A fourth DUI in Colorado transforms your situation from manageable to catastrophic in ways most people fail to grasp until it’s too late. This felony conviction triggers mandatory sentencing with inflexible jail time, crippling financial penalties, and a license-suspension process so complex it functions like a second criminal case against you.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we’ve spent over 22 years defending clients facing DUI charges throughout Colorado and understand exactly what you’re up against. Our team, led by Shazam Kianpour, who graduated at the top of his class in Criminal Law, has successfully resolved thousands of traffic and criminal cases through aggressive negotiation and trial skills necessary to fight felony DUI charges.
Colorado Classifies Your Fourth DUI as a Felony
The moment you receive your fourth DUI, Colorado law automatically elevates the charge to a Class 4 felony. This isn’t a misdemeanor with negotiable penalties. Courts must impose mandatory minimums, including at least 90 days in jail. However, sentences can extend up to six years in prison, depending on factors like your blood alcohol content or whether anyone was injured.
Financial consequences multiply beyond basic fines. You’ll face court costs, probation supervision fees, mandatory alcohol treatment programs, and possible restitution. Without skilled legal representation negotiating on your behalf, these costs can easily double or triple what less aggressive attorneys secure for their clients.
Mandatory Sentencing Eliminates Many Options
Colorado’s felony DUI laws mandate specific penalties courts cannot waive. The 90-day jail minimum can sometimes convert to in-home detention or work release, but only when your attorney builds a compelling case for why alternative sentencing serves justice better. Probation typically lasts two to four years and requires strict compliance with conditions, including random drug testing, regular meetings with the probation officer, and full payment of all fees and fines.
Probation violations can trigger additional penalties or complete revocation, landing you back in jail to serve the original sentence. Your lawyer needs to understand both the requirements and how to position you for the most favorable probation terms possible.
You Face Two Separate Legal Proceedings
Most people don’t realize a fourth DUI triggers parallel proceedings. The district attorney prosecutes your criminal case, determining jail time, fines, and probation. Simultaneously, the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles launches administrative proceedings to suspend your license. These operate independently with different rules, procedures, and deadlines.
Missing a deadline in either proceeding can result in automatic license suspension or loss of important legal rights. The DMV hearing often happens before your criminal case concludes, requiring immediate action to protect your driving privileges.
License Suspension Creates Immediate Hardships
The DMV process involves mandatory suspension periods lasting years. Obtaining a provisional license requires proving you need to drive for work, medical appointments, or treatment programs. The application process requires specific documentation, fees, and, in some cases, a hearing before a DMV official. Mistakes in the application frequently result in denial.
Even with a provisional license, restrictions severely limit when and where you can drive. Violating those restrictions triggers additional criminal charges and extends your suspension period. Understanding these rules and navigating the administrative maze requires someone familiar with the system.
Skilled Legal Representation Changes Outcomes
The difference between outcomes with experienced counsel versus without is substantial. Attorneys with deep knowledge of Colorado DUI law and established relationships within the criminal justice system secure better plea agreements, argue successfully for alternative sentencing, and protect your rights throughout both proceedings. For example, your lawyer might negotiate in-home detention instead of jail, reduce your sentence length, or structure payment plans for fines you can actually afford.
These differences directly impact your life. They determine whether you keep your job, maintain family relationships, and avoid the long-term consequences of extended incarceration. Traffic violations and DUI cases require attorneys who understand both the technical legal requirements and how to present your case persuasively.
Get Help from Shazam Kianpour & Associates
A fourth DUI means confronting serious felony charges with mandatory consequences affecting your freedom, finances, and future. The complexity of managing both criminal prosecution and DMV proceedings simultaneously makes experienced legal guidance essential. Our National Trial Lawyers and Superlawyers recognition reflects our commitment to fighting for clients facing the toughest charges.
Contact Shazam Kianpour & Associates today to discuss your case. Our team has the knowledge and determination to pursue the best possible outcome.