Being arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) or being in actual physical control (APC) of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Colorado can intensely impact your life and the lives of those around you who you love and care about. Jail time, loss of your driving privileges, unbearable auto mobile insurance premiums, loss of your job, eviction from housing, and bad credit ratings are but a few of the problems that can result from a DUI.
Just because the officers took your driver’s license, your world has changed. Following are a few of the many things you can no longer do although you have NOT been convicted of any crime or EVEN appeared in court:
• Cash a check
• Open a bank account
• Buy car insurance
• Rent a car
• Rent a hotel room
• Enter a federal building
• Board an airplane
• Obtain certain jobs
Have you had a friend, co-worker, or even worse, an attorney, tell you a DUI is no big deal? Heaven forbid that they say you may be able to save money and just plea it yourself, “The worst that will happen is you will be on probation for a while, do some classes and pay some fines.”
Sound familiar?
STOP --- BE CAREFUL! Even in court there are many hidden costs. Following is a list of potential costs associated with a DUI in Colorado:
• Up to 1 year in jail
• $1,500 fine
• Mandatory community service, up to 120 hours
• You may be fired from your present job
• You may excluded as a candidate for a new position or job because of an alcohol conviction
• Your credit rating may be downgraded
• Most insurance policies will not allow you to drive a company vehicle with a conviction -- your boss will have no choice -- you may be fired
• Loss of your driver’s license for up to 1 year on a first offense and possibly longer if you have prior offenses
• Lifetime loss of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) – for multiple offenses even if none of them occurred in a commercial vehicle
• Lifetime inability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Loss of a Pilot’s License (15 DAYS to appeal and various other reporting requirements )
• Your auto insurance can increase by thousands of dollars each year for years to come and your current carrier may drop your coverage all together
• You may be prevented from entering foreign countries, including Canada
• You may be evicted from many rental units and others may refuse to allow you to move in
• Many future jobs may be closed to you due to a conviction
• Life insurance policies may be up-rated, canceled, or new coverage denied
• Court costs and cost of prosecution in excess of $2,200
• You can be required to install an interlock device (blow to start your car) in every vehicle you own or drive for two years or more –costing you thousands of dollars
These are only the most common hidden costs of a DUI. Your record will be under scrutiny for years to come and there easily can be other negative issues caused by a conviction. In Colorado, a DUI or DWAI stays on your record for life. It cannot be sealed or expunged. DUI is truly a lifelong offense.
The point we are stressing is that there is no such thing as a “Simple DUI”. The costs are extreme and you may continue to pay for years to come and possibly the rest of your life. If you are in this unfortunate situation, you should do everything possible to ensure you obtain the best possible outcome.