Felony DUI Attorney in Denver, Colorado

Being charged with a felony DUI can impact your life in more ways than you can imagine. From increased financial penalties to stricter limitations on your driving privileges, felony DUI can have far-reaching consequences.

The Law Office of Christopher H. Cessna understands the stress and fear that comes with a DUI charge. Their experienced attorney will provide you with the robust defense you need to power through this challenging time. Located in Arvada, Colorado, the firm serves clients throughout Arvada, Denver, and the surrounding areas including Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, Berkley, Westminster, Sherrelwood, Aurora, and beyond.

Understanding Felony DUI

A DUI (driving under the influence) becomes a felony when certain aggravating factors are present. These can include a driver having multiple prior DUI convictions, causing serious injury or death while driving under the influence, and having a child in the vehicle at the time of the offense.

When you're charged with a felony DUI, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting, often carrying much harsher penalties than misdemeanor DUIs. Some of the primary consequences include:

• Longer jail sentences, larger fines, and a permanent criminal record

• Potential mandatory prison time

• Loss of driving privileges, potentially for several years, limiting the ability to work and perform day-to-day activities

• Impact on housing and employment due to background checks conducted by landlords and employers

• Affecting the right to vote or own a firearm

• Probation with strict conditions and regular check-ins with a probation officer

• Completion of accredited alcohol education or treatment programs

• Higher car insurance premiums or even the inability to secure insurance coverage

• Social consequences leading to strained personal relationships and social isolation

• Impaired ability to travel internationally due to denial of entry by some countries

• Revocation or suspension of professional licenses, severely impacting career if in healthcare, law, or finance. 

By choosing The Law Office of Christopher H. Cessna, you're getting legal representation from a dedicated partner committed to achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

Fighting a Felony DUI Charge

If you’re facing a felony DUI charge, a skilled attorney by your side can be invaluable. At The Law Office of Christopher H. Cessna, we take a personalized approach to each case. Here are some strategies we use to defend our clients: 

• Challenging the evidence: We scrutinize the evidence against you, including breathalyzer and blood test results, to ensure they were obtained and handled correctly. 

• Examining police procedures: We investigate the arresting officer’s conduct to determine if proper procedures were followed during your arrest. 

• Questioning sobriety tests: Attorney Chris Cessna is a certified DUI expert and an NHTSA-certified instructor in the administration of standardized field sobriety tests. He can challenge the accuracy and reliability of these tests. 

• Negotiating plea deals: In some cases, we may negotiate with the prosecution to reduce the charges or penalties you face. 

• Investigating witness statements: We thoroughly investigate and cross-examine witnesses to challenge their credibility and uncover inconsistencies or biases that could weaken the prosecution's case. 

• Exploring alternative sentencing options: These include community service, house arrest, or participation in rehabilitation programs to minimize the impact on your life. 

• Evaluating medical conditions: We consider any medical conditions that may have influenced your behavior or test results and provide expert testimony to explain these factors to the court. 

• Assessing violation of rights: We determine if there was any violation of your constitutional rights during the arrest or investigation process, such as wrongful search and seizure or lack of probable cause, which could lead to the dismissal of your case. 

• Conducting independent testing: If there is reason to doubt the accuracy of the prosecution’s evidence, we may arrange for independent testing of blood or breath samples to verify or challenge the results. 

• Character references: We use character references and testimonials from family, friends, and employers to demonstrate your good character and the support you have in your community. 

DUI Laws in Colorado

Colorado has strict laws when it comes to DUI offenses. Here are some key points to be aware of: 

• Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits: In Colorado, the legal BAC limit for drivers over 21 is 0.08%. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04%, and for drivers under 21, it is 0.02%. 

• Persistent drunk driver (PDD): If you are convicted of a DUI with a BAC of 0.15% or higher, you may be labeled as a Persistent Drunk Driver. This designation comes with additional penalties, including mandatory alcohol education and treatment. 

• Felony DUI threshold: In Colorado, a fourth DUI offense is automatically classified as a felony, regardless of whether any aggravating factors  

• Aggravating factors: Aggravating factors, such as causing injury or death, can elevate a DUI to a felony charge. 

Felony DUI Lawyer in Denver, Colorado

Attorney Chris Cessna is a Certified DUI Defense Specialist with over 20 years of experience. He provides one-on-one counsel and assistance to each of his clients.

Backed by numerous certifications, including being the only defense attorney in the state of Colorado who is an NHTSA-certified instructor in the administration of standardized field sobriety tests, Chris has the expertise needed to defend your rights effectively.