This article will provide you with some information about Colorado's DUI process and offer advice on navigating the situation.
In Colorado, anyone under 21 caught driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) between .02% and .05% will be charged with a UDD (underage drinking and driving). If it is the first conviction, your teen will receive up to a $150 fine, 24 hours of public service and a three-month license suspension.
Furthermore, they may also be charged with a Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP), which carries a $250 fine and 24 hours of community service.
If the juvenile is a repeat offender, has a BAC above .08%, or if they cause injuries or property damage, they may face more severe penalties, including jail time. As a result, a juvenile DUI conviction can have significant consequences.
If your teenager has recently been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), you may feel various emotions, from anger to worry. It is important to remember that your teenager is going through a tough time as well, and they will need your support. Here are a few tips for helping your teenager through their DUI:
Finally, seek legal help as soon as possible. You need someone to review the facts of your child's case and advise you on the best course of action. In some cases, it may be possible to have the charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
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This can make driving in the winter a challenge. This blog post will discuss some tips for driving safely in Colorado's winter weather.
Whether traveling a long distance to visit family or just making a run to the grocery store, keep these winter driving tips in mind whenever you hit the road.
Check your tires and ensure they have plenty of tread. If your tires are worn, consider replacing them before the winter season begins. Also, remember to change your oil and check your battery.
The best way to stay safe on the roads is to slow down and drive carefully. In addition, be sure to increase your following distance, as it takes longer to stop in snowy or icy conditions.
It's essential to make sure you have plenty of gas before heading out. This will ensure that you don't run out of fuel in the event of unexpected delays and that you can keep warm if you end up stranded.
The kit should include items like a first-aid kit, a flashlight, blankets, and snacks. These can be invaluable if you get stuck in a snowstorm on the highway.
One of the biggest dangers on the road is black ice. Black ice is often invisible and can form quickly, making it treacherous for drivers. If you suspect black ice may be present, slow down and drive cautiously.
Unfortunately, even the most cautious drivers can't always avoid being involved in a collision. There are too many variables on the road for anyone to be able to control everything all the time. If you or a loved one are injured in a car accident, it's crucial that you receive compensation for your injuries.
]]>While most federal crimes can occur anywhere, to be charged with a DUI as a federal crime, you must have been driving on land owned by the federal government or anywhere that is federal property.
There are millions of acres of federally owned property in the U.S. Your first thought may be of national parks and forests. Those are examples. There are many other types of federal property, including:
A DUI on a road or in a parking lot at any of these locations or on any other property owned by the U.S. Government would likely be a federal DUI.
The laws under which a person charged with a federal DUI is tried depend on the location where the alleged offense occurred. A person arrested for DUI in a national park is charged under the federal code. If they’re arrested on any other type of federal property, they’re charged according to the laws of the state where the arrest occurred.
Just as in every state, you can be charged with a federal DUI if you have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above. Of course, there are times when you may not even need to test that high to face DUI charges. Further, those driving on federal property are subject to “implied consent” laws, which means they can face penalties for refusing any kind of chemical test, like a Breathalyzer-type test.
This is just a brief outline of when you might face a federal DUI charge. There’s a lot more to know if you’re facing one. It’s crucial to have experienced legal guidance to protect your rights.
]]>Being on the sex offender registry can lead to many challenges. It comes with many restrictions and requirements.
A person who’s required to register as a sex offender can’t move to a state outside of the one where they were convicted and think they don’t have to register. Once you’re required to register, you must do this regardless of where you live. Failing to register as required can lead to criminal penalties.
When you register as a sex offender, you have to provide identifying information, employment information, DNA, finger and palm prints and residency information. Professional licenses and vehicle information are also required.
All individuals on the sex offender registry must check in as required. These are typically handled by the local police department. They’re a chance for authorities to verify your contact information, residence information and anything else they need to know.
People who are on the sex offender registry have to notify the community of their status. Megan’s Law was enacted in 1996 to make this a requirement under the Wetterling Act. In some cases, notification means that the information is published on a website. In other cases, mailed notifications or signs are also required.
Sex-related criminal charges can profoundly impact your future, especially if you’re subjected to having to register. Understanding all these points is crucial to determining the direction of your defense strategy.
]]>When it was first enacted, the goal of the amendment was to ensure that individuals in this country could help to protect the country. There wasn’t a huge organized army then, so this made sense. As time progressed, the amendment became synonymous with having weapons for self-defense.
The issue of Second Amendment rights has gone before the United States Supreme Court. These cases have generally strengthened the meaning and have made it more difficult for legislators to regulate guns.
One interesting point to know is that there are some limitations of this amendment. For example, it’s been upheld that people who have certain criminal convictions can’t own firearms. As laws evolve, some states, counties, and municipalities have enacted their own laws or resolutions to combat the government’s ever-increasing grasp on gun control.
A sanctuary city or county pertaining to gun laws means that resolutions in those areas declare they support the Second Amendment. They’re resistant to any laws that go against the Second Amendment, but this doesn’t automatically do away with the possibility of prosecution. There are several of these in Colorado and the exact resolution terms vary depending on the location.
Anyone who’s accused of a weapons charge should learn about the options they have for a defense strategy. Discussing the matter with someone who has experience with these cases is important because they can help you determine how to proceed.
]]>The legal limit for drivers in the United States, unless they are underage or commercial drivers, is a BAC of 0.08%. So, if you’re looking to avoid getting arrested for drunk driving, you likely want to know exactly how fast your BAC will drop when you stop drinking. This can give you some indication of when it’s safe to get back in the car.
