Many people look at the New Year as a time to make a fresh start; to wipe the slate clean and put the past behind them. Unfortunately, many Colorado drivers will find this more difficult to do than others.
It is very common for law enforcement agencies to increase patrols and push for higher drunk driving arrests during holiday weekends, and this is precisely what happened over the New Year’s weekend. According to reports, at least 40 people in Colorado were cited by police recently for suspected drunk driving during the period of increased enforcement.
For the dozens of drivers who started 2015 with an arrest for drunk driving, the legal troubles they may be facing are only just beginning. It can be overwhelming and stressful, and some people may find it easier to try and ignore the situation or hope it goes away on its own.
However, DUI charges will not go away on their own, and failure to deal with them properly can result in additional consequences that can only make matters worse.
Drivers who have been arrested and charged with drunk driving in Colorado should know that they can take control of the situation and seek legal representation to defend against the charges. In some cases, it is possible to have the charges reduced to minimize penalties. It may also be possible to challenge evidence collected by authorities in an effort to have the charges dismissed altogether.
Starting the year off with an accusation for drunk driving is, undoubtedly, quite upsetting. Rather than have these issues linger on through the rest of the year and potentially end with serious consequences, it may be wise to be proactive and speak with an attorney to discuss your case and your legal options.
Source: The Denver Post, “Dozens cited for DUI in Colorado so far during New Year’s crackdown,” Anna Gauldin, Jan. 2, 2015
