Denver DUI First Offense Lawyer
Being arrested for driving under the influence is a traumatic experience that leaves most people feeling utterly ashamed, terrified, and hopeless, whether they deserved to be arrested for drunk driving or not. However, there are plenty of defense strategies that can be used to fight a first time DUI. Denver DUI first offense lawyer Reid DeChant at DeChant Law is here to offer you hope and a fighting chance to preserve your future. Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t let your mistake define you, call DeChant Law.
Penalties for a First DUI in Colorado
Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher is considered drunk driving in Colorado. A BAC is usually performed via breathalyzer, but can also be taken with a blood sample. Law enforcement can also arrest a driver for driving under the influence by administering a sobriety test. A first time DUI in the state of Colorado carries the following penalties if the driver is convicted.
- Five days to one year in jail
- 12 points on your driver’s license, triggering an automatic suspension of nine months
- Fines of $600 to $1,000
- Up to two years on probation
- Up to 96 hours of community service
- Level I or Level II alcohol education class and therapy
- One year suspended jail sentence
DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired)
You can be arrested for impaired driving even if your BAC is below the legal limit of 0.08 percent. Law enforcement in Colorado can arrest drivers with BACs between 0.05 and 0.08 percent if the driver’s ability is legally impaired, making them unsafe to drive on the road. A first time DWAI conviction can result in:
- Two to 180 days in jail
- 8 points on your driver’s license
- Fines of $300 to $500
- Possible probation
- Up to 48 hours of community service
- Level I or Level II alcohol education classes and therapy
First Time DUI: BAC of 0.15 or Above
The DMV imposes additional penalties for drivers who have higher blood alcohol content—BACs greater than 0.15. An administrative finding for a first time DUI with a BAC of 0.15 or greater classifies the driver as a persistent drunk driver. The increased penalties are as follows:
- 2-year period of interlock device
First Time DUI: BAC of 0.2 or Above
The state of Colorado imposes additional penalties for drivers who have higher blood alcohol content—BACs greater than 0.2 percent. Not only are facing the increased administrative consequence for being above 0.15, a conviction for a first time DUI with a BAC of 0.2 or greater carries mandatory jail. The increased penalties are as follows:
- 2-year period of interlock device
- 10 days to one year in jail
The Court can allow the 10 days of jail be served as alternative sentencing, such as work release or house arrest. The Court cannot suspend or waive the 10 days of jail, as the 10 days are mandatory if your BAC is 0.2 or greater.
As with all rules, there are exceptions to the rules. If your chemical test was obtained 2 hours or later after actual physical control of the vehicle, this enhancement does not apply. This highlights the importance of hiring a competent impaired driving firm like DeChant Law.
Call a Denver DUI First Offense Lawyer Today
A first offense DUI is a serious crime in Colorado. If you have prior DUI convictions in another state, these count toward the number of DUIs here in Colorado. As such, even if this was your first DUI in Colorado, it could be charged as your second, third, or fourth DUI, all of which carry even harsher penalties. For us this is every day but we understand for you, this may be the first time. We are here to help walk you through the process, together. To learn about your options, call a Denver DUI first offense lawyer at DeChant Law today at 303-409-7500 for a free case evaluation.
