The state of Colorado has two terms for charges of driving while intoxicated: DUI, which stands for “driving under the influence,” and DWAI, or “driving while ability impaired.” DUI normally includes people who have been drinking and driving, but it could also include those who have taken other drugs that affect driving skills. The blood alcohol content for driving under the influence is .08 percent. DWAI is used to identify drivers who have a blood alcohol content that is greater than .05 percent but less than .08 percent. It is typically reserved for those who may have taken prescription medications or liquids that, while legal, could impact one’s ability to drive. Drivers under the age of 21 will receive a DUI charge if the blood alcohol level is .02 percent or greater. There is also an enhanced level, or aggravated blood alcohol content, that is .17 percent.
Implied Consent
Colorado DUI laws include an implied consent statute, which means drivers are required to submit to a chemical test if they are pulled over under the suspicion of driving while intoxicated. If you don’t submit to the test, then you will be fined. The amount of the fine will be based on how many charges you have and if there are any aggravating factors that led to the charge. Your license will also be automatically suspended. There are different lengths of time for which your license can be suspended. This is again based on the number of prior charges. For each driving offense, the same amount of time. For example, the first offense results in the license being suspended for one year or the third offense for three years.
Pleading A Lower Charge and Felonies
Defendants may have the option to plead for a lesser charge called “wet reckless.” If the charge involves alcohol, then, based on Colorado DUI Laws, it could be reduced to reckless driving instead of driving while intoxicated. Legislators are currently looking at trying to get some DUI charges passed as felonies. However, if you are convicted of a DUI in the state of Colorado, it is considered a Class II traffic misdemeanor until the legislation is passed. A felony charge would apply to those who have multiple DUI charges, and those who only have one or two would still fall under the misdemeanor category. The reason the felony charge has not been passed is because legislators believe the jails would become overcrowded with the number of people who receive convictions. If you receive a DUI, you could be placed in jail for three to 18 months as well as face fines ranging from $250 to $1,000.
If you have been charged with a DUI, consult an attorney to find out if the charges can be lowered. The attorney may be able to help in plea bargaining so that you could get your license back sooner than the required length of time if you attend classes or agree to an ignition interlock device being installed in your car. The ignition interlock device measures your blood alcohol content and will lock the ignition until the level is lowered.