Boulder DUI Attorney

Colorado DUI Process

The DUI process begins as soon as you are arrested and brought into custody for driving under the influence. The next step in the DUI process is the DMV hearing. The hearing is a separate process from the criminal trial, and must be scheduled within 7 days of your arrest. At the hearing, you will be given the opportunity to challenge the suspension of your driver’s license, which will be confiscated immediately upon arrest. If you are successful at the hearing, you will get your driver’s license back. However, losing at the hearing will result in a license suspension of 9 months to one year.

In addition to a DMV hearing, you will also be required to appear in criminal court to address your charges. The first step in the criminal case is the arraignment. At the arraignment you will be advised of your rights and permitted to enter your plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

After you have entered your plea, your attorney will meet with the prosecution to discuss the case at a pre-trial hearing. The purpose of this hearing is to negotiate with the prosecution for a plea bargain or for a reduction or dismissal of the charges.

The next step in the DUI process is the suppression hearing, where your attorney will attempt to motion to suppress any or all evidence against you. Evidence will be suppressed if it was obtained unlawfully, or if it was obtained in a way that violated your Constitutional rights.

If your case isn’t settled outside of court, it will move to trial. During the trial, both your attorney and the prosecution will present evidence and testimony before a judge and jury. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury will either find you guilty or not guilty of the charges. If you are found not guilty your charges will be dropped and your case will be dismissed. If you are found guilty, your case will move to sentencing. The sentence for DUI typically includes fines, probation, community service, mandatory DUI classes, and sometimes incarceration.

Contact a Boulder DUI Lawyer

If you have been arrested and charged with DUI in Boulder County, working with an attorney who has extensive experience in DUI law will be highly advantageous to your case.