In June of 2019, an Aurora Police Department officer was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) and prohibited use of a weapon. She has since pleaded guilty to both offenses and has been sentenced to in-home detention and probation.
Blood Alcohol Concentration Above the Legal Limit
Last year, officers responded to a report of an accident that had occurred near westbound C-470 and Lucent Boulevard. An SUV had crashed into a concrete barrier.
Inside the vehicle was an off-duty APD officer who said she had fallen asleep while driving. However, a blood test was conducted and indicated that her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .227. In Colorado, the legal BAC limit is .08, and a person driving with an amount higher than that in their system could be charged and convicted of DUI.
The Officer Had a Gun in Her SUV
In addition to having a high BAC level, the officer also allegedly had a loaded weapon in her vehicle. Under Colorado 18-12-106 C.R.S., prohibited use of weapons, it is illegal for a person under the influence of alcohol to have a firearm in their possession. This is a class 2 misdemeanor.
Penalties the Officer Faces
After the officer entered her guilty plea, a judge sentenced her to 20 days of in-home detention and 1 year of probation. The maximum penalty for a first-time DUI and a prohibited use of weapons conviction is up to 1 year in jail. In the officer's case, the prosecution had initially sought 10 days of jail time.
Now that the criminal case has concluded, the officer is on restricted duty, and an internal investigation will begin.
Get Aggressive DUI Defense from Fife Luneau, P.C.
If you were charged with DUI in Denver, pleading guilty might not be your only option. Regardless of the evidence the State may have gathered, various defenses could be raised on your behalf, such as faulty equipment generating an incorrect BAC limit. Before you move forward with your case, reach out to our experienced attorney. We have a reputation for effectively handling complex criminal matters, and we are ready to leverage our knowledge and skills to work toward a favorable outcome for you.
Discuss your case during a free consultation by calling us at (720) 408-7130 or contacting us online.