Experienced DUI Lawyer in Greeley, CO - Robert E. Ray

Felony DUI Charges

Felony DUI is a serious charge whether it is the first time or the fourth. Recent changes in the law have made the punishment for repeat offenders far more serious. The sentence for some felony DUI charges can include multiple years in prison, depending on the particulars. The details of your situation matter and as a criminal defense attorney, we understand the law. Whom you choose to represent you during the course of your felony DUI case can have a major effect on how this ends for you. When you are facing something this serious, there is no substitute for a defense attorney that will fight for you from start to finish. The sooner you call us, the sooner we can start working on your case.

DUI Defense Lawyer

When it comes to representing someone accused of felony DUI, experience matters. Aggressive prosecutors will not pull any punches when it comes to trying to convict you. With the recent changes in the law, the effect of a conviction is even more daunting. This is not something you want to try to fight on your own. Our four decades of experience in the courtroom make sure there are no surprises. The last thing you want is to be surprised in front of a judge that is hearing your felony DUI case. We have dealt with cases like yours before and will fight to get you the best possible outcome. Do not wait any longer to call us!

Whether you are innocent or not, you are entitled to due process. In addition to the experience, we bring the attitude you need to fight through to the end. You can be sure that your case will get the time and attention it needs to see the best possible conclusion. You can always count on an honest opinion from us. This is a critical facet for a criminal defense attorney. We are standing by to help you through this tough time. We know how much stress you and we can help! Let us take some of the worry from your shoulders. Get in touch with us right away so we can get this resolved.

Colorado, like every other state in America, has a legal drinking age of 21. Despite the various laws that apply to underage drinking, many young people will have their first alcoholic beverage before reaching legal age. When someone under the age of 21 drinks and drives, he or she faces potentially major consequences.If you or your child has been charged with underage DUI, a skilled lawyer can be vital in protecting you or your child's rights. At the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray, we defend young people accused of DUI charges. Our lawyers understand that you have your whole life ahead of you, and will work diligently to minimize the potential consequences associated with this charge.

Making A Strong Case Against Underage DUI Charges

In Colorado, the consequences of an underage DUI depend on your blood alcohol content (BAC) level.

• If your BAC is from .02 to .05, you will probably be charged with underage drinking and driving (UDD)
• If your BAC is between .05 and .08, you will probably be charged with driving while ability impaired (DWAI)
• If your BAC is .08 or higher, you will probably be charged with driving under the influence (DUI).

Although a UDD charge is the least serious of these charges, it can still have significant consequences. For example, you will face a three-month license suspension upon a UDD conviction. For DWAI and DUI charges, the regular penalties apply. Further, if you are under the age of 18 and your case includes charges in addition to UDD, DWAI or DUI, your case will be heard in juvenile court. This can lead to stricter penalties, including increased supervision.Our Greeley underage DUI attorneys have defended young people against all types of drinking and driving cases. We will look at whether the police followed proper procedures in your breath or blood test, including following the dui blood test time limit, and explore every possible defense to these accusations. Our aggressive approach has led to successful outcomes for people charged with colorado drunk driving across the area.

Driving while under the influence of drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs is a very serious allegation. Drug related DUIs can involve any type of illegal or legal drug. Despite the passage of Amendment 64, it is not legal to drive under the influence of marijuana. Driving under the influence of prescription drugs is also illegal. Simply having a doctor's prescription is not an adequate defense against DUI.It is important to retain the services of an experienced lawyer who will strive to achieve a favorable result in a difficult situation. As Greeley criminal defense lawyers (whether you're in Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland or nearby), the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray, will do just that. Attorney Robert E. Ray has defended people against all types of DUI charges, including drug-related DUIs, since he founded his firm in 1975.

Developing A Strong Defense To Drug Related DUIs & Drug Charges

Unlike DUI cases involving alcohol, there are no breath tests in DUI cases involving drugs. Instead, the police rely heavily on their observations of the driver and his or her driving patterns to establish intoxication. The police may also rely on urine or blood tests to determine the quantity of drugs in the defendant's system. Unlike DUI charges involving alcohol, however, there is no established standard upon which someone may be found guilty.Our law firm will dispute every part of the state's case. We can challenge the arresting officer's account of events. If there are urine or blood test results, we work with independent testers who can review the test sample and test for its accuracy. Our Greeley drug related DUI attorneys understand the many different legal issues involved in these types of cases and prepare the best possible strategy in your case.

In Colorado, DUI penalties are extremely serious. A DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) conviction will negatively impact your life in a number of ways. It is vital that you work with a law firm, and a lawyer, who knows how to counter the prosecution's evidence and make strong arguments based on the specific facts of your case. At the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray, our attorneys understand the potential DUI penalties. If there is a successful defense to your DUI, we will find it. If there isn't, we will fight to minimize the potential consequences.As part of the DUI penalties, the court shall require the defendant to complete and pay for an alcohol and drug evaluation. In addition, on second or subsequent DUI or DWAI offenses, the court must sentence the defendant to at least two years probation. As part of this probationary period, the court must impose a one-year suspended jail sentence. If you refused to submit to a breath or blood test, your driver's license will be revoked for at least one year, in addition to other penalties that apply to your charge.Vehicular assault and vehicular homicide while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are class 4 and class 3 felonies, respectively. A vehicular homicide conviction will bring a mandatory prison sentence.

