DUI / DWAI / DUID Defense
DUI, DWAI, DUID & Vehicular Assault Defense Attorney in Colorado
"A DUI arrest is not the end of the case. The stop, arrest, test evidence, and procedures must be challenged. These charges can be beat. We have achieved not guilty verdicts and complete dismissals of DUI charges."
— Jason Savela
You have 7 days to request a DMV hearing. Act now.
Colorado DUI Law Is Complex — and Beatable
Colorado has some of the strictest DUI & Vehicular Assault laws in the country, but an arrest is not the end of the road. Breathalyzer and blood test results can be misleading and inaccurate. Field sobriety tests are rarely conducted properly. Traffic stops can be unlawful. The Savela Law Firm, P.C. has achieved complete dismissals of DUI charges by scrutinizing every step of the arrest process — from the initial stop to the chemical test. Jason Savela personally handles every case.
Charges We Defend
DUI — Driving Under the Influence
Charged when a driver is substantially incapable of safely operating a vehicle due to alcohol or drugs. BAC of 0.08% or higher creates a presumption of DUI.
DWAI — Driving While Ability Impaired
A lesser charge than DUI, but still serious. Charged when a driver is even slightly impaired. BAC between 0.05% and 0.08% can trigger a DWAI charge.
DUID — Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
Colorado's marijuana legalization has not eliminated DUID charges. Drug recognition evaluators and blood tests are used — and both can be challenged.
Felony DUI
A fourth or subsequent DUI in Colorado is a felony. The stakes are dramatically higher — we bring our full trial experience to these cases.
Underage DUI
Colorado has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21. Even a BAC as low as 0.02% can result in charges with lasting consequences.
DUI with Injury or Death
Vehicular assault and vehicular homicide charges carry severe penalties. These cases demand the most experienced trial defense available.
DUI Injury Crash
When alcohol is alleged in a crash causing injury or death, prosecutors pursue felony vehicular assault or vehicular homicide. These are among the most aggressively prosecuted charges in Colorado.
DUI Injury Crash: Vehicular Assault & Vehicular Homicide
When a DUI arrest involves an injury or fatality, Colorado prosecutors escalate to felony charges under C.R.S. § 18-3-205 (vehicular assault) and C.R.S. § 18-3-106 (vehicular homicide). These are among the most serious charges a driver can face — and they demand an experienced trial attorney from the very first day.
Vehicular Assault — C.R.S. § 18-3-205
A driver who operates a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and causes serious bodily injury to another person commits vehicular assault. Under the DUI subsection, this is a Class 4 felony carrying 2–6 years in prison, 3 years of mandatory parole, and fines up to $500,000. "Serious bodily injury" includes broken bones, significant disfigurement, loss of a body part, or any injury with a substantial risk of death.
Vehicular Homicide — C.R.S. § 18-3-106
If a person dies as a result of a DUI-related crash, the charge becomes vehicular homicide — a Class 3 felony. A conviction carries 4–12 years in prison, 5 years of mandatory parole, and fines up to $750,000. The prosecution must prove the driver operated recklessly while under the influence, but Colorado courts have interpreted "reckless" broadly in DUI crash cases.
Aggravated Ranges & Consecutive Sentences
Courts may impose sentences in the aggravated range — up to double the maximum — when extraordinary aggravating circumstances exist, such as multiple victims, prior felony convictions, or a BAC significantly above the legal limit. When multiple people are injured, each victim can result in a separate count, and sentences may run consecutively.
How We Defend These Cases
Causation is the critical battleground. The prosecution must prove the driver's impairment — not road conditions, mechanical failure, or the other driver's actions — caused the crash. We retain independent accident reconstruction experts, challenge blood draw timing and chain of custody, scrutinize the crash investigation, and contest every element of the state's theory. A strong defense at the outset can mean the difference between a felony conviction and a reduced charge or acquittal.
How We Challenge DUI Evidence
Unlawful Traffic Stop
Police must have reasonable suspicion to pull you over. If the stop was unlawful, all evidence gathered afterward may be suppressed.
Field Sobriety Test Errors
FSTs are subjective and affected by medical conditions, fatigue, and road conditions. We challenge the officer's administration and interpretation.
Breathalyzer Accuracy
Breathalyzers require proper calibration and maintenance. We obtain maintenance records and challenge the reliability of the device used.
Blood Test Chain of Custody
Blood samples must be properly collected, stored, and analyzed. Any break in the chain of custody can render the results inadmissible.
The DMV Hearing — Act Within 7 Days
After a DUI arrest in Colorado, you have only 7 days to request a DMV hearing to contest the suspension of your driver's license. Missing this deadline results in automatic suspension. We handle the DMV hearing alongside your criminal defense, fighting to protect your driving privileges from day one.
Call us today — we handle the DMV hearing alongside your criminal defense.
Charged With DUI? Call Before You Say Anything.
Do not answer questions, do not take field sobriety tests voluntarily, and do not wait to call an attorney. The sooner we get involved, the more options we have.
Contact Us Today