to 2 years of probation
  • 24 – 48 hours of public service

Second DWAI in Colorado

  • 10 days – 1 year in jail
  • $600 – $1,500 in fines
  • 48 – 120 hours of public service
  • 8 points on your license

Third DWAI In Colorado

  • 60 days – 1 year in jail
  • $600 – $1,500 in fines
  • 48 – 120 hours of public service
  • 8 points on your license

Fourth or Subsequent DWAI in Colorado

  • Class 4 felony charge
  • 2 – 6 years in prison with 3-year parole
  • $2,000 – $500,000 in fines

Possible DUI Defenses in Colorado

When facing a DUI charge, you face a complex legal system that’s difficult to navigate. our law firm can help you through the process and build a solid DUI defense strategy to fight against your charge.

Did Reasonable Suspicion Exist for the Traffic Stop?

Police can’t just perform traffic stops on any car they see on the road. They need what’s called “reasonable suspicion” to pull you over.

Some examples of reasonable suspicion include:

  • Driving erratically
  • Driving too fast or too slowly
  • Sudden or frequent braking
  • Straddling the line
  • Stopping for no apparent reason

DUI lawyers are experts at complex criminal defense matters that question the validity of law enforcement suspicions. Even if you were truly intoxicated, your DUI case could be dismissed if it’s found that reasonable suspicion did not exist.

Were Chain of Custody Procedures Followed Properly?

The chain of custody refers to the movement of collected evidence from one party to another.

For example, if you take a blood test, several individuals will handle your sample, and several things can go wrong during the process:

  • The person who drew your blood was not qualified
  • The sample was collected, stored, or transported improperly
  • The person who tested the sample was not qualified

An experienced DUI lawyer could examine the chain of custody in your DUI case and possibly get a dismissal if proper procedure wasn’t followed.

Were Your Rights Violated?

When you’re arrested for a DUI, you still have rights. Law enforcement isn’t always respectful or careful with citizens’ rights during an arrest, and if yours were violated in any way, this might be grounds for a DUI dismissal.

Remember that you have:

  • The right to remain silent. This should be mentioned when your Miranda Rights are read to you.
  • The right to an attorney. You don’t have to speak to the officer without experienced legal representation.
  • The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Police should not search your vehicle without a warrant or consent, even if you’re pulled over for a DUI.

A DUI attorney in Highlands Ranch with expert knowledge in criminal charges will be able to identify ways procedure wasn’t followed, or your rights were violated during the arrest process.

Let a Highlands Ranch Criminal Defense Attorney Fight Your DUI Charge

When facing a criminal offense in Colorado, your freedom and future are at stake, and fighting a DUI can be a challenging legal road to walk alone. Reach out to an experienced DUI lawyer in Highlands Ranch, CO, at our law offices for legal services to ensure the best possible outcome for your case. We have a proven track record of successfully helping clients with criminal cases. You’ll get an honest assessment of your case after a free consultation.

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

Call today for a free case evaluation.

Colorado criminal procedure

divider
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

divider

How long does a DUI stay on your driving record in Colorado?

Colorado has no lookback or “washout period” regarding DUI charges. This means your DUI will stay on your record for your lifetime, and any subsequent DUIs will be impacted by it.

What happens when you get a DUI for the first time in Colorado?

Your first DUI offense could include jail time, fines, and public service. An ignition interlock device will be required for any DUI offense, typically for eight months to two years following license reinstatement.

Do I have to submit to a breathalyzer in Colorado?

Colorado law requires anyone suspected of drunk driving to submit to a breath or blood test. This is called an “express consent” statute, and the chief deputy district attorney can use your refusal to submit to the DUI test against you in court.

Areas Served

divider

El Paso County

Douglas County

map

Arapahoe County

  • Centennial
  • Englewood
  • Greenwood Village
  • Cherry Hills Village
  • Foxfield
  • Sheridan
  • Columbine Valley
  • Byers
  • Southglenn
  • Castlewood
  • Peoria

Pueblo County

Teller County

Fremont County

  • Coaldale
  • Cotopaxi
  • Hillside
  • Howard
  • Texas Creek
  • Wellsville