Legal Question in DUI Law in Colorado

D,u.I.

I was sitting in my truck with the keys in the ignition after blowing in my interlock and it failed so the cops arrested me for d.u.i.Can I be charged with this when my truck would not start


Asked on 2/01/07, 7:40 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Jason Savela The Savela Law Firm, PC

Re: D,u.I.

They can charge you, but can they convict you - I think not. The case law says the minimum needed for DRIVING is actual physical control and that evidence of this can be sitting in driver seat with keys in the ignition. BUT - jury's will look at the total circumstance (for example, a person in parked car with engine on using car for shelter and engine for heat, but with no intent to put car in gear and move, is not driving).

Your case may have had the intent to drive, but you relied on the interlock to tell you if you were safe to drive - it told you that you were not safe to drive, and when police showed up you were considering your options on how to get home - cab, walk, friend, etc.

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Answered on 2/02/07, 11:56 am
Clifton Hypsher Hypsher & Assoc., LLC

Re: D,u.I.

Unusual case. Whether or not you were driving is an issue of fact, i.e., you installed the interlock device to prevent driving under the influence. Because the interlock served its intended purpose you could not have been driving. I think you have an excellent argument that that you were not driving and therefore, not dui! Call me if you have questions 303.806.5104

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Answered on 2/01/07, 8:22 pm
Philip Rosmarin Rosmarin Law Firm

Re: D,u.I.

If you are found to be in actual physical control of your truck while intoxicated, you could be convicted of DUI. It doesn't matter whether the truck was moving, or even parked.

One question to be argued is whether you can be in physical control of a truck that will not start. A whole host of questions need to be answered around that issue, but one thing is virtually certain: you should probably not try to make that argument to the DA or the court without a lawyer.

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Answered on 2/01/07, 9:15 pm


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