Recent Posts in DUI Category

Never Do These Things if You Are Stopped for a DUI

With police officers throughout the country cracking down of DUIs, especially during the holiday season, it is important to know how to handle yourself if you are pulled over by law enforcement for a suspected DUI. In this blog we talk about things you should never do if you are stopped for a DUI . #1: Don’t Be Rude to the Officer When you are stopped by law enforcement, be respectful when ...

Talking DUI: Can I Refuse to Take A Breathalyzer?

If you, more often than not, drive here and there while drinking alcohol, then there’s a high likelihood that you’ll get stopped by the police. And the police might ask you to take a urine test, blood test, or a breathalyzer test. For sure, your primary reaction might be to execute nothing that’d incriminate yourself. Besides, there’s the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination, right? Moving ...

Thanksgiving DUI Statistics

Millions of Americans will be traveling this Thanksgiving to visit their friends and family. Although Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy a delicious meal and spend quality time with your loved ones, it is also a very dangerous time for drivers to be on the road. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has become known as “Thanksgiving Eve” because it is a night that sees an increase in DUI accidents and ...

What You Need to Know About DUI Breathalyzer Tests

When a police officer stops you for a suspected DUI, they can use a variety of tests to conclude whether you are intoxicated. In this blog, we explain the science behind the common testing methods used by law enforcement in Colorado. Breath Tests The following are the 3 most common breathalyzers : Fuel Cell Breathalyzers: With this test, you blow into a chamber on a device that uses an ...

FAQ: Ignition Interlock Devices

Question: What is an ignition interlock device? A: Some DUI convictions result with the person being required to install an interlock device into their vehicle. This device measures the amount of alcohol in a person’s breath to determine if they are sober enough to operate their vehicle. Some interlock devices also ask for periodic retesting while the vehicle is running. Question: How much does an ...

What You Need to Know About DUI & Employment Background Checks

If you have a DUI conviction or impaired driving charge on your record, it can have a major impact on you career, especially if you are required to drive vehicles for the company you are interested in working for. When you apply for a new job, the employer can decide to run a background check on you. Depending on how the employer conducts the background check, your DUI conviction might show up on ...

Do DUI Arrests Increase During the Summer?

Now that summer is here, many people will be going out for picnics and making trips to nearby rivers and lakes. Since people tend to have more free time during the summer months, the roads are generally much busier with drivers, some of whom have had a few too many alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel of their motor vehicle. In addition to increased traffic, summer is also the time ...

Colorado’s Open Container Laws

In order to understand the open container laws in Colorado, they need to be explained in context. In this blog we talk about open container laws and what exceptions apply in certain circumstances. Open Container & Open Consumption of Alcohol Laws In Colorado, there are 3 categories of open container laws: Category 1: Applies to open containers or consumption of alcohol or marijuana within motor ...

Boating Under the Influence: What You Need to Know

While most of us are well aware that every state has DUI laws to help keep drivers safe, many people don’t realize that every state and the federal government has laws against boating under the influence (BUI). These laws permit law enforcement officers to stop boats and other watercrafts, to see if the operators and their passengers are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A BUI charge can be ...

What To Do After You Have Been Arrested For a DUI

If it is your first time being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) , you are likely worrying about what you should do next. After all, being placed under arrest can be a scary experience. In addition to facing fines, increased insurance rates, and jail time; your reputation can also take a hit when you are arrested for DUI. Below, we explain what you should do after you have been ...

Field Sobriety Tests: What You Need to Know

If a police officer suspects that you have been driving under the influence , they will generally ask you to get out of your vehicle and perform a field sobriety test. These tests utilize various physical tasks that are intended to evaluate your capabilities of safely driving a vehicle. Field sobriety tests can include things like making you walk in a straight line or having you stand on one leg ...

What You Need to Know About Marijuana DUIs

Did you know that there are now more marijuana dispensaries in Colorado than there are Starbucks shops? With the growth of the cannabis industry still continuing, arrests for driving under the influence of marijuana has also seen a steady increase as well. However, despite the increasingly legal use of cannabis in Colorado, police still don't have a chemical test to reliably conclude what the drug ...

Do Police Need a Warrant to My Car?

The Fourth Amendment protects citizens of the United States against unlawful search and seizure, whether it is on your person, your home, or your vehicle. If police officers search your car without a warrant or your consent, they are in violation of your constitutional rights. On the other hand, there are several situations in which law enforcement can search a vehicle without a warrant or your ...

