Fort Collins, Colorado DWAI (DUI) Criminal Defense Attorney

What happens if I was arrested for DUI in Fort Collins?

Under Colorado law, you can be charged with Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) or Driving Under the Influence (DUI). A DWAI violation results when the offender's blood alcohol content (BAC) is at least 0.05, but less than 0.08, while a DUI violation results when the offender's BAC is 0.08 or higher.

Pursuant to Colorado law, once you have been cited for violating the DUI statute, the state initiates two separate, yet simultaneous legal actions against you. There is a criminal action in response to the ticket that was issued to you, and an administrative action is brought against your license by the Colorado DOR. Both actions can result in the suspension of your driving privileges, but it is imperative to remember that there may be more penalties to consider. Also, each action must be handled on its own.Contact a Colorado DUI criminal defense attorney today for a fast, free consultation.

If you have been arrested for DUI, it is a major offense that can have serious repercussions, including jail time, loss of driving privileges, and monetary fines. It is important that anyone facing a Colorado DUI understand what challenges they will encounter. It is imperative you seek the legal advice of an aggressive and experienced DUI criminal defense lawyer immediately. Call today for a professional and free consultation.

Administrative Hearing

Once the arresting officer retains your state issued license, you are issued a Notice of Suspension and issued a 40 day temporary permit. If you do not request an administrative hearing within 15 days, your right to the hearing is lost, and your driver's license in Colorado is automatically suspended for the applicable statutory time frame. In order to preserve your right to an administrative hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Colorado DOR within 15 days. Contact a competent and professional DUI criminal defense attorney in Colorado to help.

Pursuant to Colorado law, an individual has 15 days to request an Administrative Hearing from the Colorado DOR (Department of Revenue).

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC level of 0.04. A first time DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 year, while any subsequent DUI offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the commercial license.
• Fines - Fines for a first time DUI can range between $300.00 and $1,000.00, plus court costs of up to $500.00.
• Colorado Driving Privileges and DUI - In Fort Collins, Colorado, a first time DUI conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges for 3 months, however after 30 days, the offender may be eligible for a Probationary Driver's License.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of a DUI alcohol and drug remedial education program is required for reinstatement of driving privileges.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driver's license for 1 year.
• Jail Time - In Fort Collins, Colorado, a first time DUI offender faces time in jail of 5 days, with a maximum of up to 1 year, however in some cases, the minimum mandatory jail time can be reduced if the offender agrees to attend an alcohol treatment program.

DWAI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Monetary Fines - Fines for a first time DWAI can be range between $100.00 and $500.00.
• Driving Privileges - A DWAI conviction results in the revocation of driving privileges for 3 months.
• Jail Time - A first time DWAI offender faces a minimum mandatory imprisonment of 2 days, with a maximum of up to 180 days.
• Public Service - Upon the court's assessment, a first time DUI offender must complete 24 to 48 hours of community service.

Additional Fort Collins, Colorado DUI Costs

Beyond any fines and court costs you will have to pay, there are numerous other charges that can add up and cost you a lot of money. Some of the other costs for DUI might include:

• Towing - Having your vehicle towed in Fort Collins, Colorado can be expensive.
• Vehicle Storage - After your vehicle is towed, it has to be stored somewhere, which is another additional cost.
• Loss of Wages - When you begin to add in the money lost by missing work, the amount really begins to add up quickly.
• Auto Insurance - On top of everything else, once you do get your license back, there is a good chance your monthly premium is going to be higher.

As you can see, there are quite a few "hidden costs" when it comes to getting a DUI in Fort Collins, Colorado.

DUI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are increasingly more severe for any additional DUI violations. Due to the complexity of DUI laws in Colorado, you may not be aware of rights and options. This is why a competent and professional criminal defense attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a Colorado DWAI - DUI lawyer for a fast, free consultation.

Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.