Before law enforcement arrests a driver for driving under the influence, the officer must have a reason to pull the driver over as well as reason to suspect that the person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Police use three main identifiers in the process of...
What you should expect during a DUI traffic stop
When pulled over by a law enforcement official, it is helpful to know what can happen next. When an officer conducts a traffic stop, for example, he or she cannot request a field sobriety test unless you display signs of intoxication. An officer has the authority to...
DUI penalties in Colorado
Colorado is one of the few states that penalizes drivers with a blood alcohol content below 0.08%. The threshold for a driving while ability impaired charge is just 0.05% and carries most of the same penalties as a charge of driving under the influence (0.08%...
Do I need UIM Coverage?
Many clients who come to our office unfortunately do not have Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (“UIM”) insurance coverage. Most of those times, the client simply does not know what UIM is, or it was never fully explained to him or her. “Do I need UIM coverage?” is a...
What will the DMV do after a DUI?
What will the DMV do after a DUI? The Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) can take your license if you are convicted of DUI. But even before you are convicted, the DMV can take your license. That’s because, in DUI cases, the penalties you face from the DMV are...
What is bail?
What is bail? And how is it set? If you’re arrested, getting out of jail—“bailing out”—is your top priority. Bail allows you to stay out of jail while you are facing the charges against you. Your bail bond is essentially a written promise that you make to the court....
When are your First Amendment rights at stake?
When are your First Amendment rights at stake? Only if the government is acting. People restrict speech all the time. Organizations often punish others for the things they say. The NFL recently tried to institute a policy regarding players’ protests during the...
What is perjury?
What is perjury? Great question. We see the term perjury being thrown around in the media. We see it in relation to criminal defendants. We also see it used in relation to people who are testifying before Congress. Often, it seems like the people using the term on...
Will I lose my license for a DUI?
Will I lose my license for a DUI? Losing your license can be one of the most serious consequences of a DUI. It affects your ability to drive to work, make it to appointments, or otherwise get around during the day. When you’re charged with DUI, you’re looking at...
The cops didn’t read me my rights…does it matter?
“Man, that cop didn’t read me my rights!” Lots of people who come into our office when they’ve been accused of a crime will often say this. But does it matter? Do the cops have to read your rights[1] to you when they are talking to you? The answer, as usual, is “It...
