Colorado DUI Offenses
The following important facts outline the details of a first, second, and third DUI offense, including penalties, fees, insurance, and jail time:
- DUI First offense: For your Colorado DUI first offense, you may face a license revocatio by the Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, especially if you do not contact the DMV to request a hearing within the mandatory seven day period after being arrested for a Colorado DUI. Failure to contact the DMV within seven days will result in an automatic nine month revocation of your license. The maximum criminal punishment for a DUI in Colorado is one year in jail, along with a $1,500 fine, 120 hours of community service, two years of probation, a MADD Victim Impact Panel and 110 hours of alcohol education and therapy.
- DUI Second offense: For a Colorado DUI second offense, the law dictates that you must spend a minimum of ten days in jail. This is still the case even if the prior conviction occurred in another state and/or many years ago. You will also have your license revoked for no less than one year. The amount of time your license will be revoked depends on how much time has passed between the two offenses and whether the prior offense was in the state of Colorado. HB 1347 that went into effect July 1, 2010 has significantly changed the penalties for multiple offenders.
- DUI Third offense: A Colorado DUI third offense will require a minimum sentence of sixty days in jail and up to one year in a county jail. If you are found to be a habitual traffic offender and a drunk driver, you could spend time in jail for a Class 6 felony. You could also lose your license for up to five years depending on how much time has passed between your DUI offenses. In addition, you also face the highest fines imposed on DUI offenders if this is your third or subsequent offense.
Why hiring a good Colorado DUI attorney is important
Going to court alone to defend yourself in a DUI first, second, or third offense is never a good idea. Doing so could result in the highest penalties outlined above, including maximum jail time, maximum fines, and maximum loss of license. Hiring an experienced Colorado DUI lawyer ensures that you are doing all that you can to defend yourself in your DUI case.
Rhidian Orr of The Orr Law Firm is a DUI attorney in Colorado who focuses exclusively on DUI and criminal traffic defense. With passion and fervor, Rhidian Orr will defend you in your DUI case to help you maintain your rights and avoid the worst possible consequences. Rhidian Orr has dedicated his practice to defending those accused of DUI and other serious criminal traffic offenses in Colorado.
Contact us for help
To learn more about Rhidian Orr and his staff of trained professionals, visit the Our Staff page or contact The Orr Law Firm for a no obligation, free consultation to discuss your case and the facts surrounding it.
