Colorado Springs Criminal Law Blog

Colorado drivers who have received a DUI charge may think that their only option is to plead guilty. What they don’t realize is that pleading guilty before exploring every option forfeits their right to present a case in front of a judge, should favorable evidence be found at a later time. Not only that, drivers who plead guilty risk facing penalties that may have otherwise been reduced or dismissed. It’s best to consult with an experienced Colorado DUI attorney before entering into any kind of plea to ensure that you understand all of your rights.

DUI penalties may include a possible prison sentence, large fines, suspension or revocation of your Colorado driver’s license and other consequences. If you wait until you have had the opportunity to speak to an attorney, you may be able to build a strong defensive case that won’t have such a negative impact on your future. It would be beneficial to you, your family, and your future to remain calm and you may want to contact an aggressive DUI lawyer in Colorado Springs to help you.

If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI, DWI or DWAI in Colorado, you may be feeling overwhelmed, frightened and nervous. An experienced DUI attorney can help protect your rights and explain every option to you before you make the decision to plead guilty. The skilled Colorado Springs DUI lawyers at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. have handled a wide range of DUI cases and have the experience and tenacity you need to garner a fair and successful outcome of your case. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, call (719) 475-2555 today.

Avoiding a DUI in Colorado is very simple. All you have to do is choose to drink or choose to drive, but not both. Because alcohol affects everyone differently, there are a few factors that you should be aware of when it comes to your level of intoxication. A person’s weight, height and gender all play roles in how their body absorbs and metabolizes alcohol. The amount of food and other liquid that a person may have consumed and how many drinks they have had in a certain amount of time also factor in.

A person who eats a cheeseburger, fries and tops it off with a shake will not feel the effects of alcohol nearly as much as someone who has eaten nothing throughout the day. The food in the full person’s stomach will ultimately slow the absorption of the alcohol. However, it is important to note that eating to this level is not a buffer against the affects of alcohol consumption and a person can still be charged with DUI.

In Colorado, a blood alcohol level (BAC) of .05% is enough to be charged with driving while ability impaired (DWAI). If your BAC is at .08% or more, it’s considered driving under the influence (DUI). Both charges are serious and come with penalties that can have a negative impact on your life. Ultimately, the best thing to do in order to avoid both of these offenses is to abstain from drinking and driving altogether.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a DWAI or DUI in Colorado, you may be feeling nervous, frightened and unsure. It’s very important to get in contact with an experienced CO drunk driving defense attorney as soon as possible. They can help you understand your rights under Colorado DUI law and explain all of your options so that you can make an informed decision on how to best proceed with your case. The Colorado Springs DUI attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. have the skill and knowledge it takes to represent you and help you earn the best possible outcome for your DUI charge. Call us today at (719) 475-2555 for more information.

Mary Malatesta, Denver’s new Safety Manager, plans to reopen cases of alleged police brutality and discipline the officers involved, according to a recent report by Colorado CW affiliate KWGN.

Ms. Malatesta was sworn in as Safety Manager after the resignation of former Safety Manager Ron Perea. Mr. Perea left the job after rumors surfaced that he had failed to investigate or discipline officers allegedly involved in episodes of police brutality. In particular, Mr. Perea chose not to fire two officers who were caught on camera beating a Denver resident, instead arguing that he had done enough by docking their pay.

Other reported instances of police brutality include a dog owner who was allegedly beaten by police and an inmate who died in the Denver County Jail.

Police brutality is a particularly troubling form of assault. The victim is often helpless and left with nowhere to turn for help after the assault occurs. They may be left with permanent injuries or may face criminal charges merely for attempting to defend themselves. Victims of police brutality in Colorado may also find themselves admitting to crimes they did not commit in order to stop an assault.

If you have been charged with a crime in Colorado, you have several legal rights, including the right to be free of physical harm. If police brutality has interfered with your case, it would be highly beneficial to seek the help of an experienced Colorado Springs criminal defense lawyer. The attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. will fight hard to defend your rights in court and ensure the best possible outcome in your case. Call skilled attorney Timothy Bussey today at 719-475-2555 for a free and confidential consultation.

A sobriety checkpoint set up by the state patrol and the Colorado Springs police handed out sixteen citations in August, according to a report by CBS News affiliate KKTV. During the four hours the checkpoint was in effect, police checked 1,176 drivers. Of these drivers, 33 were given field sobriety tests to check for intoxication. Sixteen of the drivers checked for intoxication received citations for driving under the influence, or DUI.

Seven other drivers stopped at the checkpoint were cited for non-DUI-related offenses, including possession of drug paraphernalia and carrying an open container of alcohol.

The checkpoint was set up as part of the Colorado State Patrol’s “100 Days of Heat” campaign, in which state police set up sobriety checkpoints and patrol more heavily between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The increased scrutiny of drivers is intended to reduce the number of intoxicated drivers on the roads in summer. According to the Colorado State Patrol, more than one-third of all drunk driving fatalities in Colorado occur during the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

There are specific requirements for a constitutional sobriety checkpoint. If the checkpoint was not operated in conformity with guidelines established by the United States Supreme Court, you may have a defense.

If you’ve been cited at a Colorado checkpoint, please contact an experienced Colorado Springs DUI lawyer. The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. has an unparalleled understanding of DUI law and will fight to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today at 719-475-2555 for a free and confidential consultation.