If you have been arrested for DUI or DWAI in Colorado, you could be facing fines, jail time or possibly even an interlock device. A DUI charge is nothing to take lightly, and you should make sure you hire a DUI attorney in Greeley, CO as soon as possible after your DUI arrest.
A DUI charge means that you had a blood alcohol content of over .08 while you were driving. For DWAI, your BAC would have to be between .05 and .08. The penalties for DUI and DWAI change depending on how many prior instances of drinking and driving you may have. For a first offense, you could be facing up to a year in jail, up to a $1000 fine and a nine-month suspension of your driver’s license. This penalty goes up depending on how many prior convictions you have on your record for DUI or DWAI. There could be additional sentences of being forced to install an interlock device for your second or higher offense, along with penalties such as community service. Finally, you could also face driver’s license revocation for refusing to take a breathalyzer when requested to by law enforcement.
There are other impacts on your life as well. DUI and DWAI are criminal charges, meaning that you would officially have a criminal record. This could create difficulties for you when it comes to anything where a criminal background check is done on you, employment, for example. You will also have to pay far more for car insurance because of a DUI or related charge. Finally, having your driver’s license revoked could result in social and employment issues if you lack the ability to drive.