DUI Lawyer in Steamboat Springs
If you need a top DUI attorney in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, we can help. The Brown Law Firm of The Brown Law Firm are prepared to protect your freedom if you are facing DUI/DWAI charges in Northwest Colorado.
DUI Lawyer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
If you need a top DUI attorney in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, we can help. The DUI Lawyers of The Brown Law Firm are prepared to protect your freedom if you are facing DUI/DWAI charges in Northwest Colorado.
Steamboat Springs DUI Guide
- DUI Lawyers in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
- Understanding Your Colorado DUI Charges
- The DUI Process in Routt County
- Chemical Testing and Express Consent Law
- Why Do You Need a Routt County DUI Attorney
- DMV Revocation and Reinstatement
- Your Rights and Options
- Top DUI Defense Team in Steamboat Springs, CO
- Consult with an Experienced Attorney ASAP for Individualized Defense
DUI Lawyers in Steamboat Springs, Colorado
If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Colorado, you need an attorney with a comprehensive understanding of the law.
Driving under the influence as well as DWAI (driving while ability impaired) charges are taken extremely seriously in Steamboat Springs, CO, and rightfully so. But they’re frequently brought against good people who were wrongfully charged or made a simple mistake. This brief incident should not define your future.
At The Brown Law Firm, we know how frightening and stressful a DUI arrest can be. We likewise recognize that everybody is human and capable of slipping up, including law enforcement.
If you need an established and experienced DUI lawyer in Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, we can help. We have what it takes to mount an aggressive legal defense in order to reduce any prospective criminal charges in your case so you can get your life back on track. Give us a call today at 970-871-7400 for a free consultation and get the best legal advice from the Best Personal Injury lawyers in the Steamboat Springs area.
Understanding Your Colorado DUI Charges
In Steamboat Springs, Northwest Colorado, a DUI (driving under the influence) is defined by the law as an occurrence where a driver is found to have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or greater while driving a motor vehicle. Driving while your ability’s impaired (DWAI), on the other hand, requires a BAC of only .05% or greater. If the driver is under the age of 21, this number decreases to just .02%.
Under Colorado state law, law enforcement officers must have probable cause to pull over a driver for suspected driving under the influence. Typical indications that a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs include swerving into other lanes, failing to stop at intersections, and driving at irregular speeds. Without legal validation for pulling a driver over, the officer might not have a legitimate case that a criminal offense was committed.
It is not unusual for a law enforcement officer to make an arrest without enough proof of misconduct. However, a strong Steamboat Springs DUI attorney will fight to protect your rights. If the officer did not have probable cause, you might have the ability to successfully refute the DUI/DWAI charges against you by seeking the legal services of a trusted Steamboat Springs criminal defense attorney.
If you are facing criminal or DUI/DWAI charges in Steamboat Springs or other places in Routt County, Colorado, don’t worry. We have over six decades of combined legal experience and can help you navigate your legal issue successfully (you can check our client reviews). Reach out to our attorney now and schedule a consultation.
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.
Why Do You Need a Routt County DUI Attorney
If you have been arrested on DUI or DWAI charges in Routt County, Colorado, you are facing a serious criminal defense issue that puts your rights, freedom, and future at stake. Even if you have been wrongfully charged, trying to handle the situation by yourself could be a grave mistake.
While the justice system should work to protect the rights of all, innocent people all too often face life-changing convictions due to the fact that they didn’t have the help of a criminal defense attorney. If ever there was a time to work with a defense lawyer, it’s now.
According to noduicolorado.org, 151 arrests were made in Routt County, 94 in Moffat County, and 147 in Grand County, Colorado, last year. This website provides a further explanation of the consequences of a DUI conviction.
Penalties for a DUI in Steamboat Springs
The penalties for a DUI will depend upon a few elements, the primary two being the BAC of the driver and whether they have any previous DUI/DWAI convictions. When facing a first-time DUI charge, a driver can face even up to a year in jail, depending on their BAC.
Additional penalties include alcohol classes, community service, fines of up to $1000, as well as the requirement of installing an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. These penalties can be even steeper with successive DUIs.
Additionally, even if it is only your first DUI, your driver’s license can be suspended for up to nine months. Having your driver’s license suspended can prove incredibly disruptive if you need your car to go to work or if you drive trucks to run a ranch. Many people find these convictions limit their employment prospects and frustrate their family obligations. Other restrictions, like avoiding places that do not serve alcohol, place a strain on social lives.
You may also need to attend an administrative hearing to address the suspension of your driving privileges, separate from any criminal court proceedings.
As such, it’s clear that facing a Steamboat Springs DUI is no small matter and requires the attention of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
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.
Consult with an Experienced Attorney ASAP for Individualized Defense
Even if you feel this situation is hopeless, it is still worth it to consult with a criminal defense lawyer. Facing criminal charges is often a frightening experience, especially for first-time offenders. There may be options that you have not considered, and an attorney with experience in these practice areas will know how to analyze the Colorado law to your advantage.
The criminal justice system is defined by deadlines and strict procedures. Time is of the essence, so if you were arrested for DUI in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, do not delay.
Book a Free Consultation
If you have been accused and charged for a DUI offense in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, you must be worried about the future consequences. A DUI offense can severely damage your reputation. That’s why you need an attorney to help you protect your rights.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation so our lawyer can start working on your criminal defense strategy immediately.
Steamboat Springs DUI Attorney
The Brown Law Firm – Steamboat Springs Office
100 Park Ave
Suite 202,
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
Phone: (970) 871-7400