Current DUI penalties and DWAI in Colorado.

Type Of Offense	Jail or Prison Time	Fine	Length of License Revocation	Public Service	Driver's License Points
DWAI - First	Two days to 180 days. If the defendant successfully completes an alcohol evaluation, the judge can suspend this sentence.	$200 to $500 (the court has discretion to suspend the fine.)	None	24-48 hours	8 points
First-Offense DUI	Five days to one year. If the defendant successfully completes an alcohol evaluation, the judge can suspend this sentence.	$600 to $1,000 (the court has discretion to suspend the fine.)	Nine months	48 to 96 hours	12 points
Second DUI or DWAI	10 days to one year	$600 to $1,500 (the court has discretion to suspend the fine.)	12 months	48 to 120 hours	8 points for DWAI, 12 points for DUI
Third or subsequent DUI or DWAI	60 days to one year	$600 to $1,500 (the court has discretion to suspend the fine.)	24 months	48 to 120 hours	8 points for DWAI, 12 points for DUI
Underage DUI (.02 to .05 BAC)	None	$100	Three months, first offense.Six months, second offense. One year, third or subsequent offense.	No more than 24 hours	4 points

If you have been accused of driving under the influence (DUI), the result of your breath test or blood test is likely to be a major part of the state's case against you. Even if your breath or blood test indicates that you were over the legal limit, you may still have strong defenses. These breath and blood tests are not always perfect, and any flaw in the process, such as not following could invalidate the test result. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer can be vital in exploring your defenses and helping you achieve a positive outcome to a seemingly hopeless situation.At the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray, Greeley criminal defense lawyers (whether you're in Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, Weld County or nearby, our lawyers have extensive experience defending people throughout the area against DUI charges. Our attorneys have successfully defended many people across Northern Colorado against drunk driving allegations.

Weld County DUI Defense Attorneys Challenging Breath And Blood Tests

Our lawyers closely examine the evidence in every DUI case. For instance, when someone submits to a blood test, the police must provide a second, untested sample.Our law firm will work with our own experts to test this second sample. In some cases, the second sample will provide favorable evidence to our client.

Further, we will look at whether the police followed proper protocols with the breath and blood tests, including:

• Observing the driver for at least 20 minutes prior to the test to observe whether the defendant burped, hiccupped or vomited
• Ensuring the test was given within two hours of the arrest
• Looking at whether the Breathalyzer machine was properly calibrated and certified

Our Greeley breath test defense attorneys will use every possible defense at our disposal to defend you against these allegations. If there is a defense, we will find it. If there is not, we will work tirelessly to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Of the many possible penalties associated with a DUI, for many people, the most serious penalty is the loss of one's driving privileges. The loss of your driving privileges will create many problems. For some individuals, such as people with commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), this can be professionally devastating.In Colorado, a DUI charge has two parts: the criminal charge, which is handled by the courts, and the administrative part, which is handled by the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.You will receive your Notice of Revocation at the police station upon your arrest or through the mail some time after your arrest. In either instance you have seven days to request a hearing.The sooner you get in touch with an experienced DUI lawyer the more options you will have. At the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray, our attorneys have successfully defended numerous individuals in both administrative and criminal proceedings. Our Greeley DUI license suspension attorneys have helped many people across Colorado avoid the worst consequences of a DUI charge.

Weld County DUI License Suspension Attorneys

Our lawyers will work closely with you throughout the process. We will talk to you about the circumstances of your arrest in order to understand your version of events. You will have the opportunity to request that the arresting officer appear at your hearing. You should almost always request that the officer appear at the hearing. If the officer does not appear, your driving privileges will not be revoked. If the officer appears, one of our attorneys will ask the officer questions about the initial stop and arrest in your case.If your hearing is unsuccessful, the length of your driver's license suspension will depend on a number of factors. If you submitted to a breath or blood test, your license will be suspended for nine months on a first offense. You will be eligible for an interlock ignition device after one month. If you refused a breath or blood test for a first offense, you face a one-year suspension with no interlock privileges at any point. Further, refusals cannot run concurrently, meaning that you will be suspended for at least one year and nine months after a first offense. Subsequent offenses face even lengthier license revocation.

A felony traffic offense can lead to years in prison, the revocation of your driving privileges and other extremely negative consequences. If you or someone you love has been charged with vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, eluding or another charge, it is absolutely crucial to work with a lawyer who understands just how much is riding on the outcome of your case. Your lawyer must be able to look closely at the evidence and develop powerful strategies aimed at achieving the best possible result. At the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray, we have the experience and knowledge you need.

