20+ Years of DUI and Criminal Defense
Built on Trust, Focused on Results
Built on Trust, Focused on Results
Douglas County DUI Lawyer — Castle Rock, Colorado
Douglas County takes DUI cases seriously. So do I.
Arrested for DUI in Douglas County?
All DUI cases in Douglas County are heard at the Douglas County Justice Center:
4000 Justice Way
Castle Rock, CO 80109
This is where your first court appearance (arraignment) will occur and where all hearings — including pretrial conferences, motions, and trial — take place.
Douglas County is now part of the 23rd Judicial District — a newly created district that has openly adopted a tough-on-crime philosophy.
Multiple Colorado news outlets have covered the shift:
“We’re not goofing around anymore.” — Denver7 News (2025)
“Tough on crime approach…” — Fox News (2025)
“Incoming DA vows to be tough on criminals.” — CBS News Colorado (2025)
When the DA publicly tells the media that defendants should expect aggressive prosecution,
walking into this courthouse unprepared is a mistake.
✅ What Makes Douglas County Different?
Why Douglas County DUI Cases Are Different
This isn’t Denver.
This isn’t Arapahoe.
Douglas County is known for:
- Proactive DUI enforcement teams
- Prosecutors who take a hard-line approach to resolution
How I Defend DUI Cases in Douglas County
| Key Issue | Typical Lawyer | My Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for the stop | Accepts the police narrative as written in the report | Reviews body-cam, dash-cam, and challenges the legal basis for the stop |
| Roadside tests (SFSTs) | Accepts officer scoring at face value | Analyzes NHTSA protocol, footwear, fatigue, medical limitations, and video |
| Breath / Blood test | Assumes the machine and lab work are accurate | Demands calibration logs, technician certificates, chain of custody, and test records |
| Discovery (Crim. P. 16) | Waits for the prosecutor to send whatever they send | Crim. P. 16 is self-executing. I ensure the prosecution complies with mandatory disclosure (reports, videos, calibration/test records). If anything is missing, I request it immediately and enforce compliance under the rule. |
| DMV Hearing Evidence | Does not subpoena the officer or request additional documents | Subpoenas the officer and requests DMV-specific evidence (chemical test records, chain of custody, procedural compliance) |
You don’t get a cookie-cutter DUI defense here.
You get a strategy designed around your case.
🚨 DMV EXPRESS CONSENT HEARING
7-Day Deadline
After a DUI arrest, you have seven calendar days to request a DMV Express Consent Hearing.
If you don’t request it within seven days →
your license will be automatically revoked.
A DMV hearing is not criminal court:
- It’s administrative
- Evidence rules are relaxed
- Officers often appear by phone
- The hearing officer is not a judge
Treat this hearing as critical — your driving privilege is on the line.
At the DMV hearing, I:
- File the hearing request immediately
- Subpoena the officer to testify (most people don’t know this is possible)
- Challenge the stop, arrest, and chemical testing procedures
DMV Appeals: What You Need to Know
A DMV revocation can be appealed to district court, but:
- It is not a second hearing
- The court does not re-weigh testimony
- The court reviews whether the hearing officer followed the law
DMV Wins Can Help the Criminal Case
Winning at DMV doesn’t automatically win the criminal case,
but it locks in the officer’s testimony under oath.
That transcript can become valuable leverage.
Penalties in Douglas County
| Charge | Possible Outcomes |
|---|---|
| DUI — First Offense | Fines, alcohol classes, possible jail, license revocation, ignition interlock |
| DUI — Second / Third Offense | Mandatory jail, longer revocation, stricter probation |
| Felony DUI (4th or more) | Possible DOC prison, multi-year probation, lifelong felony record |
Why People Hire Me
- You work directly with me — not an associate, not a case manager.
- I take a handcrafted defense approach — not a high-volume DUI mill.
- You get clear strategy, communication, and ownership of your outcome.
Handcrafted Defense for Real People Facing Real Consequences.
Serving DUI clients throughout Douglas County
- Castle Rock
- Parker
- Castle Pines
- Lone Tree
- Highlands Ranch
People arrested for DUI in Douglas County tend to ask the same questions. Here are clear, direct answers based on Colorado law and local courtroom procedure.
Q: What happens at my first court date in Douglas County?
A: Your first appearance (arraignment) takes place at the Douglas County Justice Center. The judge will advise you of the charge, the possible penalties, your rights, and whether you plan to hire an attorney. Future court dates are typically set at this hearing, and early legal representation helps ensure critical deadlines — including DMV deadlines — are not missed.
Q: Do I need to request the DMV hearing, or is it automatic?
A: It is not automatic. In Colorado, you must request the Express Consent DMV hearing within 7 days of being served the Affidavit and Notice of Revocation. If you miss the deadline, your license will be revoked — even before your first court date. Early action is critical to preserve your right to a hearing.
Q: Is Douglas County known for being strict on DUIs?
A: Yes. Douglas County is part of the new 23rd Judicial District, and prosecutors have publicly adopted a tough-on-crime approach. Multiple Colorado news outlets have reported increased prosecution intensity. Douglas County does not offer diversion or deferred judgments in DUI or DWAI cases, and reductions are only considered when legal or evidentiary issues justify it.
Q: Will I lose my license if this is my first DUI?
A: Not always. License consequences depend on the blood or breath result, whether a refusal occurred, and whether the DMV hearing is requested within the 7-day deadline. Even on a first offense, you can face revocation if deadlines are missed — but you may qualify for early reinstatement with ignition interlock.
Q: Can a Douglas County DUI be reduced or dismissed?
A: Yes, depending on the facts. Reductions often hinge on body-cam footage, legality of the stop, administration of field sobriety tests, and issues with the blood or breath evidence. Early discovery and strategic defense increase the likelihood of a reduction or favorable outcome.
Q: Can I get a DUI in Colorado for sleeping in my car?
A: Yes. DUI in Colorado doesn’t require driving. The issue is “actual physical control.” If the keys are accessible (in the ignition, cupholder, or your pocket), an officer may assume you intended to drive. Sleeping in the driver’s seat with the keys nearby is enough for an arrest. Key location, seat position, and body-cam video become critical defense evidence.
Q: What is DWAI in Colorado, and how is it different from DUI?
A: DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) applies when alcohol or drugs affect someone “to the slightest degree.” Colorado law creates BAC presumptions:
0.05 or below → Presumed not impaired
0.051 to 0.079 → Possible DWAI
0.08 or higher → DUI per se
DWAI carries lighter penalties than DUI, but it is still a criminal conviction. Douglas County aggressively prosecutes DWAI cases, so defense strategies often focus on field sobriety testing, video evidence, and officer decision-making.
📞 Call Now — Speak Directly With Monte
303-355-5148
No intake staff.
No voicemail maze.
You get me — on the phone, in court, and in the fight.
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