Whether you are charged with DWAI or DUI, the prosecution must prove that you were “driving” to make their case.
Driving is not specifically defined by any statute, however, a driver is defined as someone who either is driving or is in actual physical control of a vehicle. Actual physical control exists where a person exercises bodily influence or direction over a motor vehicle, a determination made by examining the totality of the circumstances.
Numerous factors can be considered in determining whether or not actual physical control exists: where the vehicle was found, where in the vehicle the person was found, whether or not the motor vehicle was running, and any other factor which tends to indicate that the person exercised bodily influence or direction over a motor vehicle or not based on your every day experience.
Driving does not require any movement of the vehicle. Additionally, it does not matter whether the defendant was alleged to have driven on a public road or highway, on a private road, or on private property.
Should you believe that there may be an issue establishing that you were driving in your case, or whether you were in actual physical control of the vehicle, do not hesitate to contact a Denver DUI Defense Attorney immediately to discuss your case and all applicable possible defenses to that case.
A preliminary hearing in Colorado is a limited court proceeding available in certain felony cases. The judge does not decide whether the accused is guilty. Instead, the prosecution must show probable cause to believe that the charged offense occurred and that the accused committed it. Although that is a much lower standard than proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the hearing can give a Denver criminal defense lawyer an early opportunity
If your partner called the police during an argument and now wants the case dropped, you may assume the two of you can simply explain that to the court and move on. In Colorado, domestic violence cases do not work that way. Once police make an arrest or prosecutors file charges, the case belongs to the state, not the person who made the original report.
When someone is charged with a crime in Colorado, one of the first questions that matters is whether the offense is a felony or a misdemeanor. The difference affects where the case is handled, the possible jail or prison sentence, the amount of fines, and the long-term consequences of a conviction.
In general, misdemeanors are less serious offenses that are usually punishable by county jail time, probation, fines, or other
