In Weld County and the rest of Colorado, UNC students can be charged with a criminal offense called Driving Under the Influence or DUI, if they operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.. This is not just advice for college students. The wrestling coach at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) recently found himself facing a DUI charge. It is alleged that he was stopped by an officer, who smelled alcohol on his breath. When he refused to take a sobriety test, he was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence. The attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office see this charge after refusal of sobriety tests by UNC students and others around Weld County. Below, learn from our criminal defense attorneys as they discuss DUI charges, Refusal of a DUI test and why it is important to hire a criminal defense attorney if you are charged with Driving Under the Influence.
Legal Definition of Driving Under the Influence for University of Northern Colorado Students, C.R.S. 42-4-1301, in Greeley, Colorado
The definition of Driving Under the Influence, C.R.S. 42-4-1301, in Greeley is.
What Happens if a University of Northern Colorado Student Refuses a DUI Breathalyzer or Blood Test?
In Northern Colorado, if a University of Northern Colorado Student is driving on any public road, then they are giving their “express consent” to take a sobriety test if they are stopped for a DUI, DWAI, or UDD. Refusing one of these tests, will result in the automatic loss of your driving privilege and Colorado driver’s license. In refusing a breathalyzer or blood test, you will face more harsh penalties than you would have by taking the test. The penalties you could face are the suspension of your driver’s license for a year, being designated as a Persistent Drunk Driver, alcohol and drug education and treatment programs, an ignition interlock device on your vehicle for at least one year after you get your license back and you will be required to carry SR-22 insurance. These penalties can happen with a refusal even if this is your first DUI offense.
What is the Difference Between DUI, DWAI, and DUI Per Se in Weld County?
There are many terms to know when discussing Driving Under the Influence in Weld County. DUI in general means that you are operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. A DUI per se means that the defendant’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. DWAI or Driving While Ability Impaired is when a defendant’s BAC is at least 0.05%, but less than 0.08%.
Sentence and Penalties for Driving Under the Influence in Windsor, Ault, and Greeley, Colorado
In Windsor, Ault, Greeley, and the rest of Colorado, the sentence for a first time DUI offense is a misdemeanor with penalties of 5 days – 1 year in the Weld County Jail, $600 – $1,000 in fines, 48 – 96 hours community service, 9-month license suspension, 12 DMV points, and alcohol education classes. The most severe consequence of a 4th or subsequent DUI charge is a felony and can result in penalties of 2 – 6 years prison in a Colorado State Prison, $2,000 – $500,000 in fines, 3 years of parole, community service, alcohol education classes and therapy.