Tuesday, December 3, 2024
The Latest DUI News and Information From DUI Defense Attorneys Across the Country

Felony DUI Law coming to Colorado

Introduced in the state’s House of Representatives on February 1 and amended to appropriations with bipartisan support on February 21, House Bill 13-1214 could mean big changes in Colorado DUI law are on the way. Under the existing laws, a DUI is considered a misdemeanor unless it results in injuries or fatalities. This differs sharply from the policies of most other states where repeat offenders can be given felony convictions for incidents that don’t result in any harm.

However, the bill’s sponsor Rep. Mark Waller hopes that this bill will change this reality. If passed, HB 1214 would impose felony convictions on state residents who were convicted of three DUI or DWAI convictions in a seven year period. The law would also make a fourth lifetime conviction an automatic felony.

“It is understandable that a person in their 20s may have a lapse in judgment and later in life may mess up again, but it needs to be known that this is a serious issue and that repeat offenses will not be tolerated,” Waller said in a statement, according to KKTV, a southern Colorado TV news source. “People’s lives are changed every day by the decision to drive drunk and offenders must be held accountable for their actions, regardless of whether someone is hurt or not.”

KKTV also spoke to local legal professionals regarding the proposed law, who indicated it could help the state better track and discourage repeat DUI offenders. Further, the report indicated that state residents may enthusiastically support the bill.

Annalicia Miller, a Colorado woman interviewed by the source, voiced her support by saying, “if you haven’t learned your lesson the first time, you’re endangering people’s lives.”

In the event that the current DUI and DWAI laws change however, one important aspect of these cases won’t. Colorado residents who find themselves charged with a DUI or DWAI offense should know they can always turn to DUI lawyers for support and guidance on their legal concerns.

Read more:

Tagged with

Picture of Rhidian Orr

Rhidian Orr

The Orr Law Firm, L.L.C. is Colorado’s premier DUI defense law firm. The Orr Law Firm focuses exclusively on DUI and criminal traffic defense. Denver DUI attorney Rhidian Orr, senior partner and owner of The Orr Law Firm, believes that DUI defense is so complex that a firm must focus exclusively on this area of law in order to provide clients with the expertise and knowledgeable defense they deserve. Attorneys at The Orr Law Firm go through extensive training and certifications to ensure they are up-to-date on all cutting edge defense strategies and evidentiary principles as they relate to DUI defense. Attorneys at The Orr Law Firm are active members of the National College for DUI Defense, are trained in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Gas Chromatography and are also trained in the operation of the Intoxilyzer 5000EN. DUI defense is our passion and we promise to provide all clients with exceptional customer service and the best possible legal defense as it relates to each individual case. Almost half of all of our clients are either return clients or referrals. This speaks volumes to the success of our firm and the satisfaction of our clients. The majority of criminal defense attorneys claim to "handle" DUI cases, but you need a Colorado DUI defense attorney, not just a general criminal defense attorney. Don’t let a DUI ruin your life. We will aggressively fight for your rights while respecting your privacy and time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *