Studies have shown that almost 90% of the over 16,000 people arrested for DUI in Colorado each year are convicted of their crimes. They face a long list of potential DUI penalties, including everything from jail time to driver’s license revocations.
If you were arrested for DUI in CO, you will have the opportunity to argue against the charges filed against you in court. Hiring the right legal representation and asking them to help protect your rights can put you in a position to win your case.
Find out how an experienced DUI attorney can assist you in the aftermath of a DUI arrest below.
Explaining Your Rights
Before a DUI attorney begins protecting your rights by providing legal representation following a DUI arrest, they will make sure you understand what your rights are. During a DUI arrest, you have these rights:
- The right to remain silent
- The right to refuse a field sobriety test or a handheld breathalyzer test
- The right to request a DUI hearing at the DMV
However, you should know that DUI cases are often complicated since your rights won’t always protect you from facing certain consequences.
You may, for example, have to deal with penalties if you refuse to take an evidentiary blood or breath test. There is an implied consent law in Colorado that requires those arrested for DUI to submit to chemical or blood tests.
Investigating Your Arrest
To help protect your rights, a DUI attorney will launch an investigation into your arrest. They’ll analyze all the evidence connected to your case, including police reports, body cam and dash cam footage, and BAC test results.
They’ll look closely to ensure police officers followed the proper protocols while placing you under arrest. If they didn’t, a DUI attorney may get your case dismissed entirely.
Here are several common reasons why DUI cases are dismissed in Colorado:
- Police didn’t have reasonable suspicion to pull you over in the first place
- Police didn’t provide you with accurate instructions for a field sobriety test
- Police didn’t have probable cause to arrest you for DUI
Arguing Your Case
If a DUI attorney isn’t able to have your case dismissed, they can argue it in court. They’ll employ the proper DUI defense strategies based on their experience and the circumstances surrounding your case.
They’ll also participate in prosecutor negotiations and explain the criminal record implications you might face by accepting a potential DUI plea bargain. The right DUI attorney will work hard on your behalf to minimize DUI penalties.
They can also assist people with Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) cases. These involve people arrested for driving while impaired with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between 0.05 and 0.079%.
Looking for Legal Representation After a DUI Arrest? Contact Us for Help
At Churchill DUI Defense, our attorneys are equipped to provide legal representation to those facing the consequences of DUI arrests. We will prioritize protecting your rights from the moment we start working with you.
Reach out to us at (303) 832-9000 for assistance.