On March 22, 2010, the Denver Post reported that a Colorado State Patrol trooper was arrested on suspicion of drinking and driving. David Dolan, a veteran with over 20 years of law enforcement service was pulled over after the Sheriff’s Office received “multiple calls” reporting a state patrol car was “driving erratically”. Dolan was pulled over while in full uniform and arrested on suspicion of DUI, DUI per se, and prohibited use of weapons.

In 2000, Congress passed the DOT Appropriations Act of FY 2001 – adopting .08 BAC as the national illegal limit for impaired driving. A DUI (driving under the influence) is a criminal offense that is often times referred to as a DWI (driving while intoxicated), DWI (driving while impaired), OWI (operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated) or an OMVI (operating motor vehicle while intoxicated) – depending on the jurisdiction. In Colorado, a DUI offense is a BAC of .08 or above.  While a DWAI (driving while ability impaired) offense is issued with a BAC of .05 but less than .08. With both offenses, the charge relies upon outward signs of intoxication. Examples include: poor driving, blood shot eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol. A DUI per se ticket differs from a DUI in that a DUI per se requires the physical proof of a BAC over .08 through either a breath or blood test. It is common to see charges of both DUI and DUI per se in order to increase chances of conviction.

Statistics from the Colorado State Patrol indicate that for patrol covered crashes in 2008, 40.1% of DUI-caused crashes resulted in fatalities or injuries.

Colorado Springs DUI Defense attorney Sarah Christensen has helped many people with DUI and DUI per se tickets. If you or a loved one has been charges with a DUI or DUI per se, contact an experienced DUI and DUI per se lawyer Sarah Christensen is available at 719-634-7770.

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