The fees revolving around DUI depend on the severity of a case and whether it is a first or repeated offense. It’s noteworthy to mention that the costs of DUI in Colorado may increase with each repeated offense. Here’s a more detailed costs breakdown:</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Car Towing and Storage Fees</STRONG></H4> <P>After a person has been arrested for DUI, their car may be towed. There may be an additional towing fee for large or heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and busses. Meanwhile, there will also be a daily fee for the car storage until it is ready for release.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Bond and Bail Fees</STRONG></H4> <P>People arrested for DUI in Colorado may have to pay a bond or pay a percentage of their bond to a bondsman. Failure to pay for them will mean that the person arrested for DUI will remain in jail until the completion of their case. Additionally, these costs are considered pre-trial fees, meaning they will have to pay regardless of whether they are convicted.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Fines</STRONG></H4> <P>Assuming that it is the first offense and the incident did not cause property damage or bodily injuries to other parties, the baseline fine for a 1<SUP>st</SUP>, 2<SUP>nd</SUP>, and 3<SUP>rd</SUP> DUI may set you back four figures. For a 4<SUP>th</SUP> DUI charge, which in Colorado is classified as a felony offense, the fine could skyrocket up to half a million dollars.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Alcohol Education Classes </STRONG></H4> <P>There are two levels of alcohol education programs. Arrested minors (below 21 yrs. old) are required to take level 1 classes. Meanwhile, level 2 classes are usually reserved for arrested adults. The cost of these alcohol classes varies depending on the fees set by the institution you choose to enroll in.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Probation Fees</STRONG></H4> <P>The cost of probation for DUI in Colorado can roughly go around four figures. However, the exact amount will depend on how long a person will be court order to be on probation.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Ignition Interlock Device (IID)</STRONG></H4> <P>Another hefty penalty for DUI is the often-required installation of IID. Apart from the installation, people charged with DUI will also need to pay a rental fee for the device. The overall cost for both can approximately go more or less a few thousand dollars.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>License Renewal/Reinstatement</STRONG></H4> <P>After their license suspension, people charged with DUI will need to reinstate and renew their license by paying a fee to the DMV. They will also have to present proof of liability insurance.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Insurance Rates</STRONG></H4> <P>Once a person has been convicted of a DUI, they may experience an increase in their auto insurance rates. Their respective insurance provider will determine the exact cost, but they can expect a 60% to 70% spike rate.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Turn to Maher & Maher Law, PC </STRONG></H4> <P>If you’re facing DUI charges, don’t hesitate to hire a DUI lawyer. At Maher & Maher Law, PC, we have experienced and passionate attorneys who can help with your case. If you want to learn more about our DUI lawyer cost, you may call us at (719) 301-7500. We offer a free consultation.
But this comes with a lot of conditions, including installing an ignition interlock device (IID) on the offender’s vehicle. Continue reading to learn more about it:</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>What Are IID</STRONG>s<STRONG> Used For?</STRONG></H4> <P>Ignition interlock devices (IID) or interlock systems are alcohol breath tester devices, and they are similar to breathalyzers in appearance. The only distinct difference in their function is that IIDs are installed in one’s vehicle, and it requires the driver’s breath to be 100% alcohol-free (or below the preset limit) for the car engine to start.</P> <P> </P> <P>Contrary to popular belief, interlock ignition devices aren’t reserved exclusive for those with DUI cases. Anyone can voluntarily have it installed in their car if they please. For instance, some parents install an <A href="/criminal-defense/dui/">interlock system</A> on their children’s cars to prevent them from driving drunk.</P> <P><STRONG> </STRONG></P> <H4><STRONG>How Does It Work?</STRONG></H4> <P>Before a person can start driving, they first need to blow or breathe on their IID. Their breath should be alcohol-free or below the threshold set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the engine to start.</P> <P> </P> <P>Apart from the initial breath test, IIDs also require additional breath analyzer tests during the entire ride. These repeated tests ensure that the driver remains sober throughout the trip.</P> <P>Most IIDs will not know the difference between liquors and other personal items that contain alcohol, like an alcohol-based mouthwash. So it’s best to avoid them to get favorable IID results. IIDs can also detect perfumes, ethyl or isopropyl alcohol, so it’s better not to use them while in the car.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Are Interlock Ignition Devices Free?</STRONG></H4> <P>The cost of the installation and rental, as well as the maintenance of an interlock ignition device, will be shouldered by the drivers. If they can’t afford to pay for the installation’s full cost, they may get financial assistance from the state subject to eligibility requirements.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Get in Touch with Maher & Maher Law, PC</STRONG></H4> <P>If you face DUI, DWAI, or DUI per se charges, don’t hesitate to reach out to Maher & Maher Law, PC. We have experienced attorneys who spent years handling DUI cases in Colorado. Call us today for a free consultation.
