A man in Colorado has received a sentence of 400 days behind bars after joking about having driven while intoxicated and causing a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury. The joking statement was presented during the man’s jury trial back in October. His sentencing in connection with the DUI accident took place on a recent Monday.
According to authorities, a police officer heard the man admit to being under the influence during a 2015 motor vehicle crash, for which he had entered a plea of not guilty in March 2016. The vehicle collision resulted in life-threatening injuries. Police said the man made the joke about potentially injuring people while high when he was with a friend at a marijuana dispensary.
Authorities said that the man may have been intoxicated at the time of the joking incident. He had also allegedly joked about the possibility of going to jail and about the trial. He ended up pleading guilty to misdemeanor DUI and felony vehicular assault.
When a person in Colorado is charged with DUI, he has the right to proceed to trial to fight the charges. Prosecutors at trial have to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt — a standard that is in place in an effort to prevent innocent people from being convicted of crimes they did not commit. Instead of going to trial, a defendant may choose to seek a plea deal with prosecutors, which may result in a more lenient sentence depending on the case. The criminal defense will push for the outcome that is in the client’s best interest and work to ensure that none of his or her rights are violated during any stage of the criminal proceedings.
Source: aspendailynews.com, “No joking matter: Man gets nearly 400 days in jail“, Chad Abraham, Nov. 22, 2016