Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on August 21, 2026
Media reports at the time described a widely covered DUI arrest involving Justin Bieber, who was reported to have been charged with drunk driving, resisting arrest, and driving with an expired license after police allegedly observed him driving during a street race in a Miami neighborhood. This case, now years old, remains a useful example of how breath testing, traffic stop procedure, and BAC limits for younger drivers work together in a DUI case, and those principles apply just as directly to a DUI stop in Denver today.
Shazam Kianpour & Associates represents drivers across Denver who are facing DUI charges and want to understand how the evidence in their case will actually be evaluated. Looking at how a case like this was reported publicly helps illustrate the legal principles at play, without drawing any conclusion about how that particular case was ultimately resolved.
What the Reports Described
According to coverage from the time, two breathalyzer readings in the case were reported at .011 and .014, and a blood sample was also reportedly taken. Reports also indicated that the arresting officers said they initially stopped the vehicle for speeding, though no speeding ticket was issued, and that the vehicle’s rental company disputed the speed involved based on GPS data. This summary reflects only what was publicly reported and is not a characterization of how the underlying case was resolved.
Colorado’s BAC Limits for Drivers Under 21
Colorado, like many states, sets a lower blood alcohol concentration threshold for drivers under the age of 21 than the standard legal limit that applies to older drivers. This is often referred to as a “zero tolerance” or reduced-threshold standard, and it means that a BAC reading which would not support a charge for an adult driver can still result in a citation or DUI-related charge for a younger driver. Understanding how Colorado treats alcohol and drivers under 21 is an important starting point in any case involving a younger driver.
Why Breath and Blood Test Results Are Not Always Conclusive
A breath test provides an estimate of blood alcohol concentration based on a chemical reaction, and its accuracy depends on proper calibration, maintenance, and administration. A blood test is generally considered more precise, but it also depends on correct handling, storage, and chain of custody. In many DUI cases, breath and blood test results can be challenged when these procedures were not followed correctly, and testing accuracy is one of the first things a defense attorney reviews.
When Is a Traffic Stop Legally Justified?
Police officers generally need reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or criminal activity to initiate a stop. If an officer states that a stop was based on speeding but no speeding citation is ultimately issued, and independent evidence contradicts the officer’s stated basis for the stop, that discrepancy can become a central issue in the case. When a stop is found to have lacked a lawful basis, evidence gathered as a result of that stop can potentially be suppressed, which can significantly affect how the rest of the case proceeds.
What a First DUI Involves in Colorado
Whether a driver is 19 or 49, Colorado’s DUI laws apply the same underlying framework, though the added considerations for underage drivers and any related charges can change how a case is prosecuted. Reviewing what a first-offense DUI in Denver involves is a useful starting point for understanding the range of potential consequences and defenses available in a typical case.
How a DUI Defense Attorney Evaluates a Case Like This
A defense attorney examines several threads in a case like the one reported here: whether the initial stop was lawful, whether field sobriety and breath testing followed proper protocol, whether the BAC results are consistent with the applicable legal threshold for the driver’s age, and whether any related charges, such as resisting arrest, are independently supported by the evidence. Each of these issues can be raised at arraignment or in pretrial motions, and the outcome of any one of them can reshape the entire case.
Shazam Kianpour has represented Denver-area drivers in DUI cases for more than two decades, with direct experience challenging breath and blood test evidence and the legal basis for traffic stops. If you are facing a DUI charge, contact our office to discuss the specific facts of your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Evidence and Testing in Colorado
What is Colorado’s BAC limit for drivers under 21?
Colorado applies a lower blood alcohol threshold to drivers under 21 than the standard limit for older drivers, meaning a reading that would not support a charge for an adult can still lead to a citation for a younger driver.
Can a low breathalyzer reading still result in a DUI charge?
Yes, particularly for drivers under 21, where the applicable threshold is significantly lower than the standard adult limit, or where other evidence of impairment is present beyond the breath test result.
Can a DUI case be challenged if the traffic stop was not justified?
Yes. If the stop lacked reasonable suspicion or the stated reason for the stop is contradicted by other evidence, an attorney can move to suppress evidence gathered as a result of that stop.
Are blood tests more reliable than breath tests in a DUI case?
Blood tests are generally considered more precise, but their accuracy still depends on correct collection, storage, and chain of custody procedures, all of which can be reviewed by a defense attorney.
Does resisting arrest get charged separately from DUI?
Yes, resisting arrest is typically charged as a separate offense from DUI, and the evidence supporting each charge is evaluated independently.
About the Attorney
Denver Criminal Defense Attorney
Shazam Kianpour has represented clients in more than 10,000 criminal and traffic cases across the Denver area. He is a graduate of California Western School of Law, has been licensed in Colorado since 2004, and holds a Lead Counsel Verification in criminal law covering state felony, misdemeanor, and drunk driving defense.
Source referenced above: Denver Post, “Feb. 14 arraignment date for Bieber DUI arrest,” Jan. 28, 2014.
Written by
Shazam KianpourDenver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.