What to Do If You Get a DUI In Colorado
In Colorado, the stakes are high for even first-time DUIs. Depending on the circumstances, the penalty for a DUI can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. So if this is your first or second Colorado DUI, it is important to consult with, McDermott Stuart & Ward, some of the best criminal defense attorneys in the state to talk about the context of your criminal charges and any risks you may face.
A DUI doesn’t necessarily stop with a criminal penalty or fine. Driving while intoxicated in Colorado, charges known as DUIs and DWAIs can lead to a suspended license.
Penalties can range from a driver’s license being revoked or restricted. Many people are surprised to learn that even a restricted driver’s license from a DUI charge requires a new driving, eye, and written exam to be taken in a vehicle equipped with an interlock breathalyzer system.
But just because you are pulled over for a DUI or are responding to a DUI Checkpoint does not mean that you are guilty of something, and even sober, law-abiding people get nervous when the police pull them over.
Colorado DUI Checkpoints and DUI Stops
When pulled over for a DUI, heightened anxiety can cloud your focus and make it hard to find which papers to give the officer. As you rummage through your glove compartment, you realize you have no idea what a vehicle registration even looks like. Meanwhile, the officer waits impatiently at your driver’s side door, observing every one of your fumbles with his bright flashlight.
Unfortunately, officers may interpret your clumsiness as a sign of intoxication. Their reasoning isn’t off-base: alcohol can cause confusion and slowed reactions, so an intoxicated person is more likely to have trouble locating documents or handing officers the wrong item.
DUI Dismissals and Weaker DUI Cases
Drivers can avoid this misperception by becoming familiar with what the officer is asking for during a Colorado DUI stop or DUI checkpoint, what it looks like, and how to keep it handy for fast retrieval:
Registration
When you renew your vehicle registration, the DMV should provide two things pursuant to the mandated registration requirements:
- An updated sticker for the back of your license plate; and,
- Documentation of your newest vehicle registration, often titled “Vehicle Registration” or “Registration Renewal.”
If you cannot find the registration documents, you may contact the DMV and request a new one be mailed.
Insurance
In Colorado, drivers must have an auto insurance policy in effect and be able to “provide immediate evidence of the policy” to law enforcement. Although most insurance companies have an App displaying an electronic copy of your policy, it’s smart to keep a paper version in your car, too, just in case technology isn’t working if you’re pulled over.
Driver’s License
If a driver confidently hands over a colorful restaurant gift card instead of their license, the officer will probably believe they’re intoxicated.
Colorado DUI Attorneys
It is smart to work with a Colorado attorney with experience defending these charges for first-time DUI offenses and any other driving while intoxicated charge. The top concerns for people facing DUI charges include losing their license and knowing whether they are eligible for the minimum DUI sentence. Many are worried about the probation period that can often follow a first-time DUI offense and lead to probation violations if the terms are not followed precisely. A criminal defense team well-versed in the Colorado laws surrounding the DUI process can ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.
If you or someone in your family faces Colorado DUI charges, call McDermott Stuart & Ward today for a free, no-commitment consultation at (303) 832-8888.