Holiday DUI Statistics

It is important for drivers to be extra cautious on the road during the holidays. The chances of being hit by drunk driver substantially increases this time of year. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the number of deaths caused by drunk driving spikes around the holidays. In fact, alcohol is responsible for about 52% of all fatal collisions during Christmas and roughly 57% on New ...

Can Police Take my Blood Without my Consent?

The law in Colorado requires a person arrested for a DUI to submit to a breath or blood test . Under the state’s “expressed consent” law, if there is probable cause that you have been driving under the influence, then you automatically consent to a chemical test of your blood or breath. The same goes if you are suspected to be under the influence of drugs, in which case you submit to a urine test. ...

Colorado Law Enforcement Increases DUI Arrests Over the Holidays

The holiday season always sees a rise in DUI incidents, but with DUI-related deaths especially high this year, law enforcement has become particularly strict. During Thanksgiving and Christmastime families and friends tend to gather more frequently for holiday parties, work events, get-togethers, and the like. At such events, alcohol is commonly in attendance and leads to an increase in impaired ...

Is It Illegal to Refuse a Field Sobriety Test?

Being pulled over by a police officer for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) can be an alarming experience. However, being armed with knowledge in advance can be helpful. Sometimes an officer will ask you to step out of the car to perform a standardized field sobriety test. You may be familiar with what these are, but they generally test your ability to maintain balance and follow ...

Attorney Rhidian Orr Selected to Super Lawyers® List of 2018, 4th Year in a Row

Our firm, Orr Law Firm, is thrilled to announce our very own Attorney Rhidian Orr has been selected to the Super Lawyers® List of 2018--marking his 4 th year in a row of this incredible honor. He has also previously been selected to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars™ List, both in 2011 and 2012. Attorney Orr’s consistent commitment to excellence is admirable, and our legal team is honored to work ...

Should I Refuse a Breath Test?

As you are driving, you notice flashing blue and red lights in the rearview mirror and immediately pull over. After checking your license and registration, the police officer asks you to perform either a preliminary breath test or a field sobriety test . What should you do? What are the consequences if you do or don’t? Expressed Consent Law in Colorado According to Colorado’s “expressed consent” ...

What to Do at a DUI Checkpoint

Whether it’s during the holidays or over the weekend, the purpose of DUI checkpoints is to deter intoxicated driving and keep motorists safe. If you encounter one of these checkpoints, there is a chance you may find yourself arrested and charged, despite any misunderstandings. Remember, you possess rights that may help you avoid further charges and stay safe. For example, laws exist to protect you ...

Can My DUI be Expunged in Colorado?

An expungement clears your criminal record, making it inaccessible to potential employers or to anyone who would need to run a background check. Even if you have not been convicted, but just arrested or charged with a crime, you will still have a criminal record. As a generality, Colorado doesn’t grant expungements for adult DUI cases. In very specific circumstances, an expungement might be ...

Can I be charged with a DUI due to Medical Marijuana?

Everyone knows drinking and driving can land you a DUI , which is why so many of us regularly take use of ridesharing apps such as Uber or Lyft. However, did you know you can still be charged with a DUI because of your medical marijuana usage? In the state of Colorado, you may be charged with a DUI if you operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, as well as if ...

Avoid a DUI this Fourth of July

Fourth of July is one of the most exciting holidays we look forward to all year, as it is the perfect reason to come together with our friends and family to celebrate what is a wonderful commemoration of our nation. With Fourth of July around the corner, you likely already have plans to celebrate with your loved ones, and are looking forward to the pool parties, barbeques, and beautiful firework ...

Are BAC Calculators Accurate?

A Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) calculator can be a useful tool to determine your approximate BAC levels, but there are far more factors that affect your BAC than just the number of drinks you’ve had. These factors can lower your BAC, but some can also raise it. It is important to know about these factors so you can determine for yourself the accuracy of your BAC level calculations. Factors That ...

Memorial Weekend is Over, but is the Heat Off?

Memorial Day Weekend may be over, but the heat isn’t off yet. Denver area residents can expect increased patrols, checkpoints, and enforcement off and on throughout the year. Colorado law enforcement is serious about reducing the number of drivers under the influence, and are planning the crackdowns to help catch drivers who have enjoyed the festivities too much. “The Heat is On” is an initiative ...