DUI Lawyer Near Me | Expert DUI Defense Attorney

If you’ve been arrested for a DUI in Colorado, time is critical. You have a limited time to request a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to contest the suspension of your driver’s license. Failing to act within this short window means your license will be suspended, adding another layer of difficulty to an already stressful situation. Click here to read about how much a DUI costs.

This deadline applies if:

• You refused a breath or blood test.
• You took a breath test and have a result higher than 0.08% alcohol level.
• You received blood test results (which normally takes a few months) with over 0.08% alcohol level.

A DUI means driving under the influence. This essentially means drunk driving.  Legally it is defined as either driving, or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while you are affected by alcohol, cannabis, drugs, medication or any other substance that makes it substantially incapable to operate a vehicle.

A DWAI is driving while ability impaired. I like refer to this as buzzed driving. Legally this means driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while you are affected by alcohol, cannabis, drugs, medication or any other substance that makes it, by the slightest degree, less safe for you to operate a vehicle.

A DUI typically applies when you are charged with driving under the influence without prior DUI convictions. While penalties for a first offense are generally less severe than for repeat offenders, they can still include:

• Heavy fines that may strain your finances.
• Suspension or revocation of your driver’s license.
• Court-mandated DUI classes or community service.
• Potential jail time in certain circumstances.

Don’t face these challenges alone—having an experienced attorney like Michael J. Harris on your side can make all the difference. 

The typical penalties for the first offense can vary significantly depending on what substance you were on, how high a result you have, your driving behavior and other circumstances surrounding the incident. In certain cases, you may be able to get an agreement to keep a conviction off your record. 

Type of Penalties:

• Probation, which or may not be formally supervised by the probation department.
• Significant fines, surcharges and court costs, some of which may be suspended, in certain cases.
• DUI classes and mandatory therapy sessions, the amount of which can vary.
• Community service, often referred to as useful public service, the amount of which can vary.
• Points on your license and possible revocation of your license.
• Some jail or house arrest can be mandatory if you have an alcohol level of over 0.2%.

The penalties can increase drastically for people who have prior offenses on their record. If this is a fourth offense, you are looking at a felony. In addition to the above penalties, which can be more lengthy and expensive, you are looking at the following:

• More lengthy jail sentence. In some cases, you might be able to get house arrest however this becomes more difficult and may not be available at all depending on your record.
• A longer driving revocation or a habitual revocation if your record is lengthy enough. 
• More intense DUI treatment, which in some cases, may include a inpatient or residential treatment.
• A possible DUI court, which involves more intense treatment and therapy.
• Finally, risk of community corrections or state prison if you are facing a felony.

As a seasoned DUI attorney, Michael J. Harris has helped countless clients navigate their first DUI charges with confidence. His approach includes:

• Thoroughly examining the evidence, including personally reviewing all body camera footage and reviewing breath or blood test maintenance history.
• Analyzing whether the police properly conducted a stop, conducted field sobriety tests and had sufficient evidence for the arrest.
• Getting information from you regarding any mitigating information about how you got into this situation.
• Negotiating for reduced charges, penalties, or deferred judgement in sentence in the appropriate case. 
• Making sure you get copies of the reports and videos so you can see the information for yourself.
• Filing and litigating motions in court to throw out evidence when your rights are violated.
• Taking your case to jury trial if you feel you are not guilty, unable to get a fair deal, or would like to see if the prosecution can prove the case against you.
• Providing clear communication every step of the way, so you understand your options and the potential outcomes.