Matt Chaput

COLORADO CRIMINAL DEFENSE & DUI ATTORNEY

If you have been charged with a DUI, or any criminal charge, often the first question is whether you should hire an attorney. The short answer is yes, you should always speak with an attorney. Even when I was a Deputy District Attorney, I would advise people to speak with an attorney before making decisions. Having an attorney is a right given to us by the United States Constitution and one that everyone should take advantage of. Being charged and convicted of a crime can impact all aspects of your life. It can affect your job, your ability to drive, ability to leave the state, and ultimately your freedom. A Denver DUI lawyer can help explain the impact that a DUI will have on your life.

A DUI has many technical aspects and an experienced Denver DUI lawyer can work through those aspects and help you make an informed decision. Without a criminal defense attorney, you may not know if the police had reasonable suspicion to stop your vehicle, whether they had probable cause to request a test of your blood, and whether all the proper steps were followed when testing the blood. A mistake by the police on any one of those aspects can have a big impact on how a case proceeds. You do not want to leave your livelihood and your liberty in the hands of someone you do not know. Retaining a Denver DUI lawyer will put someone in your corner who knows what to look for in a case and the best way to proceed.

Should I Hire a DUI Lawyer or Criminal Defense Attorney?

If you do not have knowledge of the law and want to increase the chances of a favorable outcome of your case, it’s always smart to at least speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney about the options before you make a plea or talk to prosecutors. When you hire an attorney, it becomes their job to advocate on your behalf and fight the District Attorney in court to give you the best possible outcome.

If you have doubts about whether your rights were violated or you need someone to give you straightforward, no-pressure advice on what you should expect from your charges, pick up the phone and call now. Matt Chaput and his legal team support two convenient locations: Castle Rock criminal defense attorneys, and Highlands Ranch criminal defense attorneys.

What Will It Cost to Defend My Case In Colorado?

The answer to that question often depends on your driving history and any past DUI. In Colorado, penalties go up for each subsequent DUI. For instance, a fourth DUI may be charged as a felony. These escalating penalties will have an impact on how much a DUI attorney will charge. Of course, each case is different and you may or may not have factors involved in your case that would allow it to be dismissed or reduced to a lesser charge. The only way to know for sure is to contact us today for a free, honest assessment of your charges.

Here are some facts you should know about Colorado DUI:

• Colorado has two main DUI offenses. Driving under the influence and driving while ability impaired.
• Penalties go up if a person has had multiple DUIs; for second and third offenses jail time will be imposed.
• A fourth offense may be charged as a felony, which could result in prison time.
• When Charged with a DUI or DWAI in Colorado you are also facing a loss of your driver’s license through an administrative hearing.
• In order to get a hearing with the DMV you must notify them in writing within 7 days of your arrest.
• Colorado has an express consent statute. Essentially that statute requires a person suspected of Driving under the influence, to submit to either a blood or breath test.
• Colorado allows for two different types of testing to determine how much alcohol is in your system. The types of tests that can be administered are both Blood and Breath.
• Prosecutors can use your refusal to take a test against you in court.
• Officers must follow certain procedures when administering these tests. Failure to do so may affect their reliability and admissibility in court.