Breckenridge Criminal Defense Law Blog

Being arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Colorado can change your life in an instant. You might not be able to return to work if you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or are required to drive a company vehicle. This means you could have trouble finding employment and taking care of your family. So, how do you protect your future after a DUI charge?

The first step in protecting your future is to invoke your right to remain silent during the arrest. Don't offer any information to the officer aside from your name and date of birth. You don't have to answer questions without the presence of an attorney. You should then request to have an attorney with you when answering questions.

If you suffer an injury or have a surgical procedure, chances are your doctor prescribed a pain medication. The more serious your situation, the more powerful the pain killer you may need. An experienced doctor knows what to prescribe, the dose, how often you should take it and for how long. Your prescription may allow you to request a refill if the pain persists, or you may have to contact your doctor to request additional pills.

Everyone is different, but your doctor knows that at a certain point in your recovery, your pain should decrease so that you can function without the use of powerful narcotic drugs. He or she may refuse to refill your prescription or recommend that you use an over-the-counter pain medication. What you do next can affect the rest of your life.

Colorado readers understand there are strict penalties associated with underage drinking and underage possession of marijuana. There are also strict penalties for possession of a fake identification, which is how many individuals under the age of 21 are able to obtain marijuana and alcohol. If you are facing charges because someone caught you with a fake ID, it is smart to take your situation seriously.

Any type of criminal charge is a threat to your future, and a strong criminal defense is an important part of protecting your interests. Possession of a fake ID may not seem like a big deal, but it can leave a mark on your record that can affect you down the road. It is smart to learn how you can defend yourself if caught with a fake ID or facing related charges.

Driving under the influence is a serious issue that results in thousands of deaths per year in Colorado and the rest of the country. People make mistakes. Some people make the same mistake more than once. A felony charge for driving under the influence (DUI) comes when a person has been charged with the crime for a fourth or subsequent time in Colorado. Today, we will take a look at the penalties for felony DUI in the state.

A person charged with a fourth or subsequent DUI in Colorado faces the following penalties if convicted:

• A mandatory sentence of 90 days in prison
• No more than 180 days in prison
• No option for a reduction in sentence due to good behavior
• Defendant does receive credit for time served after initial arrest and prior to being convicted