DUI Lawyer in Steamboat Springs

The DUI Process in Routt County

If you are arrested for a DUI in Routt County, it is essential to understand the process that follows. The DUI process typically begins with an arrest by a law enforcement officer. After the arrest, you will be taken to the police station for booking and processing, where you will be required to provide a breath or blood sample to determine your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). If your BAC is .08 or higher, you will be charged with a DUI.

Following the arrest, you will receive a summons to appear in court. The court process involves several hearings, including an arraignment, pre-trial conference, and trial. Navigating this process can be daunting, but having an experienced DUI defense attorney gives you the legal and emotional support you need. Your lawyer will help protect your rights and guide you through each step, ensuring you have the best possible defense.

Chemical Testing and Express Consent Law

In Colorado, the Express Consent Law mandates that drivers consent to chemical testing if suspected of a DUI. This means that if a law enforcement officer stops you and suspects you of driving under the influence, you are required to take a breath or blood test. Refusing to take the test results in an automatic revocation of your driver’s license for one year.

Chemical testing is typically conducted using a breathalyzer or blood test. The breathalyzer measures the amount of alcohol in your breath, while the blood test measures the alcohol content in your blood. If the results show a BAC of .08 or higher, you will be charged with a DUI. Understanding these procedures and their implications is vital, and a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney can help you navigate these challenges.

DMV Revocation and Reinstatement

If you are convicted of a DUI in Routt County, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will revoke your driver’s license. The length of the revocation period depends on the severity of the offense and your prior driving record. For first-time offenders, the revocation period is typically nine months.

To reinstate your driver’s license, you must meet specific requirements, including completing an alcohol education program, installing an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, and paying a reinstatement fee. Additionally, you will need to provide proof of insurance and pass a vision test. Compliance with these requirements is essential to regain your driving privileges, and an experienced DUI defense attorney can assist you in this process.

Your Rights and Options

For many people who are arrested for a DUI in Routt County, it’s their first trouble with the law. Knowing your rights and options in this frightening and unfamiliar situation can help take some of the mystery out of the process. After an arrest, you have the right to stay silent and request an attorney. You also have the right to challenge the results of the chemical test and contest the charges against you.

Your DUI defense lawyer will help you understand your options after your DUI charge, including:

• Pleading guilty: Accepting the charges and agreeing to the penalties.
• Pleading not guilty: Contesting the charges and requesting a trial.
• Negotiating a plea deal: Working with the district attorney to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
• Going to trial: Contesting the charges and presenting your case to a judge or jury.

Having an experienced DUI defense attorney by your side will help you know what options are best for you and protect your rights.

Top DUI Defense Team in Steamboat Springs, CO

Mistakes happen. When they do, you need a knowledgeable Steamboat Springs criminal defense lawyer to provide legal representation.

At the Brown Law Firm, we use over 30 years of combined trial skills to defend DUI charges. We understand the Colorado DUI laws and court system and will make every effort to obtain the most beneficial result for your situation.

As your Steamboat Springs DUI attorneys, our job is to listen to your story, guide you through your options, and present your truth in the very best light to the prosecutor, the DMV, and, if needed, the jury.

DUI cases are never completely cut-and-dry. The arresting officer may have made mistakes in your sobriety test or violated your constitutional rights. If you were accused of driving under the influence of marijuana, there is no test in existence to prove you were impaired at the time. That burden of proof is on the state, and it may not have the evidence for a conviction.

Utilizing our skills, resources, and experience, your Steamboat Springs, CO, criminal defense lawyers such as The Brown Law Firm will examine these possibilities to find a way to dismiss your criminal charges. If it appears you were driving under the influence, our attorney will inform you of your options so we can plead down your penalties and allow you to move forward with this merely being a lesson learned.

In addition to DUI cases, our attorneys are also experienced in other practice areas, including estate planning, domestic violence and divorce cases, and business matters. We help our clients with the best legal advice and provide them with the best strategy to protect their rights, freedom, and reputation.

Fight DUI and DWAI charges

A DUI defense attorney can challenge breath tests or blood tests. It could end your driving license, bring massive fines or put you in serious jail. You’ll be required to take care of your problems right away if you get arrested for drunk driving. Without an attorney, you might get lost or face penalties for driving under the influence.