DUI is a common charge in Colorado.

In last five weeks of 2011 alone, from Thanksgiving through the day before New Year's Eve, over 1,300 Colorado drivers had been arrested on drunk driving charges. If you have been charged with drunk driving in Denver or elsewhere in Colorado, you are not alone.

How you respond to charges of DUI or DWAI (driving while ability impaired) is very important. Your driver's license may be on the line. A first offense DUI, for example, involves a 3-month license suspension in Colorado. That is a significant problem when you need to be able to drive to your job and for other purposes.

There is also the possibility of criminal penalties, including fines, jail time, and community service. The fines for a first-offense DUI can be up to $1,000, plus the costs of complying with other terms of the sentence.

It's possible that, even if you are convicted, you can minimize many of these consequences by entering a treatment program. A Denver DUI defense attorney can help you explore that and other options and advocate for your rights and interests within the criminal justice system.

The State Patrol has estimated that the average Colorado DUI conviction costs $10,270. This includes fines and attorney fees. Keep in mind, however, that there are additional costs for the impact of possible jail time and losing driving privileges. In other words, a DUI can cause you to lose income - or even your job.

So if you have been charged with DUI, respond wisely. Get experienced Denver DWI defense counsel.

Source: "DUIs top 1,300 in Colorado so far this holiday season," New Year's crackdown to add m ore," Denver Post, 12-30-11