Fort Collins Felony DUI Attorney
Request Free ConsultationIf you find yourself being accused of or charged with felony DUI, this means law enforcement has reason to believe you were caught driving under the influence for a fourth time, the driver is responsible for a serious bodily injury or death to another person, or that drinking and driving caused vehicular assault. Felony DUI is a class 4 felony and is punishable by up to 6 years in prison.
If you are charged with felony DUI, contact Martin & Reed, LLC, as soon as possible by calling (970) 573-5187 or completing our contact form. An experienced Fort Collins felony DUI lawyer from our law firm is standing by review the facts of your case and help build a defense strategy for you.
Can You Get A Felony DUI Charge Because of Marijuana or Other Drugs in Fort Collins?
In Colorado, marijuana is legal to possess and to consume in limited amounts. However, much like alcohol, it is against the law to drive under the influence of marijuana or any other drug.
Driving while under the influence of drugs has been on the rise in the past few decades. Marijuana and opioids cause a different reaction in drivers than alcohol does and it can be difficult for law enforcement to detect whether a driver is under the influence of drugs. Driving while under the influence of drugs can result in deadly accidents, but many states, including Colorado, have enacted laws to combat this issue.
Can You Get Charged With DUI From Prescription Medication in Fort Collins?
There are a lot of prescription drugs that impair a person’s ability to drive. This includes medications that seem innocent enough. Colorado lawmakers have passed a law which makes it illegal for anyone to drive if your ability to drive is impaired by drugs, even if the drugs are legal. So, even if a drug someone took is legal, if their driving was impaired, then it is possible that under certain circumstances that they may be charged with felony DUI. This may seem extreme, but it also highlights why an experienced Fort Collins criminal defense attorney is so necessary.
What Is a Felony DUI in Fort Collins?
Felony DUI comes with the far more crucial need for you to be represented by an experienced attorney. You may be facing a potential prison sentence for a felony DUI because of the penalties for a felony DUI charge. Factors to determine a felony DUI are:
- Whether this your second, third or fourth offense
- If you blood alcohol level is greater than 0.16
- Did the DUI cause bodily injury to another person or driver
- Was there a child in the vehicle
- Did the driver have a suspended license at the time of the occurrence
If you are being investigated or are charged with felony DUI, contact Martin & Reed, LLC, for your free consultation with a skilled Fort Collins felony DUI attorney.
Explaining Penalties for Felony DUI in Fort Collins
Felony DUI in Fort Collins has a few important factors that must be considered in order for you to be prosecuted. Did the vehicle used during the DUI cause injury or harm to another person or vehicle? How much did you have to drink before operating the motor vehicle? Is this your first DUI offense? Was a child present during the operation of the vehicle during the DUI? Was your license already suspended previously to the occurrence?
Colorado is harsher on repeat DUI offenses. Each DUI after your third will be charged as felony DUI. This can be especially problematic if, for example, you received three offenses in your 20s, and then 30 years later receive a fourth DUI charge in your 50s. Regardless of how many years have passed since your third DUI charge, your fourth offense will still be filed as felony DUI. The felony DUI charge comes with a potential prison sentence of two to six years and a fine ranging from $2,000 to $500,000.
It is crucial for you to have an experienced felony DUI defense attorney in Fort Collins helping you establish your case and defending your rights. Call Martin & Reed, LLC, for your free consultation now with one of our Fort Collins felony DUI lawyers.
Do you Lose Your License for Your First DUI in Fort Collins?
Yes, your license is subject to suspension for one-year, with 12 points added to the vehicles driving record. Additional requirements after you receive your driving privileges can be the installation of an ignition interlock device in the offender’s vehicle for two years.
Call Martin & Reed, LLC, as soon as possible if you are charged with or are under investigation for felony DUI so that one of our Fort Collins criminal defense attorneys can help you put together a defense case. Your initial consultation is free. The sooner one of our Fort Collins DUI defense lawyers gets involved in your case, the better your chances for potentially reducing the felony charges to misdemeanor.