Weld County Vehicular Homicide And Assault Defense Attorneys Taking On Felony Traffic Offenses

Our law firm defends every kind of felony traffic offense, including:

• Vehicular homicide: When a person operates a motor vehicle in a reckless manner and another person is killed as a result, he or she will be charged with vehicular homicide. In Colorado, vehicular homicide is a class 4 felony, unless the defendant operated his or her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. In this case, vehicular homicide is a class 3 felony.
• Vehicular assault: Vehicular assault charges involve causing serious bodily injury to another person due to driving or operating a vehicle in a reckless manner. Vehicular assault is a class 5 felony unless the defendant operated his or her vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in which case it is a class 4 felony.
• Eluding: In order to prove eluding, the state must prove the defendant knew or should have known he or she was being pursued by a police officer. In addition, the state must prove the defendant drove recklessly and knowingly eluded or attempted to elude a police officer. Eluding is a class 5 felony. Enhanced charges apply when someone is injured or killed as a result.
• Aggravated driving with a revoked license: If you are classified as a habitual offender and then commit an additional driving crime, such as DUI, DWAI, reckless driving or eluding, you face a class 6 felony charge.
• Leaving the scene of an accident: Under Colorado law, any driver involved in an accident causing injury or death must provide his or her name, address and vehicle registration number. Leaving the scene of an accident without providing this information is a class 4 felony when there is a serious injury and a class 3 felony when there is a death.

Our Greeley felony traffic offense attorneys will find any flaws in the state's evidence or any procedural shortcomings that could lead to a dismissal of the charges. If we believe trial is the best way to resolve your case, we will make a compelling presentation to a jury and judge. Our tenacity and skill has served our clients well over our firm's lengthy history.

Don’t let the legalization of marijuana fool you – Lawyers in Weld County, Colorado know the state is tough on drug crime. From possession to trafficking, the courts are cracking down on drug-related crimes. Any charge can have a major impact on your future. Specific crimes have mandatory prison time attached to them. You need to find a lawyer who will fight for you. Come see the Weld County attorneys at the law offices of Robert E. Ray.

What Our Greeley Attorneys in Weld County Want You to Know About Drug Charges

• The severity of drug crimes ranges. There are many types of drug charges, and each is a little different. Even a possession charge can have many different levels. Drug possession can be as little as a petty crime to as big as a class 4 felony. The more serious charges carry harsh sentences, but even petty crimes and misdemeanors can have a significant impact on your future.
• The laws apply to many types of drugs. The possession or trafficking of illegal drugs, like methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin, can lead to drug charges. However, did you know that you could also be charged for drugs that are seemingly “legal?” Even the improper use of prescription medications can also lead to drug charges. If you are charged with a crime, contact the Greeley attorneys at Robert E. Ray Law today.
• Penalties for drug charges are harsh. The state is working hard to combat the use of drugs, which means that they sometimes overcharge the case. Overcharging happens when someone is charged with either more crimes or a more serious crime than the situation warrants. Even if the charges are reduced, the penalties can still be harsh. Certain charges have mandatory prison sentences attached.
• You have options in your defense. In many cases, the Greeley attorneys at Robert E. Ray Law discover that the police conducted an illegal search. If the evidence against you was obtained illegally, it’s possible that the charges will be thrown out. If that’s not the case, our attorneys will still fight aggressively for you. In some prescription drug cases, the defendant has every right to the medication, and our lawyers are determined to prove that to the court.

When you’ve been charged with a drug crime, contact the Greeley attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert E. Ray at the Weld County Law Offices of Robert E. Ray right away. You shouldn’t answer any questions until you have a lawyer by your side. If there’s a defense for your drug charge, we’ll find it. If not, we work tirelessly to get our clients the best outcome possible – including reducing charges and minimizing penalties. Don’t wait any longer. Call us today for a free consultation: 970-351-6083.

Penalties depend on your prior record and the specifics of your case:

First Offense DUI

• Up to 1 year in jail
• Fines up to $1,000
• License suspension (up to 9 months)
• Community service
• Alcohol education classes

Second or Subsequent Offenses

• Mandatory jail time
• Longer license suspension
• Ignition interlock device required
• Increased fines and penalties

Even a first offense can have serious long-term consequences for your job, insurance, and future.

After a DUI arrest, two separate cases begin:

1. Criminal Case – handled through the court system
2. DMV Case – determines your driver’s license status

You only have 7 days to request a DMV hearing after your arrest. If you miss this deadline, your license can be automatically suspended.

Every DUI case is different. We carefully examine every detail, including:

• Whether the traffic stop was legal
• Accuracy of breath or blood tests
• Field sobriety test procedures
• Police conduct and reports

If law enforcement made mistakes, we work to have evidence suppressed or charges reduced—or dismissed entirely.