At Pickard Law, P.C., our attorneys have nearly a century of combined experience, and our firm has earned the respect of other legal professions in the area’s criminal justice system. If you have questions about your criminal charges or about criminal law in general, we are the firm to contact for knowledgeable answers and advice.
Below, we’ve provided some answers to criminal defense questions we are often asked. After reading, you can get answers to your own questions by scheduling an initial consultation.
In every state, the legal limit for blood alcohol content is .08%. When a person tests at or above that level, they are considered legally drunk and can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI), depending on the local terminology used.
Colorado uniquely recognizes a different offense known as “driving while ability impaired,” or DWAI. You can be charged with DWAI if you were pulled over and have a BAC between .05% and .08%. If it is your first offense, a DWAI is generally charged as a misdemeanor and carries a lighter sentence than DUI. However, after a first offense, any repeat offense of DWAI will carry the same punishments as a DUI. If charged with either offense, it is critical to seek the help of an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Unless you act quickly to defend against the charges/accusations, a domestic violence allegation could definitely hurt your child custody rights. While false allegations of domestic violence are not nearly as common as some people claim, they are more likely to occur when a partner or spouse is seeking some advantage, such as during a custody dispute.
Because our attorneys are highly experienced in both criminal defense and family law, they understand how domestic violence allegations could impact you in both contexts. And they are ready to vigorously advocate for your rights and interests in both criminal and civil court.
Most people assume that paying a speeding ticket or other citation is the easiest and cheapest way to resolve the issue. It may be the easiest way but not necessarily the least expensive. When you pay a fine, you are pleading guilty. Because you’ve now been convicted of the traffic offense, points will be added to your driver’s license. If you accrue enough points, your license could be suspended. Even before then, the infraction would be an excuse for your insurance company to increase your monthly premiums. As you can see, the costs associated with a ticket are more than just the initial fine.
We can help you contest traffic offenses/tickets, potentially avoiding license points, fines and additional consequences like higher insurance rates.
