One of the most damaging misconceptions about DUI is that it’s no more serious than a traffic violation. This simply isn’t the case. If you are convicted of a traffic violation, which isn’t a crime, you typically only have to pay the court a fine and your criminal history remains clear.
Being arrested for a DUI, however, is different. Even if you aren’t convicted in the end, your arrest is a criminal matter that will show up on your criminal record. This alone can impact your life by potentially limiting who would be willing to employ you or offer you housing, and expungement isn’t a guaranteed process.
Possible DUI Conviction Penalties
If you are convicted of a DUI in Colorado, the severity of possible penalties scales with the circumstances of the DUI incident and how many prior DUI convictions you have.
Here’s a breakdown of how a DUI conviction can impact your life:
- First DUI: Up to 1 year in jail; up to 2 years of probation; $600-$1,000 in fines; and 24-48 hours of public service.
- Second DUI: 10 days to 2 years in jail; 2-4 years of probation; $600-$1,500 in fines; and 48-120 hours of public service.
- Third or Subsequent DUI: 60 days to 2 years in jail; 2-4 years of probation; $600-$1,500 in fines; and 48-120 hours of public service.
- DUI Causing Injury: 2-6 years in prison; mandatory 3-year parole; and up to $500,000 in fines.
- DUI Causing Death: 4-12 years in prison; mandatory 5-year parole; and up to $750,000 in fines.
In addition to these criminal penalties, the court may order you to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for two years after serving two months of your jail sentence. Failure to comply with all post-conviction conditions issued by a judge can result in being held in contempt of a court order, which can result in additional criminal penalties.
You Can Mitigate the Consequences of a DUI Arrest
The legal system is complex, so no guarantees can be made, but you can have a better chance of securing a favorable outcome to DUI charges in Colorado. An experienced DUI lawyer can help you navigate your legal situation to help you fight unfair charges and mitigate the worst possible consequences of a conviction.
We at the Orr Law Firm assisted many previous clients facing DUI charges, helping many to secure better outcomes. With our personalized legal assistance, you can improve your odds of achieving a favorable outcome to your unique legal situation.
For more information about how we can help, contact us online.