Legal Question in DUI Law in Colorado

Re: Minor in Consumption

It's a violation of the same statute (18-13-122), and carries the same penalties; the method of proving the charge is just different. If Greeley has a diversion program, which is aimed at keeping first offenders out of the criminal justice system (no criminal record), you may be offered that. You would have to take a four-hour (or so) alcohol education class, and that would be it.

Otherwise, a first offender would likely be offered a deferred sentence, meaning that if you took required alcohol education classes, did probably 24 hours of community service, and stayed out of trouble for the 9 months (likely) of your deferred, at the end the charge would be dismissed.

Don't forget that you can also plead "not guilty" and make the prosecutor prove you were drinking (he or she only has to prove you had a sip). At your age you also have a right to demand a jury trial on this charge.

Good luck.

Re: Minor in Consumption

Upon conviction of a first offense, illegal possession or consumption of ethyl alcohol by an underage person shall be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars. The court, upon sentencing a defendant pursuant to this paragraph (b), may, in addition to any fine, order that the defendant perform up to twenty-four hours of useful public service, subject to the conditions and restrictions of section 18-1.3-507, and may further order that the defendant submit to and complete an alcohol evaluation or assessment, an alcohol education program, or an alcohol treatment program at such defendant's own expense.