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Being accused of drinking and driving is a serious matter. If you are found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI), you could face jail time, fines, and the loss of your license. There is also a stigma associated with drunk driving that could follow you long after you have completed your sentence.
The good news is a dedicated defense attorney could help you fight these charges. While this situation may feel hopeless, many people avoid a conviction following an arrest. Reach out to a Boulder DUI lawyer right away to learn about your options.
The maximum penalties for a DUI conviction may vary depending on the prior criminal history of the accused. While first-time offenders might avoid jail time, that is not the case for those with prior DUI convictions. Working with a Boulder DUI attorney could help you avoid a conviction and the following penalties that come with it.
Any conviction for DUI carries the risk of imprisonment. Misdemeanor charges are limited to a maximum of one year in jail, but the minimum sentence increases with each prior conviction. For example, a first-time offender may face a minimum of five days in jail, whereas a third-offense DUI carries a minimum jail term of 60 days.
The consequences are much steeper for fourth and subsequent offenses, since the court treats them as felonies. If you are found guilty, you could spend between two to six years in a Colorado state prison.
Monetary fines are also a part of a DUI conviction. First-time offenders could face fines ranging from $600 to $1,000. The maximum increases to $1,500 for second and third convictions. For fourth and subsequent guilty verdicts, fines range from $2,000 to $500,000. There are also other expenses to consider, including court costs and fees.
The loss of driving privileges after a DUI conviction is guaranteed. Like with any other penalty, the length of this suspension will depend on a defendant’s previous criminal record. These suspensions last a minimum of nine months following a first conviction, with a maximum suspension of up to two years.
DUI lawyers in Boulder have many common defense strategies, such as challenging the legality of the traffic stop or disputing the admissibility of chemical test results.
These cases often hinge on whether the police had the right to pull a car over. Law enforcement may not stop a car unless there is reasonable suspicion of a crime or moving violation. If they stop someone solely on speculation, they may have violated their rights. In that scenario, an attorney could move to exclude all evidence collected during the stop, including admissions of drinking or breath test results.
Prosecutors rely on these results to demonstrate that the accused had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit at the time of the arrest. However, attorneys also frequently challenge the results of blood, breath, or urine tests. This might be possible if an officer did not conduct the tests properly or stored the samples incorrectly.
If you have been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, now is your chance to seek legal help. The right lawyer could fight these charges and obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
Do not put yourself at risk by acting alone. A single mistake could result in a conviction that is ultimately avoidable. Reach out to a Boulder DUI lawyer today to discuss your rights and plan your strategy.