DUI Lawyer in Denver, CO
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After a night on the town, after one too many beers, many people believe that they are sober enough to get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Too often accidents happen that can cause vehicle or property damage, injury, or even death. This is why drunk driving is taken seriously in every one of our fifty states, and Colorado is certainly no exception. Understanding both the short and long term effects of being charged with a DUI (driving under influence) or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) is extremely important. Those charged with a DUI or DWAI can run into the following issues:
- Severe financial strain or liability
- Substantial limits on driving privileges
- Increased automobile insurance costs
- Mandatory attendance of alcohol related counseling
- Expenditures of time and effort in complying with community service requirements
- Jail time
Punishment for alcohol-related driving offenses also increases dramatically for second, third, and subsequent convictions. Although not all DUI charges are created equal, many are defensible. That is why it is critical that you contact Tom immediately after your DUI or DWAI incident. Tom is a talented and knowledgeable defense attorney, who will extensively investigate all aspects of your case, so he can formulate your defense against your DUI or DWAI, including:
- The reason you were pulled over
- The police officer(s) involved in the initial contact
- The equipment used to determine your level of sobriety
- The specific evidence against you
Tom has the experience as a DUI lawyer, Parker, Castle Rock, Littleton, Centennial, and Colorado residents throughout the state can trust in handling all drunk-driving matters, no matter how complicated. It is important to remember that, in The United States of America, a person is innocent until proven guilty. Being charged with a drunk driving offense is not proof of one’s guilt. For example, under Colorado’s “expressed consent” law, if the arresting officer has probable cause to believe a person has been driving under the influence, they can require the driver to take a blood test or breathalyzer test in order to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC). Refusing to comply with the officer’s orders can result in a suspended license or more severe punishment.
Roadside Tests:
Contrary to popular belief, the roadside tests conducted on suspected drunk drivers are completely voluntary. You do not have to do these! Officers often tell suspects that if they refuse “testing” they will lose their license “automatically”. This is the officer’s way of getting you to take roadside sobriety tests and this statement is only half true. It is true that you can lose your license if you refuse a chemical test; however, there are no additional penalties for refusing voluntary field sobriety tests. That is why they are voluntary. Understand that your performance on these tests can and will be used against you. However, it is important to distinguish between the field sobriety tests and a chemical test and to ensure that the officer knows that you are declining the roadside sobriety tests, not a blood or breath test.
Probable Cause:
In Colorado, an officer must establish probable cause before you can be arrested and required to submit to a chemical test. Arresting officers will attempt to establish probable cause through the performance and evaluation of voluntary roadside maneuvers, also known as Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, (see above). These tests were developed and formulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and have been adopted throughout the country. These tests are designed to detect impairment due to alcohol consumption. It is imperative for your DUI lawyer to understand the administration of these tests and the analysis of the results. There are numerous maneuvers that are used by local law enforcement to determine impairment and/or intoxication; however, there are three standardized tests that are most commonly used in Colorado. The Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) is a battery of three tests administered and evaluated in a standardized manner to obtain validated indicators of impairment and establish probable cause for arrest. Tom understands that all of the factors that go into a DUI case are multi-layered and he knows exactly how to put these factors together to attempt to achieve the following outcomes:
- Secure an outright acquittal or dismissal of your charges
- Lessen the severity of your punishment
- Reduce your amount of fines and penalties
- Protect your right to drive a motor vehicle
- Lighten your community service requirements
- Mitigate the impact of a DUI conviction on your life
- Address and resolve DMV consequences
Thomas A. Ramunda Jr. is a talented defense attorney. Our office is committed to providing you with sound legal representation for your DUI or DWAI case. Contact us for a consultation about your case. Watch this short video to learn how we can help you defend your DUI offense.