DUI, DWAI and DMV Law
38 Years of Colorado DUI and Alcohol-Related Driving Defense
The Harper Law Firm, P.C. has 38 years of experience defending DUI, DWAI, DUI per se, and other alcohol-related driving cases throughout Colorado. Charles Harper has represented clients in courts throughout the state in both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases, including jury trials and appeals.
The firm’s experience also includes hundreds of Colorado DMV hearings and other motor-vehicle matters involving alcohol-related driving charges and the status of a client’s Colorado driving privileges.
A DUI case in Colorado can involve two separate proceedings that need to be addressed promptly:
1. The Colorado DMV / driver’s-license case, and
2. The criminal court case.
These are separate matters, and handling one does not automatically resolve the other. A person arrested for DUI may need legal representation in both proceedings.
The DMV Hearing Can Be Urgent
One of the most important things to understand after a Colorado DUI arrest is that the driver’s-license portion of the case can require immediate attention.
When a driver’s license is surrendered at the time of a DUI stop, Colorado’s DMV procedure provides a limited period in which the driver must request an Express Consent hearing. In that circumstance, the request generally must be made within seven days. Missing the deadline can result in the loss of the opportunity for a hearing.
That is why it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a DUI arrest. The first questions should include whether the driver’s license was taken or surrendered, whether a hearing has already been requested, what the person’s current driving status is, and what the person’s Colorado driving record shows.
We Handle Both Parts of the DUI Case
The Harper Law Firm regularly handles both the Colorado DMV proceeding and the related court case.
In many cases, the DMV matter is the more immediate concern. We evaluate the driver’s license situation, request the appropriate DMV hearing when necessary, and prepare for the hearing while also beginning work on the related criminal case.
The court case and the DMV case are different proceedings, and each requires its own attention and strategy.
Extensive Colorado DMV Experience
Over 38 years of practice, Charles Harper has handled hundreds of DMV hearings and motor-vehicle matters involving Colorado driving privileges, including alcohol-related driving cases.
The Harper Law Firm regularly represents clients in matters involving:
– Colorado DMV Express Consent hearings;
– Driver’s-license revocations and suspensions;
– Requests for reinstatement of Colorado driving privileges;
– Alcohol-related driving and motor-vehicle matters;
– Issues involving a client’s Colorado driving record;
– Other Colorado DMV matters affecting driving privileges.
The firm’s DMV practice is limited to Colorado matters. We represent clients regarding Colorado driver’s licenses and Colorado DMV proceedings; we do not handle driver’s-license proceedings in other states.
Misdemeanor and Felony DUI Defense
Most DUI and DWAI offenses in Colorado are misdemeanors, but a DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI offense can become a Class 4 felony when it occurs after three or more qualifying prior convictions arising from separate and distinct criminal episodes. In practical terms, this can make a fourth qualifying offense a felony DUI case.
The Harper Law Firm has experience defending both misdemeanor and felony DUI cases, including serious cases requiring extensive court litigation, jury trials, and appeals.
Colorado DUI Defense Throughout the State
Charles Harper has spent 38 years representing Colorado drivers in DUI and alcohol-related driving cases in courts throughout the state.
The practice includes representation involving:
– DUI;
– DUI per se;
– DWAI;
– Felony DUI;
– Repeat DUI offenses;
– Alcohol-related traffic offenses;
– Colorado DMV driver’s-license proceedings;
– DMV reinstatement matters; and
– Related traffic and motor-vehicle cases.
If you have been arrested for DUI in Colorado, do not wait to find out what happens to your driver’s license. The DMV portion of the case may have an immediate deadline, while the criminal court case must be addressed separately.
Contact Attorney Charles Harper as soon as possible after a Colorado DUI arrest so that both the DMV and court aspects of the case can be evaluated promptly.