Colorado has some of the toughest laws regarding drinking and driving laws in the country. In addition to a“standard” driving under the influence (DUI) offense that generally involves driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher, Colorado also has the lesser offense of Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI), which is often brought against drivers who drive with a BAC of between 0.05 and 0.08. For drivers who are under 21, however, the legal limits are even lower. In fact, Colorado refers to its law regulating the amount of alcohol drivers who are under 21 may have in the bloodstream while driving as “zero tolerance.” In fact, the limit is a BAC of 0.02, which is essentially zero tolerance, but provides some leeway for the permissive consumption of extremely small amounts of alcohol, such as in connection with religious services or that which can be found in a single dose of cold medicine.
An Underage Drinking and Driving (UDD) Offense in Colorado is a serious legal matter. It can result in significant penalties and the existence of a permanent criminal record. As a result, it is extremely important for anyone who is facing a UDD case to discuss their options with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Denver DUI defense attorneys, call the Tiftickjian Law Firm today at (303) DUI-5280.
Sealing records can prevent consequences down the road
People who are under 21 usually have educational and professional aspirations which will involve multiple levels of scrutiny regarding their academic and personal histories. This includes applications to colleges, graduate or professional programs, internships, for professional licenses, or for employment. In addition, many people who wish to enter government work or a regulated profession will need to undergo an extensive background check. In many cases, every aspect of an applicant’s history is reviewed, including their criminal record. While a UDD case may seem like a relatively minor matter at the time that it occurs, it is still an offense that involves the illegal use of alcohol and may create questions about a person’s character and relationship with alcohol.
Records of criminal court cases, including all convictions, are public and available for anyone to access if they wish. Even if you were not convicted of your UDD, the mere existence of a case against you may cast you in a negative light and create doubt in the minds of future educational institutions, licensing boards, and potential employers. Because this can cause issues in your life, many people seek to have the record of their DUI conviction sealed to make it unavailable to the general public. Only certain criminal records qualify to be sealed, however, and in order to find out your particular eligibility, an experienced attorney should review your case.
Contact a DUI defense lawyer in Denver today
If you have been charged with a UDD, the best thing is to avoid a conviction altogether. If you do have a UDD conviction, you should look into possibly having your record sealed to avoid future consequences. No matter what your situation may be, please call the Tiftickjian Law Firm at (303) DUI-5280 to discuss your case today.
Photo Credit: Matt Pepprell via Compfight cc