(720) 863-7755Resuming Colorado Marijuana DUIs & Drug Recognition Experts: 6 Facts to Know (Pt. 1), here, we will highlight some more important info to know about these professionals and the role they generally play in drug-related DUI cases.
Colorado Marijuana DUIs & Drug Recognition Experts: More Important Facts
Fact 3 – DREs will request urine or blood tests to evaluate the presence of drugs in drivers’ systems.
More than 60 law enforcement agencies in CO have DREs. With growing concerns about nabbing drivers for Colorado marijuana DUIs, these numbers will likely surge in 2015.
Similar to alcohol DUI stops/cases, with alleged Colorado marijuana DUIs and other drug-related DUI cases, officials will request that suspected drivers provide urine and/or blood samples to evaluate their possible intoxication. Per the Colorado implied consent law, motorists have already implicitly consented to providing such samples; while they can refuse to give urine or blood for such testing, however, they should be aware that they can face some penalties for doing so.
Namely, failing to provide these samples can result in motorists’ driver’s licenses being suspended, as well as some additional penalties.
Here, it’s also crucial to note that:
- Motorists suspected of drug use who have already provided breath samples can still be required to provide urine and/or blood samples.
- Unlike with alcohol DUIs, these driver’s license suspensions won’t necessarily be automatic for Colorado marijuana DUIs (and other drug-related DUI cases).
- Charges for Colorado marijuana DUIs (or other drug-related DUI cases) will usually not be filed until the test results from labs come back.
Fact 4 – As of 2015, there are 575 DREs in Colorado.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), at least 575 Colorado law enforcement officials have passed/completed the drug recognition expert program, making them certified DREs. Additionally, CDOT has pointed out that:
- 62 Colorado law enforcement agencies are currently staffed with at least one DRE.
- The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) currently has 64 DREs on staff, making it the agency staffing the most DREs within the state.
All of this underscores the continued, intensifying focus of Colorado law enforcement agencies on targeting potentially high, stoned or otherwise drugged motorists. It also seems to indicate that more law enforcement officials in the state may be stepping up their efforts to get certified DREs on staff and, in doing so, making more arrests for Colorado marijuana DUIs, as well as other drug-related DUIs.
Don’t miss the upcoming conclusion to this blog series for some final important facts to know about Colorado marijuana DUIs and drug recognition experts.
Adams County and Boulder DUI Attorneys at Peter Loyd Weber & Associates
Have you or a loved one been charged with DUI? If so, the Adams County and Boulder DUI attorneys at Peter Loyd Weber & Associates are ready to immediately start defending you.
To talk about your defense and how we can help you, call us today at (720) 863-7755 or email us using the contact form on this page. We offer complimentary consultations, and we take pride in always being available to our clients – 24 hours per day, 7 days per week – so that they have the personal attention their case deserves.
From our offices based in Northglenn, Broomfield and Boulder, we provide the strongest defense and highest quality legal services to our clients throughout Weld County, Adams County and the state of Colorado.
