The police may ask drivers who have been pulled over under the suspicion of drunk driving to take a "breath" test. A breath test is a small portable device that the police can use to measure the blood alcohol content (BAC) of drivers. If the BAC levels are above the...
It is a common assumption that drivers get pulled over and subsequently charged with a DUI, DWAI or DUID when the officer sees them driving erratically or causing an accident. However, there are a variety of other circumstances where the person may face charges even...
It is standard operating procedure to have a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol to blow into a Breathalyzer operated by the officer. Still, it makes one wonder how one's breath measures their blood alcohol level, particularly if they have...
Police stops are nerve-wracking in the best of times but become more stressful when the officer starts asking questions about the consumption of alcohol. Many drivers were raised to answer questions from an authority figure, so an officer's direct question may get a...
The U.S. criminal law system works in degrees, going from least severe charges to the most severe charges. In many states, there will be a charge like second-degree assault, but Colorado's sliding system of justice uses Class 1 through 6 (6 being the most severe) for...
The holiday season is once again in full swing. It means shopping and Christmas decorations, but it also involves a full schedule of social gatherings with family, friends and coworkers. For many, 2022 may be the first time since 2019 that there is that same old...
The Labor Day weekend is fast approaching. Many see it as the unofficial end of summer, with cooler temps on the horizon. The three-day holiday weekend also is the final big push for DUI enforcement by law enforcement across the country. Here in Colorado, Colorado...
The penalties surrounding a DUI will vary, depending on the circumstances. Repeat offenders will see increasingly severe charges. Harm to others or their property while driving intoxicated could be a felony charge. A mitigating issue for those with a previous felony...
Field sobriety tests (FST) are groups of three tests employed by law enforcement to determine if the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If the driver fails one of the three tests, the officer then asks the driver to take a breathalyzer or a chemical...
People in the United States are innocent until proven guilty, but that doesn’t change the fact that it is stressful getting pulled over by an officer. The Fourth Amendment is an important protection, stating that law enforcement must have an articulable suspicion for...
