El Paso County DUI Defense Lawyer

DUI and DWAI charges in El Paso County, Colorado carry serious and immediate consequences. An arrest can trigger license suspension, jail time, steep fines, mandatory treatment, and long-term damage to your record. Prosecutors in the 4th Judicial District aggressively pursue impaired-driving cases, even when evidence of impairment is weak or based on questionable testing methods.

At Pav Law, we defend individuals charged with DUI and DWAI throughout Colorado Springs, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Security-Widefield, and surrounding El Paso County communities. We understand how local law enforcement investigates DUI cases and how prosecutors attempt to secure convictions—and we know how to challenge both.

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Understanding DUI & DWAI Charges in El Paso County

Colorado law recognizes several impaired-driving offenses, each with different legal standards and penalties:

• DUI (Driving Under the Influence) – Prosecutors allege substantial impairment or a BAC of 0.08% or higher
• DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) – Prosecutors allege even slight impairment, often with a BAC as low as 0.05%
• DUI Drugs – Allegations involving marijuana, prescription medication, or other substances
• Felony DUI – Typically charged after multiple prior convictions or when serious injury occurs

Many drivers face charges despite believing they were safe to drive. Officers often rely on assumptions rather than objective evidence.

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How DUI Arrests Commonly Happen in El Paso County

We regularly see DUI and DWAI charges arise from:

• Traffic stops for minor infractions in Colorado Springs
• Accident investigations, even when fault is unclear
• Sobriety checkpoints
• Late-night stops near bars, restaurants, or entertainment areas
• Allegations involving prescription medications or legal marijuana use

Once an officer suspects impairment, the investigation often moves quickly toward arrest—even when testing methods are flawed.

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Field Sobriety Tests, Breath Tests, and Blood Tests

El Paso County DUI cases often rely heavily on:

• Field sobriety tests, which are subjective and frequently administered incorrectly
• Breathalyzer results, which can produce inaccurate readings due to calibration issues, medical conditions, or improper procedures
• Blood tests, which raise chain-of-custody and lab-testing concerns

At Pav Law, we scrutinize every step of the testing process to identify errors and constitutional violations.

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Penalties for DUI & DWAI Convictions

A DUI or DWAI conviction can result in:

• Jail time or probation
• Driver’s license suspension or revocation
• Mandatory ignition interlock device requirements
• Alcohol or drug education and treatment
• Fines and court costs
• Permanent criminal record

Repeat offenses and felony DUI charges significantly increase exposure to prison time and long-term restrictions.

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Common Defenses to DUI & DWAI Charges

Pav Law builds DUI defenses based on evidence, science, and constitutional law. Depending on the case, we may challenge:

• The legality of the traffic stop
• Lack of probable cause for arrest
• Improperly administered field sobriety tests
• Inaccurate or unreliable breath or blood testing
• Medical conditions or fatigue mistaken for impairment
• Violation of testing and reporting procedures

Many DUI cases weaken or collapse once the court excludes unreliable or unlawfully obtained evidence.

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The Role of the 4th Judicial District in DUI Prosecutions

Prosecutors in El Paso County often pursue DUI cases aggressively, particularly when:

• Prior DUI convictions exist
• An accident occurred
• High BAC levels are alleged
• Drug impairment is claimed

Pav Law’s experience in the 4th Judicial District allows us to anticipate how prosecutors charge cases and how judges approach sentencing, bond, and probation conditions.

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How Pav Law Defends DUI & DWAI Cases

Our DUI defense process includes:

1. Immediate review of arrest reports and body-camera footage
2. Analysis of testing procedures and lab documentation
3. Identification of constitutional violations
4. Strategic negotiations with prosecutors
5. Trial-ready preparation when dismissal or reduction is not offered

We fight to reduce charges, avoid jail, protect driving privileges, and minimize long-term consequences whenever possible.

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Why Local DUI Defense Matters in El Paso County

DUI enforcement practices vary by county. In El Paso County, officers and prosecutors follow patterns that differ from Denver, Adams, or Jefferson Counties. Pav Law’s familiarity with local DUI enforcement tactics, prosecutors, and judges gives our clients a meaningful advantage.

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