Facing charges related to substance use and driving? You can't afford to go it alone. Contact Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele today.

Anyone can face charges related to driving under the influence or driving while impaired after one simple mistake. Maybe you believed you were sober enough to drive home. Or perhaps your charges arose from a misunderstanding or an improperly conducted traffic stop.

Whatever the case may be, you have the right to defend yourself in court with the help of an experienced attorney. Margaret Teigen Steele has over 25 years of experience representing clients through DUI, DWAI, and DUID cases in Colorado. Let our firm help you understand your options and guide your next steps.

Contact Steele Law Criminal Defense today for more information.

Understanding Colorado DUI and Related Charges

Colorado recognizes several charges related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• • DUI (Driving Under the Influence): Operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, or driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol to a degree that you cannot operate the vehicle safely
  • DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired): Operating a motor vehicle with a BAC of between 0.05% and 0.079% or while impaired by drugs or alcohol to a degree that you cannot operate the vehicle safely
  • DUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs): Operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs, whether prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, or illegal drugs. DUID does not have a BAC equivalent, and impairment is generally observed through field sobriety tests and driving behavior.

Colorado also recognizes a legal classification of Persistent Drunk Driver (PDD), which is given to:

• • Individuals with certain prior DUI-related convictions
  • Individuals driving with a BAC of 0.15 or higher
  • Individuals who refuse chemical testing

PDDs can lead to harsher penalties than other DUI/DUID offenses.

As you can see, you can face criminal charges in Colorado even if your blood alcohol concentration levels do not reflect significant impairment. If an officer sees that you were acting impaired while driving, they can charge you with a DUI or DWAI. Colorado's DWAI laws also mean that a BAC level as low as 0.05% can lead to jail time and other penalties.

You need an experienced attorney to provide legal guidance from the moment you are charged with a DUI, DWAI, or DUID.

Penalties for Colorado DWAI/DUID/DUI

The penalties you may face for a DWAI/DUID/DUI conviction depend on whether or not this is your first offense and the severity of the charges. Colorado has mandatory jail times for second and third offenses. For first-offense DWAI charges, a defendant may face between two and 180 days of jail time; for first-offense DUI, a defendant may face between five days and one year in jail.

Convictions may also come with fines that correlate to the severity of the charges. Often, defendants are required to complete public service as part of their sentences.

Being convicted of a DWAI/DUID/DUI can also lead to administrative penalties assessed by the DMV. Penalties may include license revocation and points on your license.

You may also be required to complete a drug and alcohol treatment program, attend a MADD Victim Impact Panel, undergo monitored sobriety for a specific period, and use an ignition interlock device if your license is reinstated.

The penalties of a DUI conviction can follow you for years. Allow our law firm to help you build a strong defense to seek the minimum penalties or disprove your charges.

Possible Defenses for Driving Under the Influence Charges

Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele has defended countless clients facing DUI, DWAI, and DUID charges. We can investigate the circumstances of your arrest and the details surrounding your charges to craft a compelling defense, then represent you in court.

Possible defenses for these charges may include:

• • Challenging the legality of the traffic stop
  • Questioning the accuracy of blood or breath tests
  • Demonstrating that drug levels were for medical or therapeutic purposes and were not impairing your ability to drive
  • Showing that symptoms interpreted as impairment were due to a medical condition
  • Asserting that your blood alcohol levels were higher at the time of the blood test than they were at the traffic stop or while driving
  • Demonstrating a lack of evidence of impairment due to drugs, a charge that generally relies on subjective evidence rather than standardized testing

Can You Refuse a Field Sobriety Test in Colorado?

Understanding your rights during a traffic stop can help you make informed decisions about how to proceed. The officer may tell you to complete a field sobriety test, but you may wonder whether you are legally required to do so.

In Colorado, field sobriety tests are voluntary and not required. You can refuse a field sobriety test without immediate repercussions. However, an officer can still arrest you based on other evidence, such as erratic driving, odor of alcohol, and slurred speech. After an arrest, you must submit to a chemical test to measure BAC or drug content, and refusing these tests can lead to automatic license revocation and a PDD classification.

Build Your DUI Defense With Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele

If you were charged with a DUI, DWAI, or DUID, now is the time to seek legal counsel. Attorney Margaret Teigen Steele understands that you are not a criminal; you are just facing criminal charges. Allow us to provide strong representation and defense while approaching your case with the utmost respect, compassion, and professionalism.

I value building long-term relationships with my clients, and your future success is extremely important to me.

You may picture criminal defense attorneys as confrontational and abrupt. I take a different approach—my focus is on helping you gain peace of mind, knowing your case is in experienced, dedicated hands.