If you’re facing charges for an aggravated DUI in Denver, Colorado, you may be wondering what exactly that means.
An enhanced DUI is a more serious offense than a regular DUI, and it comes with enhanced penalties. Below, we explain the criteria for this offense and the penalties you may be facing if convicted. We’ll also give some tips on how to fight an enhanced DUI charge. If y
What Is An Enhanced DUI?
An enhanced DUI is a DUI with aggravating factors. Because the crime is considered more serious and has the potential to cause more catastrophic consequences, the state of Colorado typically punishes these incidents more harshly than drunk driving without aggravating factors. In Colorado, a driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs charge with at least three or more prior convictions is grounds for a felony charge which carries likely sentencing to the department of corrections. Charges for a second or more offense carry enhanced penalties which include mandatory minimum jail time and a minimum of two years of probation with a year of suspended jail.
Criteria For An Aggravated DUI
In order to be charged with an enhanced DUI, there must be certain factors that were present during the commission of the crime, such as:
- Driving with a BAC greater than .20%
- Having a prior DUI conviction within a certain time frame
- Driving with a child or other minor in the vehicle who under the age of 16
- Causing an accident that resulted in serious bodily injury or death.
The Penalties for Enhanced Drunk Driving
If you are caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Colorado and the police determine aggravating factors are present, you could face the following penalties:
- A mandatory minimum 10-day jail sentence
- License suspension
- Child neglect or abuse charges
- Reckless driving charges
- Vehicular assault charges
- Up to $750,000 in fines
How to Fight An Enhanced DUI
If you are facing enhanced DUI charges, it’s important to understand what you’re being accused of and the potential consequences you face if convicted. You should also know that there are many ways to fight the charges and an experienced DUI attorney can help you navigate the criminal justice system, challenge the evidence against you, and protect your rights. Each driving under the influence
How a DUI Lawyer Can Help You
A criminal defense attorney will also review all of the evidence against you to look for any weaknesses that can be exploited at trial. For example, if there are discrepancies in eyewitness testimony or if there is video footage that contradicts what prosecution witnesses say happened, a lawyer will use this evidence to create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors about your guilt.
Contact Denver criminal defense attorney Richard B. Huttner today for more information or to book a consultation by dialing 303-981-6366.