Get the help of an experienced trial attorney on your side. As an experienced Denver DUI lawyer and criminal defense attorney, Matt Chaput will help advocate on your behalf and get you the best possible outcome for your case. Need help? Contact us now.
Several years ago, the Colorado State Legislature enacted a law that makes a fourth DUI a felony. If you have been charged with your 3rd DUI in Colorado, you are facing steeper consequences than those you dealt with for previous convictions and you are in a situation where one more impairment-related traffic offense — even a DWAI charge — can result in a felony on your record. An experienced Denver DUI attorney can help you understand the options that are available to you.
If you get a 3rd DUI in Colorado, as long as it doesn’t involve an accident that resulted in severe bodily injury or death, it will likely still be a misdemeanor charge. However, because Colorado has no “lookback period” for DUIs — that is, an amount of time after which a past conviction will be dropped off of your record. What this means is that, even if your previous two DUI convictions occurred decades ago, you will be sentenced just as severely as you would be if they occurred within the past couple of years. Additionally, Colorado courts consider impairment-related traffic infractions that you committed in other states, even if those infractions weren’t formerly referred to as DUI.
Beyond the misdemeanor and the consequences, a 3rd DUI means that you are only one infraction away from a felony DUI, which poses a risk of increased incarceration, increased fines, and a felony that will appear in background checks conducted for employment, apartment rental, college entry, and other reasons.
The penalties for receiving a 3rd DUI in Colorado can include:
Generally, with a 3rd DUI conviction, a judge will order you to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and may order you to complete alcohol or drug treatment.
You can also potentially be required to install an interlock ignition device on all vehicles you own and drive for a minimum of two years. If you have a previous driving record with a history of traffic-related convictions, you could be deemed a Habitual Traffic Offender, which can result in the revocation of your driver’s license for up to five years.
If your license has been revoked, you can apply for an interlock-restricted license after one month of the revocation period has passed. You will be required to hold this restricted license for 2-5 years until you are eligible for an unrestricted license. When you are eligible to receive your unrestricted license, you will be required to apply for it, pay a fee, submit proof of SR22, submit proof of the completion of alcohol or drug education classes, and other requirements.
Because the consequences of a 3rd DUI are so severe and bring you that much closer to the penalties associated with a felony DUI, it is important for you to contact an experienced Denver DUI lawyer as soon as possible. One of the first things your attorney can attempt to do for you is fight your license suspension through a DMV hearing within 7 days after your arrest.
Your attorney will also examine the facts of your case carefully to see if there was an improper procedure that could result in evidence against you being suppressed or even having the case dismissed. Some of the issues DUI attorneys commonly look for include:
Your attorney will examine the evidence in your case, such as witness statements, arrest records, police equipment records, and vehicle records. If there are no procedural errors that could result in dismissal or suppression of evidence, your attorney can also negotiate with the prosecutor in order to reach a plea deal that can reduce the consequences you face.
Chaput Law is a top-rated Colorado law firm that focuses on DUI and Criminal Defense. We represent clients in Denver, Highlands Ranch, Littleton Colorado, and all surrounding cities in Arapahoe and Douglas Counties.
If you are looking for a Denver DUI Defense Attorney that offers aggressive defense no matter the case, look no further.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Don’t make the mistake of trying to defend yourself or pleading guilty or no contest just because you want to get this behind you. A conviction for ANY charge can have lasting consequences that you should be aware of before making any decisions.
All Consultations Are Free of Charge