It is important to consider this, because the reality is that your BAC is only going to drop by about 0.015 per hour. This is a very slow decline. That means it often takes much longer than people expect for their BAC to get back below the legal limit or all the way back to zero.
For instance, if a man weighed 180 pounds and consumed five drinks, estimates show that it would take 6 1/2 hours for his BAC to drop back to zero. If that man had 10 drinks, it would take him 11 hours.
There are different factors that influence how high BAC gets, including weight and gender, which is why they are noted above. But the average person is still going to metabolize alcohol at the same speed, and so their BAC is likely going to drop at the same rate, even if it rose faster while they were drinking.
As you can also see, these time frames are very long. If someone is out drinking and they decide to take an hour to have a glass of water or a cup of coffee, that can certainly make them more sober than they were before. But it also may not mean that they are down below the legal limit and it is safe for them to drive. They could still have hours before they reach that point, even though they think they have done enough to avoid a DUI.
If you are now facing charges for driving under the influence, it’s important to understand exactly what legal steps you can take. This can have a big impact on your future, it can be expensive and you need to know what to do moving forward.
]]>Law enforcement officials, including the Colorado State Patrol, are increasing their efforts to keep drunk drivers off the road. The first round of holiday DUI enforcement has already started and will continue through the end of November. Two more rounds are expected to occur closer to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The increased efforts mean that officers will be watching closely for signs that a driver is impaired. This includes actions like stopping suddenly without cause and swerving between lanes. Officers are likely to conduct traffic stops if they see anything that meets the standard of reasonable suspicion.
There will also be more sobriety checkpoints set up as a result of the increased efforts. These can involve officers stopping every vehicle that tries to come through the checkpoint, but some won’t stop every vehicle. Sobriety checkpoints are legal as long as there’s a formula in place for stopping motorists. That formula can be something, such as stopping every fifth car, but can’t rely on factors like race or gender to determine which vehicles to stop.
If you end up with a DUI charge this holiday season, make sure you review your options for a defense immediately. Taking the time to explore these early may help you to determine how to proceed. Remember that you have rights, so having someone on your side who’s familiar with the applicable laws in Colorado is important.
]]>Drivers must have their minds on driving safely. When they’re thinking of something else, it’s known as a cognitive distraction. Getting lost in thought for any reason can make it more difficult to operate a motor vehicle appropriately.
Some people taking care of holiday plans might not limit themselves to only thinking about them. They may try to write out lists or send messages about their plans while driving. These are also distractions because they can take the person’s eyes off the road, which is a visual distraction, and their hands off the steering wheel, which is a manual distraction.
Ultimately, holiday planning is best handled when you aren’t driving. Even for someone who’s good at multitasking, trying to do this while driving can be fatal. Nine lives are claimed daily in this country due to distracted driving, and each of those deaths could have been prevented if the drivers involved had focused solely on driving.
Anyone injured in a car wreck should ensure they receive medical attention for any injuries. They may opt to claim compensation for the damages related to the crash. This can include medical expenses and missed wages, among others. Laws in Colorado set time limits for filing personal injury claims. Working with someone familiar with these matters can help ensure you get things handled properly.
]]>While people may walk away from a collision unharmed, they may be suffering from hidden injuries. Despite what many people want to think, their body is highly susceptible to injuries, especially in a vehicle accident.
There are many kinds of hidden injuries and signs that indicate someone is suffering from a medical condition. You may need to watch for symptoms that you’re suffering from hidden injuries after a car collision, like these:
Suffering from a blow to the head, like from an airbag or the back of a car seat, could cause major medical injuries. Some common injuries include concussions and whiplash but may even include fatal injuries like internal bleeding. You may notice signs that you’re experiencing traumatic brain injuries if you suddenly feel lightheaded, suffer from constant headaches or your memory is failing you.
After a car accident, you’ll likely feel sore and stiff and find you’re bruised in several places. However, if you’re struggling to sit or stand and feel a sharp pain in your back, then you may be experiencing spinal injuries.
A spinal fracture could result in paraplegia, where victims suffer from a loss of muscle control and feeling – and symptoms aren’t always immediate. Or, victims may be suffering from extreme pain because of a herniated disk.
One bad accident could change your entire life, causing you to need serious medical treatment and lifelong surgeries without knowing your legal options.
]]>Understanding the laws surrounding knives can help you to ensure you’re complying with applicable laws. Remember, violations of Colorado’s knife laws can lead to felony or misdemeanor criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.
Colorado is an open-carry state for knives. If you’re going to conceal a knife, it needs to have a blade of less than 3.5 inches in length. Even if the blade of a knife is less than 3.5 inches, you still can’t carry the knife on school property because you’ll have a felony charge if you’re caught.
Ballistic knives are illegal to have throughout Colorado, but switchblades are legal in most areas. Certain cities have banned switchblades so be sure you find out this information if you’re planning on having a switchblade on your person.
There are exceptions for knives that are for hunting and fishing. Statute 18-12-101 C.R.S. has specific exceptions in the definition of a knife for hunting or fishing knives, as well as those that are carried for sports use.
If you’re facing criminal charges for carrying a knife, be sure to explore your defense options. Taking the time to think about each one and how it can impact your future is crucial. Working with someone who has knowledge of these situations can help you.
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