Brought to you by Colorado DUI Drunk Driving Defense

Olympia DUI Lawyers

• Lane Law Firm:

  If youÕre found guilty of DUI

  Your expense and the long-term consequences can be appalling. Although a DUI is only a gross misdemeanor, it has more severe and complicated penalties than many felony charges.

  Other penalties if you have NO prior DUI offense, include:

  • • 90-day license suspension
  • • $200 hearing fee
  • • Jail time from 1 day to 1 year
  • • A fine ranging from $823 to $5,000
  • • Probationary license for 5 years
  • • Probation monitoring (with fees) for up to 5 years
  • • Alcohol evaluation and treatment for up to 2 years

  These are the minimum penalties. The judge may decide on something more harsh, and if you have one or more prior offenses, minimum penalties are more severe.

  The effects on your employment of a DUI arrest

  • • For 90 days youÕll be unable to drive to work
  • • After 30 days you can apply for a temporary restricted license if you need to drive as part of your work. Your employer will have to certify that this is the case.
  • • If you drive a company car, youÕll have to file Òproof of financial responsibilityÓ (SR 22 insurance) for 3 years.
  • • Depending on the specifics of your case, a car you drive may have to be fitted with an ignition interlock device. (This is a device attached to your vehicleÕs ignition, which registers any alcohol on your breath. You have to blow into it periodically. The vehicle wonÕt start if any alcohol is registered, or if youÕre in motion, the engine will shut off.)
  • • Car rental companies will seldom rent to a person with a hole punched in their license. Many wonÕt honor a temporary restricted license.
  • • If you have a more high-profile career (e.g., corporate officers, employee with a security clearance, or a public figure), you could receive bad press which would harm your career.

  Whichever way you look at it, the best recourse if you have a DUI arrest will be experienced legal representation.

• Sharon Chirichillo: There are two parts to a defendant's right to be present at trial. The first part is the defendant's physical presence at any criminal proceedings that are brought against the defendant. The second part is the defendant's understanding of the proceedings. This includes the right to understand the language of the court in which the defendant is being tried. The defendant therefore has a right to be provided with a qualified interpreter when the defendant does not speak or understand English or when the defendant is deaf. When a defendant does not speak or understand English, a qualified interpreter must be appointed to translate the proceedings. The interpreter's translation extends to all portions of the proceedings. The appointment of the interpreter does not depend upon the defendant's ability to pay for the interpreter. However, the defendant is not entitled to an interpreter when he or she is consulting with his or her attorney. The appointment only applies to court proceedings. In order to be entitled to the appointment of an interpreter, a defendant must show that he or she cannot speak or understand English. If the defendant testifies in English, it is unlikely that an interpreter will be appointed for the defendant. The fact that the defendant is more fluent in another language does not necessarily mean that the defendant is entitled to an interpreter. An interpreter is treated in a manner that is similar to an expert witness. Although a trial court does not have a duty to question the interpreter as to his or her qualifications and skills, a defendant may object to a particular interpreter on the basis of his or her qualifications and skills. Any error that is made by the interpreter does not constitute a basis for a reversal of a conviction unless the defendant requested the removal of the interpreter and the interpreter's errors were not corrected. A defendant who is deaf is also entitled to understand any criminal proceedings that are brought against him or her. The defendant who is deaf is entitled to the appointment of an interpreter. A person is considered to be deaf when he or she has a hearing impairment that inhibits the person's comprehension of the proceedings or his or her communication with others. A speech impediment is not necessarily considered to be a hearing impairment.
• Ditlevson Rodgers Dixon: Driving Under the Influence is a serious charge with serious consequences. Any conviction for DUI carries mandatory jail time, probation, and suspension of driving privileges. The penalties are enhanced if an individual has been previously convicted of an alcohol related offense. In addition,the Department of Licensing has the ability to suspend an individual's license if he or sheeither (1) refuses the breath test, or (2) provides a sample in excess of .08, regardlessofthe outcome of the criminal proceeding.
• Don Phelps: - If convicted on a first time DUI, your license will be suspended for an additional 90 days if your BAC level is below .15. If over, then a one year revocation. - You will spend a minimum of one day in jail or do 15 days home monitoring.