Three Ways You Can Face Felony DUI Charges in Colorado
When you are stopped on suspicion of intoxicated driving and arrested for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) or driving under the influence (DUI) you will usually be facing misdemeanor charges — especially for a first offense in which nobody was harmed. Do not make the mistake of assuming that a DWAI or DUI misdemeanor should not be taken seriously, however. It is important to know that misdemeanor convictions in Colorado can also result in jail time in addition to monetary fines and other serious consequences. Yet intoxicated driving charges do become much more serious when a person is facing a felony DUI.
In general, there are three ways that you can face felony DUI charges in Colorado. If you are currently facing DUI felony charges in the Denver area, it is critical to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Depending on the specific felony class with which you have been charged, you could be sentenced to anywhere from two to twelve years in prison in the event of a conviction.
Vehicular Assault DWAI or DUI
If you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or while your ability was impaired by alcohol or one or more drugs and you caused the serious bodily injury of another person, then Colorado law says that you can face vehicular assault charges. While vehicular assault charges can also be brought in cases that do not involve DWAI or DUI, driving under the influence or while your ability was impaired are also ways that vehicular assault charges can occur.
Vehicular assault is a felony offense under Colorado law. It is typically charged as a class 4 felony, which can result in a sentence of 2 to 6 years of imprisonment, 3 years of mandatory parole, and fines of up to $500,000.
Vehicular Homicide DWAI or DUI
Similar to vehicular assault charges discussed above, if you are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or while your ability was impaired by alcohol or one or more drugs and you caused the death of another person, then Colorado law says that you can face vehicular homicide charges. Similar to vehicular assault charges, vehicular homicide charges can also be brought when a person’s reckless driving causes another death absent of alcohol, but alcohol-impaired driving that results in another person’s death is a common reason for a vehicular homicide charge.
Under Colorado law, vehicular homicide is typically charged as a class 3 felony offense. This level of felony can result in a prison sentence of 4 to 12 years, mandatory parole of 5 years, and fines of up to $750,000. These consequences do not include the administrative and driver’s license consequences that will also occur under Colorado law.
Fourth DWAI or DUI Conviction
If you have three previous DWAI or DUI convictions, a fourth offense will be charged as a class 4 felony. You will face the same consequences associated with vehicular assault if you are convicted.
Contact a Denver DUI Defense Attorney for Assistance
Are you currently facing felony DUI charges, or any charges for a DWAI or DUI in Colorado? You should seek legal advice about your defense strategy as soon as possible. One of the experienced Denver DUI defense lawyers at DeChant Law can begin working with you on a defense strategy that is specifically tailored to the facts of your case. Contact us today to find out more about how we can assist you.
Sources:
law.justia.com/codes/colorado/2021/title-42/article-4/part-13/section-42-4-1301/
codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-3-205/
