Can a court use a 25 year old DUI to access penalties for a current DUI charge?

Get Legal Help Today

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Can a court use a 25 year old DUI to access penalties for a current DUI charge?

I have recently pled guilty for a DUI and the court is using a DWI from 25 years ago to base all of my penalties on. My blood alcohol level was .21 which I know is high and they are using that as well, but this is my first alcohol related offense in 25 years. Is there anything I can say in court to help me?

Asked on May 2, 2011 under Criminal Law, Colorado

Answers:

M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 13 years ago | Contributor

The best thing for you to do for yourself is to have an experienced attorney standing next to you doing the talking for you.  Were you not appointed an attorney?  If you can not afford one ask for one.  Now, the next best thing that you can do for yourself is to know your state's laws on the matter of prior convictions and sentencing.  Generally speaking, the court usually considers prior convictions within a certain amount of years, like the past 5 years is a common number in many state statutes.  Knowing how the court reasons on the matter, so to speak, is the only way to start to "attack" for lack of a better word, their approach here.  I urge you: please gt an attorney.


IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.

Get Legal Help Today

Find the right lawyer for your legal issue.

secured lock Secured with SHA-256 Encryption