If an officer pulls over a driver who appears to be suspect of drunk driving and asks them to take standard field sobriety or a preliminary breath test, those examinations are considered preliminary tests. A person can legally decline them without getting penalized.</P> <P> </P> <P>However, saying no to a preliminary examination doesn’t automatically mean that they can drive home freely. The officer can still arrest them for DUI if they find other “clues” that give them probable cause to believe the person is driving under the influence.</P> <P> </P> <P>Now, following Colorado’s express consent law, one a driver is arrest for DUI, they must give their consent to undergo DUI chemical testing or evidentiary examination if the law officer suspects them of the following:</P> <P> </P> <UL> <LI>Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, drugs, or marijuana</LI> <LI>DUI per se</LI> <LI>Driving while ability impaired (DWAI)</LI> <LI>Underage drinking and driving (UDD)</LI> </UL> <P> </P> <P>If a person got arrested for any of these, they have the right to decline an evidentiary breathalyzer test or blood test. However, this refusal bears serious penalties such as:</P> <P> </P> <UL> <LI>Automatic suspension of their driver’s license for up to a year. They may, however, apply for reinstatement of their driving privileges after two months.</LI> <LI>After restoring their driving privileges, they may be required to install an interlock ignition device (IID) on their vehicle for a year.</LI> <LI>Proof of SR-22 Insurance to the DMV that they are indeed carrying the mandated liability coverage for DUI, even if they were not convicted.</LI> <LI>Of course, another tough penalty for refusing a breathalyzer test or blood test is that the law officers can use that as evidence against them in court for the DUI charge.</LI> </UL> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Trust Maher & Maher Law, PC</STRONG></H4> <P>If you have been arrested for DUI, you must contact a DUI attorney right away. At Maher & Maher Law, PC, we have lawyers who have spent years representing DUI cases in court. We are highly passionate about helping our clients, and we will do everything we can to defend their rights. If you need an attorney to handle your case, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We offer free consultations.
On a person’s fourth DUI offense, the case may instead be filed as a class 4 felony. The upgraded charge can be made if there is proof any three prior DUI-related convictions such as the following:</P> <P> </P> <UL> <LI>DUI Per Se</LI> <LI>DWAI</LI> <LI>Vehicular Assault</LI> <LI>Vehicular Homicide</LI> </UL> <P> </P> <P> </P> <P>It also wouldn’t matter if the previous offenses happened outside of the state since the Colorado court counts all prior DUI convictions within the US.</P> <P> </P> <P>However, there are instances where a first, second, or third offense is automatically raised to a <A href="/criminal-defense/dui/">class 4 felony DUI</A> instead of a misdemeanor such as cases where someone was seriously injured, or worse, killed during the incident.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Penalties</STRONG></H4> <P>Felony DUIs bear tougher consequences compared to misdemeanor DUIs. The fines under Felony DUI can range from 4 to 6 figures and the offender may be sentenced to 2 to 6 years in prison.</P> <P> </P> <P>If the court grants probation, the offender may spend 90 to 180 days in jail or 120 days up to 2 years in jail through an alternative-sentencing program. They will also be required to complete 48 to 120 hours of community service and finish a level II alcohol and drug education program.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Turn to Maher & Maher Law, PC</STRONG></H4> <P>If you are charged with felony DUI, don’t hesitate to call an experienced DUI lawyer right away. At Maher & Maher Law, PC we have great DUI attorneys that can handle DUI-related cases and more. Call us today at (719) 301-7500 for a free consultation.
However, as months passed, a few COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in hopes of rebooting the economy. Nowadays, people can go back to working in their offices as long as they regularly get tested.</P> <P> </P> <P>In line with that, as people get more adjusted to the “COVID-19 lifestyle” they seemed to no longer mind going outside to have a good time. As a matter of fact, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, alcohol consumption has significantly increased during the pandemic throughout the country. And in December 2020 alone, about 320 suspected drunk drivers got arrested.</P> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Safety Measures During a DUI Arrest</STRONG></H4> <P>It is specified under the Colorado express consent law that all drivers should submit to an evidentiary breath or blood test upon their arrest. However, some people—mostly law enforcement officers, question the safety of breathalyzer tests. Since studies showed that the virus can stay long on-air and breath tests require a person to breathe into a device, police officers are skeptical about performing them.</P> <P> </P> <P>Because of this, the International Association of Chiefs of Police released an enhanced safety protocol for law officers during the initial screening of a <A href="/criminal-defense/dui/">DUI arrest</A>. Here they are:</P> <P> </P> <UL> <LI>Officers should maintain a six-foot distance while the alleged violator is taking the breath test.</LI> <LI>Although it isn’t strictly implemented, officers are encouraged to wear face shields and PPEs on top of masks during the breath test or limit close contact to less than five minutes.</LI> <LI>The examination should be done in an open space or a place with good ventilation.</LI> <LI>Officers should probe right away if the alleged violator has been feeling any symptoms of COVID-19, or if they’re living with a person who has symptoms. If the answer is yes, the officer should ask assistance from a healthcare provider and take the alleged suspect to the nearest healthcare facility if necessary.</LI> <LI>Officers should wash their hands or sanitize them with alcohol before and after every test.</LI> </UL> <P> </P> <H4><STRONG>Turn to Maher & Maher Law, PC</STRONG></H4> <P>If you were arrested for DUI during COVID-19 in Colorado, act quickly and hire an experienced lawyer. At Maher & Maher Law, PC, we have two reputable DUI attorneys who can handle your case. Our law firm is open 24/7. Call us now for a free consultation.
