Should I Plead Guilty If I Got A DUI

In a word: NO!

A Colorado drunk driving charge is a serious criminal charge and among the most common charges filed by law enforcement. More than 80 people a day are charged with drunk driving – or about one driver every 15 minutes.

The Denver drunk driving defense attorneys at Rosenthal & Heymann understand the anger, frustration and embarrassment that frequently result when a motorist is charged with drunk driving. Unfortunately, many times it is a person’s first real experience with the criminal justice system and too often they decide to plead guilty in an attempt to put the charge behind them and get on with their life.

We think that is a mistake. For starters, a DUI conviction can result in job loss or make it difficult or impossible to obtain certain jobs or enter certain professions. Additionally, a Colorado drunk driving conviction can result in jail time, the suspension of your driver’s license, significant fines and court costs, and can require community service, alcohol treatment, ignition interlock devices and other legal restrictions. Violations of court conditions frequently result in additional legal issues.

Perhaps most importantly, Colorado’s DUI law uses a tiered system for repeat offenders, who face lengthy jail time and license suspensions for repeat offenses. And statistics suggest a motorist with a DUI conviction is more likely to be arrested and charged with a subsequent drunk driving offense. While 30,000 people are arrested for drunk driving each year, those charged represent less than 1 percent of Colorado’s population. However, about one-third of those arrested have a previous conviction. Perhaps they are habitual offenders. But we think it is just as likely that driving around with a DUI conviction on your record is a real good way to get yourself stopped and questioned by law enforcement. Certainly it is almost impossible to argue that a police officer would not have reason for increased vigilance in determining whether you are under the influence during a subsequent traffic stop.

The Denver DUI defense attorneys at Rosenthal & Heymann believe a motorist’s best course of action is to fight a drunk driving charge and to do everything possible to maintain a clean driving record. Our attorneys offer comprehensive drunk driving defense throughout the Denver area, including Lakewood, Englewood, Boulder and Aurora.

Just because you are arrested for drunk driving, doesn’t mean you will convicted of drunk driving. By some accounts, as many as half of those charged with drunk driving in Colorado are able to seek a reduction or dismissal of the charges. By challenging evidence, including the probable cause for the traffic stop and the results of breathalyzer or field sobriety examinations, an experienced attorney can fight for your driving rights and work to keep a criminal conviction for drunk driving off your driving record.

If you have been charged with DUI, contact the Denver drunk driving defense lawyers at Rosenthal & Heymann for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.

Rosenthal & Heymann – Call 303-825-2223 – Free Consultation