If you have been charged with drunk driving, call us now for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. We can help. Facing these charges alone means subjecting yourself to serious current and future penalties, including:
- Economic costs: A DUI conviction is estimated to cost at least $10,000, including fines, court costs, loss of work, increased insurance premiums, and other monetary penalties.
- Loss of driving rights: Loss of driving rights for 9 months or longer in many cases.
- Jail time: Mandatory jail time of at least two days for a first offense and the likelihood of serious jail time if re-arrested (which is likely, keep reading).
- Community service/Alcohol treatment: Community service and alcohol treatment requirements can be costly, and take time away from work and family.
- Rearrest: Colorado’s drunk driving laws come with more serious penalties for rearrest. Rearrest is far more likely because you will be stopped frequently by law enforcement once you have a drunk driving conviction on your driving record.
- Career: You may lose your job for a drunk driving conviction. But as important, you may be prevented from taking certain jobs or working in certain careers in the future if you have a drunk driving conviction on your record.
Penalties for Drunk Driving in Loveland
Colorado drunk driving laws have become increasingly complex. Drivers face both administrative penalties (including license suspensions of 9 months to 2 years) and criminal penalties. Under today’s laws, drivers can be charged with a blood alcohol level of just .02. In fact, drivers don’t even have to have alcohol in their system to face charges.
- Driving with Ability Impaired (DWAI): BAC exceeding 0.05 (but less than 0.08).
- Driving Under the Influence (DUI): Defendant's BAC is 0.08 or more. Subject to greater penalties if the test shows a blood alcohol level of at least 0.15 (persistent drunk driver).
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID): Defendant's blood contains 5 nanograms or more of delta-9 THC (the active substance in some marijuana products) per milliliter in whole blood.
- Underage Drunk Driving (UDD): For those under the age of 21, the legal limit is just .02.
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Drunk driving penalties in Loveland
- DWAI: Up to 180 days in jail (2-day minimum), $500 fine, 48-hours community service.
- DUI: 5-days to 1-year in jail, $1,000 fine and up to 96 hours of community service.
- 2nd offense: 10-days to 1 year in jail, $1,500 fine, up to 120 hours of community service.
- 3rd offense: 60 days to 1 year in jail, $1,500 fine, up to 120 hours of community service.
- 4th offense: Felony, 2-6 years in prison (3 years of parole).
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Loveland Drunk Driving Defense
There are many ways to challenge an arrest for DWAI or DUI, including:
- Probable cause: The reason you were stopped can impact the entire case. If an officer did not have a legitimate reason to stop you, the charges may be dismissed.
- Field sobriety tests: There are only three tests that are nationally recognized. When an officer does not have the proper training, or engages you in inappropriate testing, your drunk driving defense lawyer can use this to your advantage.
- Breathalyzer test: When and how a test was performed, what type of test was used, the certification and calibration of the testing equipment, and the training of the testing officer can all impact your results, and your case.
- Plea negotiations: In many cases, even when your defense attorney determines it is not in your best interest to fight the charges at trial, a negotiated plea can result in reduced charges and keep a drunk driving conviction off your record.
There are many other ways to beat these charges. Our experienced Loveland DUI defense lawyers represent motorist clients throughout the area, including Fort Collins, Longmont, Loveland, Larimer County, Weld County, Berthoud, Estes Park, Johnstown, Red Feather Lakes, Timnath, Wellington, Windsor, LaPorte, Bellevue, Greeley, Ault, Eaton, Severance, Nunn, Firestone, Dacono, Boulder, Winter Park, Granby, Hot Sulphur Springs, and Fraser. We represent clients in Larimer County, Boulder County, Weld County, Grand County and beyond.
Call Matthew Haltzman at the Haltzman Law Firm today at (970) 692-3440 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
