(720) 863-7755A DUI arrest in Colorado will generally be followed by felony charges when the individual has at least three prior DUI convictions. In these cases, the charges will usually be filed as Class 4 felonies, which can be punishable by up to 6 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000.
Colorado Felony DUIs: Important Facts to Know
An Adams County DUI attorney explains when DUIs are filed as felonies in CO.
In addition to the above information about felony DUIs in Colorado, here’s what else is important to know about these charges and cases:
- Prior DUI convictions – In terms of evaluating how many prior DUIs someone has (to determine when felony DUI charges may come into play), DUIs acquired in Colorado, as well as in any of the 44 other states that are part of the Interstate Driver’s License Compact (IDLC), will be counted. In other words, it’s irrelevant if the prior DUIs were acquired in Colorado if these cases were in states that share DUI information per the IDLC.
- Felony DUI penalties – Although felony DUI convictions in Colorado can come with penalties that are far harsher than those associated with misdemeanor DUI convictions, judges have discretion in these cases to order treatment in lieu of prison time. In fact, the law states that judges can weigh out the facts of the case, as well as a defendant’s history of and/or willingness to engage in treatment, when handing down sentences in felony DUI cases.
A few more important facets about the Colorado felony DUI law include that:
- It has increased the interlock ignition device (IID) requirement for repeat DUI offenders, extending it from one to at least two (and up to five) years to try to deter drunk driving.
- It is expected to impact at least 10,000 motorists by 2017, as about 1 in every 3 DUI arrests in Colorado involves a motorist who has a prior DUI and/or is classified as a “persistent drunk driver.”
To view the entire Colorado felony DUI statute, click here.
Contact an Adams County DUI Attorney at Peter Loyd Weber & Associates
Have you or a loved one been charged with a DUI? If so, an Adams County DUI attorney at Peter Loyd Weber & Associates is ready to immediately start defending you. Our primary concern is protecting your constitutional rights throughout the criminal process while helping you obtain the best possible outcome to your case.
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.
