If you’ve been caught driving with alcohol in your system in Colorado, you’re going to need a good DUI attorney to help you work through your situation. You may get lots of well-intentioned advice from friends and family, but you need to know the facts as early as possible. Here’s are some things to consider:
- There are two levels of alcohol-related driving offenses, both based on BAC. They are Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI) and Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI).
- The legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (also known as BAC) is 0.08% if you’re 21 years of age or older. It is 0.02% if you’re under 21 years old. For a DWAI, the legal limit is 0.05%.
- The Colorado DMV has the legal authority to suspend your license for DUI and DWAI offenses regardless of the status of any charges you may be facing in court.
- A DUI 1st offense can result in a license suspension of up to 9 months, a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, up to 96 hours of community service, and alcohol education classes.
- A DWAI 1st offense will result in 8 points toward a license suspension, a fine of up to $500, up to 180 days in jail, and up to 48 hours of community service.
- Penalties go up significantly for repeat offenders and may include the installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle.
- If you fail a roadside sobriety test, you will be arrested, handcuffed and taken to jail. Your car will be towed and impounded.
- If you refuse to take a blood-alcohol concentration test, you are violating the state’s Express Consent Law which says you have given consent to have the test administered. If you refuse, you will be required to have an ignition interlock device on your car for two years.
Decker & Jones serves clients in Denver, Golden and communities throughout Jefferson County, Colorado.