Denver DUI attorney Jay Tiftickjian answers the 10 most FAQs about drinking and driving.
1. Do I need an attorney for a DUI in Colorado?
Yes. The consequences of a DUI conviction in Colorado are life-altering and include jail time, the loss of your driver’s license, increased insurance premiums, state required alcohol education and therapy, monitored sobriety, and substantial fines and surcharges. A DUI conviction will follow you for the rest of your life—under the current state of the law, a conviction cannot be sealed or expunged from your record. The legal and emotional toll that a conviction might cause can be overwhelming, even devastating.
Hiring an experienced defense attorney can help relieve a great deal of your anxiety and uncertainty regarding your pending charges. For instance, when you put your trust in Tiftickjian Law Firm, you are hiring a team of experienced Colorado DUI attorneys who work together to explore every legal and factual defense in your case. Our defense team has litigated thousands of driving under the influence cases and we have the experience and knowledge to help navigate you through Colorado’s complex criminal justice system.
If you needed specialized surgery, wouldn’t you want the best surgeon for the procedure? Similarly, when charged with DUI in Colorado, you would want the most qualified, experienced, and knowledgeable Colorado DUI attorney to handle your case. Led by Jay Tiftickjian, who has received national recognition for his success as a Colorado defense attorney, the team at Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. can help you achieve the best possible result in your case.
2. Won’t I get the same result without an attorney?
While the result of every DUI case is specific to its individual facts and circumstances, you have a better chance at success if you work with an experienced defense attorney. While you have the legal right to handle a DUI case on your own, without the help of an experienced attorney you may not recognize potential defenses that exist in your case, and you may lack access to the resources you need to adequately prepare your defense. Tiftickjian Law Firm can help you navigate the complexities of DUI defense with the knowledge, experience, and extensive training that only true professionals can provide.
Additionally, without an attorney, there is no one looking out for your best interest—not the judge, and certainly not the prosecutor. If there is a defense or legal loophole that enables you to keep your driver’s license or get the charges dismissed, do you think that the prosecutor will point it out to you and tell you how and when to make your argument? The judge is a neutral party who cannot advise you on the particulars of your case. A DMV hearing officer is a government employee whose interest is in revoking your driver’s license. The police officer may have noted that you were “cooperative” on the report, but he or she also has a strong interest in a conviction.
Without an attorney, who is going to be there to guide you through the system, protect your rights, and help you achieve the best possible outcome?
3. What can Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. do for me that another law firm cannot?
We have an unsurpassed reputation in Colorado for DUI defense because we put the quality of our representation at the top of our priority list. We are not interested in being the biggest firm in Colorado or expanding our expertise outside of this area. You will not see our name in the phone book or our ads on a billboard or the side of a bus. We are not a “DUI farm,” or a law firm that accepts these cases solely for profit. We are interested in protecting you from the power the government has over you when you are accused of drunk driving.
Keep in mind, there are thousands of attorneys in Colorado that will accept your case. Occasionally, Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. may not be able to accept your matter. Because of our reputation and experience, and in the interest of providing the best legal representation possible, we must limit the number of clients and cases we accept. Accordingly, after we discuss your pending case, we may refer you to another attorney or tell you that our law firm may not be the right law firm for your case. We also do not charge “discount” or “cheap” legal fees because we are an experienced defense team and have invested time and money in advancing our knowledge of all aspects of DUI defense. We believe that our knowledge and experience is worth investing in.
4. Will you be the attorney that represents me?
I am in charge of and am involved in every client’s case. I make sure that each client is properly represented and that no stone goes unturned. I am our defense team leader.
You should understand, however, that in order to put out the best work product possible it is necessary to have a team of experienced attorneys and well-trained support staff to assist me. My law firm is assembled with competent attorneys and support staff that I have handpicked to assist me in making sure that you receive the best legal representation possible as well as top-notch client service. I train every member of my team and each member follows my philosophy of high-caliber DUI defense. Therefore, when you hire Tiftickjian Law Firm, you hire me and my team, and my entire team participates in your defense.
