Colorado First Offense DUI Lawyer

Getting arrested for a first DUI in Colorado is frightening. Most people charged with a first offense have never been in trouble with the law before — and they’re shocked by how serious the penalties can be.

Even a first conviction can mean jail, a suspended license, costly fines, and mandatory alcohol classes. It’s important to take this charge seriously and get experienced legal help immediately.

Penalties for a First DUI in Colorado

If convicted, a first DUI can bring:

• Jail: by law, the court must impose a sentence of 5 days up to 1 year. In most first offense cases, this time can be suspended if certain conditions are met.
  • If your BAC was .20 or higher, the law requires a minimum of 10 days up to 1 year in jail. However, this number can sometimes be challenged — for example, with a lower blood retest result, or if there were problems with how the sample was drawn, stored, or tested. If jail cannot be avoided, alternative sentencing such as in-home detention or work release may be possible.
• Fines: up to $1,000, plus court costs and surcharges
• License revocation: 9 months (with possible early reinstatement and ignition interlock)
• Alcohol education and treatment: mandatory classes and therapy
• Community service: up to 96 hours

A DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) conviction is slightly less severe, but still carries consequences, including license points, fines, and probation.

Collateral Consequences of a DUI Conviction

Beyond the court penalties, a DUI conviction can affect:

• Employment opportunities
• Auto insurance rates (huge increases are common)
• Professional licenses
• Travel to Canada and other countries
• Immigration status (a DUI can create serious problems for non-citizens, including visa, residency, and naturalization issues)

How I Defend First Offense DUI Cases

Even in a first DUI, the prosecution must prove its case. Possible defenses may include:

• Challenging the legality of the stop or arrest
• Attacking the accuracy of breath or blood test results
• Questioning field sobriety tests and officer observations
• Negotiating for reduced charges or alternative sentencing

Why Hire Me?

I’ve defended DUI cases in Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Weld, and Denver for more than 20 years. Many of my clients are good people who made a mistake — but they still deserve the strongest defense possible.

When you hire me, you deal directly with me, not junior associates or paralegals.

Quick FAQ – First DUI in Colorado

Will I have to go to jail?

It depends. Colorado law requires a minimum sentence, but for most first-time DUI offenders, judges often suspend that time when the law allows. We work extremely hard to keep our clients out of jail and to argue for suspended sentences whenever possible.

If your BAC was .20 or higher, the law requires at least 10 days. That said, there are ways to fight it — such as retesting the blood or challenging how the sample was handled. And if jail time cannot be avoided, we argue for alternatives like in-home detention or work release instead of straight jail.

Other aggravating factors — such as accidents, children in the car, injuries, or firearms in the vehicle — can also increase the risk of jail. We’ve seen it all and know how to defend these cases.

Will I lose my license?

It depends. In Colorado, there are two ways you can lose your license after a DUI arrest:

1. Through the Express Consent DMV process (if your BAC was .08 or higher or you refused testing).
2. Through a DUI conviction in court.

To keep your license, you essentially have to win on both fronts — the DMV hearing and the criminal case. That’s why it’s so important to have an attorney who understands both sides of the process.

Do I really need a lawyer for my first DUI?

Yes. Many people assume that “everyone gets the same deal” on a first DUI, but that’s not true. Every case is different, and the consequences can be far-reaching. A DUI lawyer can:

• Spot legal and procedural issues in your case that you would not recognize on your own
• Challenge the stop, the arrest, or the testing methods
• Fight to save your driver’s license at the DMV hearing
• Negotiate for reduced charges (such as DWAI instead of DUI)
• Argue for alternative sentencing and keep you out of jail

Even a first DUI can affect your job, your license, your insurance, and your future. Having an experienced attorney can make the difference between a conviction that follows you forever and a result that minimizes the damage.

Can I get probation instead of jail?

Yes. Probation is common for first-time offenders, usually along with alcohol classes, community service, and monitoring. Avoiding active jail time is often possible with the right defense.

How is DWAI different from DUI?

DWAI requires proof you were “impaired,” not “intoxicated.” The penalties are lower than DUI but still serious and can count as a prior for future DUIs.

Call Me Today

If you’ve been arrested for a first DUI in Colorado, don’t wait. Call me at 303-355-5148 for a free consultation.

You’ll speak directly with me, Monte Robbins.