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Denver criminal and DUI practice areas







Jay M. Tiftickjian
Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C.
600 S. Cherry St. #1105
Denver, CO 80246
Phone (303) 991-5896
Fax (303) 991-5897
Toll-Free 855-DUI-5280

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Federal DUI Court

DUI and DWI offenses charged in Federal Court are common in Colorado due to our many national parks and military bases. A federal DUI charge in Colorado involves any allegation of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs that takes place on federal property, or property that is under federal jurisdiction. Federal DUI charges are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

Sentences for DUI in Federal Court

The potential sentence for a federal DUI conviction in Colorado depends on where the allegation occurred. If you were arrested for a DUI in a federal park in Colorado, the United States Code of Federal Regulation applies, and you face up to six months in federal prison and up to a $5,000 fine. If you were arrested for a DUI on any other federal land in Colorado, such as a federal facility or military base, the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado will follow Colorado DUI law through the Assimilative Crimes Act, located at 18 U.S.C. § 13. Upon conviction for a DUI in federal court, you face up to 1 year and up to $1,000 fine with no aggravating factors pursuant to Colorado’s Title 42. In addition, federal law provides that certain aggravating factors, such as the presence of a minor in the vehicle, or serious injury or death to another as a result of the DUI, provide additional imprisonment over what Colorado state law carries for the same conduct.

Driving Under the Influence under Federal Law

Federal law defines Driving While Intoxicated and Driving Under the Influence as driving or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while having an alcohol concentration above the permitted limit as established in Colorado. Under Colorado law, as applied to federal DUI cases, it is presumed that a driver is under the influence of alcohol if the driver’s “alcohol concentration” is .08 grams or more of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.

Differences between Federal DUI law and Colorado DUI law

In federal court, while a federal court judge or magistrate may follow Colorado DUI law based on where the DUI occurred, there are procedural differences in federal court that even the most skilled DUI defense attorneys in Colorado are unaware of. For example, because DUI is considered a petty crime under federal law, you may not be entitled to a jury trial. In addition, you may be contacted by a federal pretrial services officer prior to your first court appearance in federal court to determine whether you will remain free while your federal DUI case is pending. Also, each United States District Court Judge has his or her own rules that must be followed by each attorney that appears in federal court.

A Colorado DUI attorney with experience defending federal DUI cases can determine the applicable DUI law, negotiate with the Assistant United States Attorney or Military Officer prosecuting your DUI charge, and develop a defense strategy to fight your DUI case in federal court.

Colorado DUI Defense in Federal Court

If you have been charged with a DUI in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, contact the Denver DUI attorneys at Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. for experienced and recognized DUI defense representation. We are admitted to federal court, and have a proven track record of successful DUI defense results and experience defending DUI cases in federal court. We understand the federal procedural and practical aspects to federal DUI charges and will work to get you the best possible outcome in your federal DUI case.

Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. defends federal DUI charges on federal property in Colorado such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Springs Air Force Academy, Buckley Air Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain, Peterson Air Force Base and Fort Carson Army Base. We are available to discuss your federal DUI case at 1-855-DUI-5280 or locally in Denver at (303) 991-5896. If you have a federal DUI charge pending, contact us for experienced federal court DUI defense.

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