First Offense DUI Attorney in Denver

A first DUI arrest can turn your life upside down. You may be worried about your driver’s license, your job, and a criminal record that follows you for years. You might also be unsure how Denver area courts and the Colorado DMV will treat a first offense, and you might need the help of a first offense DUI attorney in Denver.

Landy Legal helps people facing a first DUI in this region understand their options and move forward with a clear plan. Attorney Josh Landy has spent more than 15 years resolving DUI and traffic cases in Colorado, including many first offense matters in Denver County and Jefferson County courts.

The firm provides direct, personal attention at each stage and offers free initial consultations with our first offense DUI attorneys in Denver. You can also call us at (720) 790-7110.

Why Choose Landy Legal for a First DUI

When you search for a first offense DUI attorney, you want more than a generic criminal defense firm. You need someone who understands how Colorado DUI laws are applied to first timers and how cases move through Denver County Court, Jefferson County Court, and the DMV. That is the core focus of Landy Legal.

Attorney Josh Landy has over 15 years devoted to DUI and serious traffic defense in this region. Before founding Landy Legal, he served as a Colorado State Public Defender for seven years, where he handled a high volume of criminal cases and conducted more than 90 jury trials. That trial experience gives him a practical sense of how prosecutors think, how judges approach evidence, and what juries tend to find persuasive.

Josh Landy has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: General Practice and White Collar in Denver for 2023 and 2024. This recognition reflects peer review within the legal community and signals a consistent level of quality in criminal defense work. For a first time DUI defendant who feels the system is unfamiliar and intimidating, independent recognition can be an important reassurance.

Clients at Landy Legal work directly with Josh Landy at every stage. As a first offense DUI attorney in Denver, he personally reviews the police reports, videos, test results, and background information in each case. The firm is known for detailed case analysis and individualized strategies, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. For a first offense DUI, that can mean carefully examining whether the stop was lawful, whether field sobriety tests were conducted correctly, and whether breath or blood testing complied with Colorado rules.

Landy Legal also focuses on practical concerns that matter to first time defendants. Those concerns often include keeping a job, preserving a professional license, maintaining driving privileges where possible, and avoiding long term damage to a record. The firm’s role as your first offense DUI lawyer in Denver is to help you understand realistic options and to advocate for the best achievable outcome under Colorado law.

What Does a First DUI MEAN in Colorado? Our First Offense DUI Attorney in Denver Answers

Many people assume that a first DUI will be treated as a minor mistake. In Colorado, a first conviction can still bring serious and lasting consequences. Understanding the basics can help you see why it is important to respond thoughtfully and with the guidance of a first offense DUI lawyer.

Colorado law distinguishes between DUI, which generally involves a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher, and DWAI, which can apply at lower levels if driving is impaired. Even on a first offense, the court can impose fines, probation, alcohol education or treatment, community service, and in some situations a jail sentence. The details depend on factors such as your blood alcohol level, whether there was an accident, and your overall history.

A first DUI can also affect your driver’s license. Colorado has Express Consent laws that govern what happens when you submit to or refuse testing. After a first DUI arrest, you typically receive paperwork related to a possible administrative license action. You usually have a short period to request a hearing with the Colorado DMV. If you miss that deadline, you may face an automatic license suspension, even before any court conviction.

These court and DMV processes are separate, but they interact. Choices you make early can affect both your criminal case and your driving privileges. A first offense DUI attorney in Denver who regularly appears in local courts and handles DMV hearings can help you coordinate these tracks in a way that makes sense for your situation.

There are also collateral consequences to consider. A first DUI on your record can affect how employers view you, especially if you drive for work or hold a professional license. It can impact insurance rates and future background checks. Understanding these potential outcomes early allows you and your attorney to discuss strategies that may limit long-term damage where possible.

Steps To Take After a First DUI Arrest

The days immediately after a first DUI arrest are often confusing. You might have paperwork from the officer, court dates on the horizon, and questions from family or an employer. Knowing what to do in the short term can protect your options later.

Colorado law and Denver area court procedures create strict timelines. The date on your summons controls when you must appear in court, and DMV rules control how quickly you must request a hearing on any potential license suspension. Missing these deadlines can limit what can be done later, even by a skilled first offense DUI attorney in Denver.

Helpful steps to take after a first DUI arrest:

• Gather all paperwork you received, including the summons, Express Consent forms, and any bond conditions, and keep them in one place.
• Write down your memory of the events as soon as you can, including where you were, what you had to drink, when you drove, and what the officer said and did.
• Avoid discussing the details of your case on social media or with people who might be called as witnesses later.
• Note any deadlines listed on your paperwork, particularly the time limit for requesting a Colorado DMV hearing related to your license.
• Contact a law firm that regularly handles DUI cases to schedule a consultation and review the facts and deadlines in your situation.