5. Will I lose my driver’s license?
Your driver’s license is often your key to freedom, and your ability to make a living. Losing this basic privilege can be detrimental to your livelihood. We do everything possible to find ways for you to keep your driver’s license or minimize the consequences to your driver’s license from a DUI charge.
Most Colorado DUI cases involve a separate DMV hearing to determine whether you will suffer a driver’s license revocation as a result of a breath test, blood test, or alleged refusal. The standard the government must overcome at this DMV hearing is substantially less than what must be proven in court
Nevertheless, there are strategies that we explore in every case based on your specific facts to maximize the chance that you do not lose your driver’s license. In addition, we can negotiate your case in court with the goal of minimizing your driver’s license consequences. While there is no guarantee that you will retain your driving privileges, hiring an experienced Colorado DUI attorney will give you the best chance of keeping your driver’s license.
6. Where do you accept cases in Colorado?
Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. accepts DUI cases and has represented clients all over the State of Colorado. We practice mostly in, Adams County, Arapahoe County, Boulder County, Broomfield County, Denver County, Douglas County, and Jefferson County. We also defend clients charged with DUI in Clear Creek County, El Paso County, Elbert County, Gilpin County, Grand County, Larimer County, Lincoln County, Morgan County, Park County, Summit County, and Weld County.
In addition to our law firm in Denver, we have a DUI trial office in Aspen, Colorado, to assist with our clients in the mountain comminutes, such as Eagle County, Garfield County, Grand County, Lake County, Mesa County, Pitkin County and Routt County, and the cities and towns of Aspen, Avon, Basalt, Breckenridge, Buena Vista, Carbondale, Craig, Dillon, Edwards, Glenwood Springs, Granby, Grand Junction, Gypsum, Hot Sulpher Springs, Leadville, Silverthorne, Snowmass, Steamboat Springs, Vail, and most other Colorado cities.
On a case-by-case basis, we consider accepting cases in counties not listed. Therefore, do not hesitate to contact us if you are in need of representation for a Colorado DUI charge.
7. What level of experience do the Colorado DUI attorneys in your firm have?
Every attorney in Tiftickjian Law Firm has received advanced technical training in DUI defense. Each attorney has been trained personally by me as well as through their association with the National College for DUI Defense and the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar. Each of our defense attorneys has an intricate knowledge of the Colorado DUI laws and focuses their practice on DUI defense.
8. Do I have to hire a DUI attorney immediately?
While the ultimate resolution to your case may not come for months, you must start the process immediately. First, most people arrested for DUI have to take an immediate action with the DMV to preserve their driving privilege. If the proper steps are not taken, you will automatically lose your driver’s license.
Second, it is important to start investigating your case and requesting relevant information and materials so they are not lost. In addition, the sooner we begin the process, the sooner we can start taking steps to prepare your case and counsel you to engage in activities that could assist in obtaining the best possible result.
There are several other case-specific reasons why you should seek representation immediately. If you have been charged with a DUI, be sure to contact the experienced attorneys at the Tiftickjian Law Firm.
9. What will happen at my first court appearance?
Your first court appearance is for you to be advised that you are charged with driving under the influence and other traffic offenses in Colorado. The court will advise you of certain constitutional rights you have involving the rights of trial, legal representation, and appeals. If you appear by yourself, the prosecutor may request to meet with you and have you plead guilty to a DUI charge.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, the judge may also restrict your freedom at the first court appearance. A Colorado judge has the authority to impose pretrial conditions while your case is pending. Such conditions and restrictions include monitored sobriety, travel restrictions, and periodic reporting with a pretrial supervision officer.
If you retain Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C., we may be able to file a motion with the court so that you do not need to appear at the first scheduled court date.
10. What is the next step?
Call us at (303) DUI-5280 (303-384-5280). If you are not in Colorado, our toll-free number is 1-855-DUI-5280 (1-855-384-5280). If the outcome of your pending case is important to you, I am confident that Tiftickjian Law Firm can provide you with the best possible defense and achieve the best possible result in your pending DUI case.