Denver DUI Defense Attorney

DUI
In Colorado, there are two main types of alcohol-related driving offenses, classified based on the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The first, Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), applies when a driver’s BAC is between 0.05% and 0.079%. Consequences for a first-time DWAI offense include accruing 8 points towards license suspension, a fine of $200 to $500, 24-48 hours of community service, and a possible jail time of 2 to 180 days. The more serious offense, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), is charged when a driver’s BAC is 0.08% or higher. A first-time DUI can lead to a license suspension for up to a year, a fine of $500 to $1,000, jail time ranging from 5 days to 1 year, 48-96 hours of community service, and mandatory attendance in alcohol education classes for 3 to 9 months. The penalties escalate with second, third, and further offenses. Particularly, a fourth DUI conviction is considered a felony with severe, lasting repercussions. Our firm offers legal assistance for those arrested for DUI, regardless of whether it’s a first or subsequent offense, helping them defend their rights.

DUID

Being charged with Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) can lead to penalties similar to those for alcohol DUI. However, proving DUID in court is more complex. The prosecution must demonstrate that the driver was under the influence of a drug that negatively affected their motor skills, reaction time, or judgment. Technological limitations often make it challenging to accurately measure drug levels and determine how a specific drug impacted the driver at the time of the incident.

For most drugs, unlike alcohol, there is no universally recognized threshold for impairment. Drugs can linger in the body for weeks or months after consumption, complicating the assessment of impairment. Some states implement a per se law, banning driving with any detectable level of illegal drugs, but Colorado currently has no such law, with the exception of THC. If accused of DUID, seeking legal counsel from Reliance Legal could be beneficial.

In Colorado, the legal limit for THC is set at 5 nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood. Measuring active THC levels requires analyzing a blood sample taken soon after the DUID suspicion arises. However, these tests also detect non-impairing inactive THC metabolites, which can lead to misunderstandings in court and potential unfair prosecution. Reliance Legal Services offers expertise in analyzing blood test results to distinguish between impairing and non-impairing THC levels, providing crucial support in DUID cases.