Expert Colorado DUI Defense
Mary Claire Mulligan has handled hundreds of DUI-related cases in her career. She was a founder of the Colorado Criminal Defense Bar’s annual DUI law conference and has been a featured speaker there. She also appeared on “Law and Justice: DUI,” a television program presented by the Boulder County Bar Association to explain DUI law to the general public.
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In 2006, Mary Claire was featured on a local television series sponsored by the Boulder County Bar Association. Titled “Law and Justice: DUI,” which can still be seen on Vimeo:
As one of the founders of the annual Colorado Criminal Defense Bar conference on DUI defense, Mary Claire has taught other lawyers on many aspects of defending DUIs, DWAIs, and DUIDs.
Frequently Asked DUI Questions
Colorado’s system related to alcohol- and drug-related driving cases is two-fold: a DUI charge begins both a criminal case in the state court system as well as a regulatory case in the Department of Motor Vehicles. It’s possible to succeed in the courts yet still lose your license at the DMV, and vice-versa.
These are overlapping systems that both need to be addressed by your lawyer. Many factors affect whether you will receive a punishment or have your license revoked. These include whether you took a blood or breath test, whether there was an accident, and what other evidence might be relevant to your situation.
The maximum blood-alcohol content (BAC) you can have while driving is set by law in Colorado. You can be charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if your BAC is 0.08% or more. If your BAC is 0.05% or over, you can be charged with a lesser offense, Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI). However, if you are under 21, you can be charged if your blood-alcohol level is 0.02% or higher.
As in most situations, if you have questions about whether what you’re doing is illegal, take the safe route.
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) is more serious than DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired). It has more severe consequences for both your license and the possibility of jail time.
If your blood-alcohol content is 0.08% or higher, you can be charged with DUI. If it is 0.05% or higher, you can be charged with DWAI.
You do not have to take a blood or breath test voluntarily, but if you do not, be aware that refusing to do so can affect your driving privileges. And there are circumstances in which a blood test is required by law.
No matter what decision you make, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to advise you about your options.