During a free consultation at Landy Legal, you can go over these documents and your recollection of what happened. Attorney Josh Landy can explain what each piece of paper means, what choices you have at this early stage, and how court and DMV processes usually unfold in Denver County Court or Jefferson County Court. Taking these steps promptly can put you in a better position as your case moves forward.

How Landy Legal Handles First DUI Cases

For someone facing a first DUI, one of the most stressful parts of the experience is not knowing what your attorney is doing or what to expect at each stage. Landy Legal works to make the process more understandable and more manageable, from the first consultation through final resolution.

Your case typically begins with an arraignment in a county court such as Denver County Court or Jefferson County Court. At this first setting, the court advises you of the charges and potential penalties. Some people consider entering a plea at this early point, but many benefit from having an attorney review the evidence before making decisions that could affect their record for years.

When you hire Landy Legal, attorney Josh Landy personally obtains and reviews the discovery in your case. That discovery can include police reports, body camera footage, dispatch logs, and records from breath or blood testing. As your first offense DUI attorney in Denver, he looks closely at whether the officer had a lawful basis to stop the vehicle, whether field sobriety tests were administered and interpreted according to training, and whether chemical testing complied with Colorado’s technical and procedural requirements.

Based on that analysis, Josh Landy discusses with you the strengths and weaknesses he sees in the evidence. He explains any potential legal challenges that might be available and how judges in this region typically handle similar issues. He also reviews any plea offers from the prosecution with you, including what they would mean for your record, license, and day-to-day life.

Landy Legal has a history of persuading law enforcement agencies not to file charges in some matters and obtaining dismissals after charges were filed. These results stem from detailed case work and advocacy, not from shortcuts. While past outcomes cannot predict future results, they do show the firm’s commitment to thorough preparation and individualized strategy.

If a case proceeds toward trial, Josh Landy draws on the more than 90 jury trials he conducted as a Colorado State Public Defender. That background can be particularly important when assessing whether a case should be tried, how a jury might view the facts, and what risks and opportunities exist if you choose to contest the charges in court.

First DUI Cases in Denver Area Courts

Where your case is filed and how it moves through the system will depend in part on where the arrest occurred. In the Denver area, many first offense DUI cases are heard in Denver County Court or in Jefferson County Court for incidents in places such as Lakewood.

These courts handle DUI and traffic matters every day, and each has its own calendar procedures and local practices. For example, pretrial conferences are typically scheduled so the defense and prosecution can discuss potential resolutions. Judges may have different approaches to sentencing on first offenses, including how they view alcohol education, community service, or jail in particular circumstances.

Separate from the court case, the Colorado DMV handles administrative actions related to your driver’s license. After a first DUI arrest, you usually have only a limited number of days to request an Express Consent hearing. Those hearings often take place at DMV offices or by remote means, and the issues are narrower than in the criminal case. However, the outcome still has a major impact on your ability to drive.

Landy Legal appears regularly in these Denver area courts and works with the DMV processes that accompany first DUI arrests. That local familiarity helps the firm anticipate common scheduling patterns, paperwork requirements, and expectations in both tracks of your case. It also helps your attorney explain what you are likely to encounter in specific courtrooms, rather than giving only abstract information.

When you work with a first offense DUI attorney in Denver who knows these courts, you gain more than legal knowledge. You gain guidance that is grounded in how cases like yours are actually handled here, which can make a stressful situation more predictable and manageable.

To talk with an attorney about your first DUI and your options, call us at (720) 790-7110 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I go to jail for a first DUI in Colorado?

Jail is possible on a first DUI, but it is not automatic. The risk depends on factors such as your blood alcohol level, whether there was a crash, and your overall history. A first offense DUI attorney in Denver can explain what local judges typically do and help you pursue alternatives where available.

Can I keep my license after a first DUI arrest?

You may be able to keep some form of driving privilege, but it often depends on prompt action. Colorado’s Express Consent rules set short deadlines to request a DMV hearing. Landy Legal helps clients understand these deadlines and options, such as restricted licenses where they are available.

Do I really need a lawyer for a first DUI?

Handling a first DUI without counsel is risky because Colorado’s laws and local procedures are complex. With more than 15 years in DUI and traffic defense, attorney Josh Landy can review the evidence, explain your options, and help you make decisions that fit your goals and circumstances.

How long will my first DUI case take in Denver?

First DUI cases in Denver County Court or Jefferson County Court often take several months from the first appearance to resolution. The timeline depends on court calendars, how quickly discovery arrives, and whether you contest the charges. Your attorney can give a more specific estimate after reviewing your case.

What happens in a free consultation with Landy Legal?

During a free consultation, you speak directly with attorney Josh Landy. He reviews your paperwork and your account of what happened, explains the court and DMV processes, and discusses possible approaches. You can ask questions and decide whether to move forward with representation without any obligation.

If you are dealing with a first DUI arrest, you do not have to try to figure this out alone. Landy Legal offers free initial consultations so you can talk directly with an attorney about what this means for you and what can be done next.