As the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaches, many people will take needed breaks from family by grabbing a drink or two with friends the day before. In fact, the day before Thanksgiving has become such a popular time for going out that some have started calling it “Blackout Wednesday,” according to Bloomberg.
Of course, this means that law enforcement officers will be on the lookout for motorists who are under the influence of alcohol. As a result, here are the most important things to remember if you are having a few drinks this holiday weekend.
1. The Colorado State Police will increase patrols over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Historically, the CSP has taken action over the entire Thanksgiving weekend to stop and arrest those suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol. Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday – from Tuesday through Monday – 346 people were arrested for drunk driving, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
2. If you have prior DUI convictions, Colorado’s new felony DUI law could affect you. Over the summer, a new law was passed in Colorado that changed the penalties for individuals who are convicted of multiple DUI offenses in the state.
Before the new law was passed, the convictions were the same, regardless of the number of prior DUI convictions. Now, a fourth DUI arrest in Colorado can lead to Class 4 felony charges. Consequently, individuals could face a fine of up to $500,000 and up to six years in prison if convicted.
3. You need to talk to a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. These tough penalties mean you need to make sure you have someone advocating for your rights after facing DUI charges in Colorado.
The attorneys at The Foley Law Firm, are committed to working on your behalf and helping you through this tough situation. Waiting to call an attorney can have serious repercussions, so it is a good idea to call a criminal defense attorney promptly.
