One man who has been charged with drunk driving under Colorado’s new stricter felony DUI law said the threat of receiving a harsher punishment did not stop him. According to the law, a person can be charged with a felony for a fourth drunk driving offense. The man, who has been arrested for DUI/DUID/DWAI multiple times in the past, was again charged with DUI following a recent traffic stop. His arrest occurred on a recent Sunday night.
At about 11:30 p.m., the man was riding his motorcycle on Interstate 70. A state trooper stopped him. According to police, the man was slurring and mumbling his words.
At the time, the man was not driving with a valid driver’s license. His license had been revoked in 2012 for several traffic offenses. His records show that he has been arrested 13 times in Colorado for driving under the influence, as well as driving while he was ability impaired. Under the new law in Colorado, the man may face six years behind prison bars and also receive a fine of $500,000.
A DUI/DUID/DWAI charge has long-ranging implications if it becomes a conviction in Colorado. Not only will the convicted person face prison time, but also the person may struggle to find jobs due to his or her record. This is why prosecutors are required to prove DUI charges beyond a reasonable doubt before a conviction can be handed down. This standard is in place in an effort to protect innocent individuals from being convicted and sentenced for crimes. A person who faces charges of drinking and driving is entitled to the same legal protections given to people charged with other types of crimes in the state.
Source: 9news.com, “Repeat offender: Felony DUI law won’t deter others”, Whitney Wild, Sept. 29, 2015