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Extreme DUI Attorney in Denver

Facing a High-BAC DUI? Put More than 16 Years of Experience to Work.

If you’ve been arrested for a high-BAC DUI in Denver, the questions come fast: What happens to your license? What does this mean for your job? How do courts in Denver handle these cases? Landy Legal is a Denver-based criminal defense firm led by Josh Landy, who has more than 16 years of experience resolving DUI and traffic violations throughout the Denver region. Landy personally handles each case based on its specific facts.

His background includes more than 90 jury trials during seven years as a Colorado State Public Defender and recognition by Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense in Denver for 2023 and 2024. Landy Legal provides free initial consultations for matters in Denver, Lakewood, and Jefferson County.

Contact us for a free consultation to begin reviewing your case with an extreme DUI attorney in Denver. Call Landy Legal at (720) 790-7110.

What “Extreme DUI” Means Under Colorado Law

The term “extreme DUI” is commonly used to describe a high-BAC DUI allegation, but it isn’t a separate criminal offense under Colorado statutes. Colorado law defines DUI per se as driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more at the time of driving or within two hours after driving. A BAC of 0.15 or more at the time of a single offense can be one basis for classification as a persistent drunk driver, which carries its own sentencing consequences under Colorado law.

Colorado’s first-offense sentencing statute also contains a separate enhanced minimum jail provision for DUI or DUI per se with a BAC of 0.20 or more, subject to statutory alternatives. The charges and consequences that apply depend on the specific BAC evidence, prior record, the offense charged, and the sentencing provisions relevant to that case. An extreme DUI lawyer in Denver can review those details and explain what the statutes mean for your situation.

Why Clients Choose Landy Legal for Extreme DUI Defense

Josh Landy founded Landy Legal after seven years as a Colorado State Public Defender, during which he conducted more than 90 jury trials across a broad range of criminal charges. That volume of trial experience is directly relevant when the facts in a high-BAC case are contested.

Landy has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: General Practice and White Collar in Denver for both 2023 and 2024. He has also led training seminars for criminal defense attorneys throughout Colorado. Clients work directly with him at every stage of their case, from arraignment through trial, with no hand-off to a less experienced attorney.

Landy Legal’s defense record includes persuading law enforcement agencies against filing charges and achieving numerous dismissals after charges were filed, in cases where the facts supported that outcome. Each case receives a detailed review of police reports, video evidence, witness statements, and the circumstances of the arrest before any strategy is developed.

What Follows a Denver Extreme DUI Arrest

A Denver DUI case can involve criminal-court proceedings and a separate Colorado DMV matter, each with its own documents, deadlines, and potential consequences for driving privileges. Landy personally represents clients through both the criminal-court stages and DMV-related proceedings.

Common stages in a Denver DUI criminal case can include:

Arraignment. The first court appearance, where formal charges are presented and an initial plea is entered
Pretrial conferences. Court dates where status is reviewed, discovery is exchanged, and potential resolutions are discussed
Evidentiary litigation. Motions challenging the stop, arrest, testing procedures, or admissibility of evidence
Plea discussions. Negotiation based on the facts, prior record, and legal issues identified during review
Trial preparation. If no resolution is reached, preparation for a Denver County Court trial

Potential Consequences & Defense Issues in High-BAC DUI Cases

Landy Legal represents first-time offenders, underage drivers, and commercially licensed professionals facing DUI charges in Denver. The possible consequences of a conviction can include jail, fines, probation, alcohol education or treatment requirements, license revocation or restriction, ignition interlock device requirements, and surcharges. A persistent drunk driver classification, which a BAC of 0.15 or more can trigger for a single offense, may affect the consequences associated with a conviction under Colorado law.

Clients with prior DUI or DWAI offenses face heightened exposure, and a high-BAC charge can also intersect with a potential felony DUI in certain circumstances. For commercial drivers and people whose employment or professional licensing requires disclosure of criminal or driving matters, a DUI allegation creates concerns beyond the criminal case itself. Landy has experience defending professionals and commercial drivers and includes those potential employment and licensing effects in the case assessment.

Defense issues commonly examined in high-BAC DUI cases include:

The legality of the traffic stop and probable cause for the arrest
The administration and reliability of chemical testing
Timing and chain of custody for test samples
Arrest procedures and constitutional protections
Witness statements and the conduct of law enforcement at the scene

The prior conviction record, the alleged BAC, the type of test administered, and the specific charge can each change the available defenses and the consequences that may apply. No outcome can be promised because that analysis is specific to the evidence and law in each case.

How Landy Legal Handles an Extreme DUI Defense

Josh Landy personally examines the police report, video from the stop and arrest, witness statements, and the steps taken by officers during and after the arrest. His seven years as a Colorado State Public Defender, including more than 90 jury trials and attorney training throughout Colorado, shape the way each case is analyzed.

Clients can expect the following throughout their case:

Direct communication from Josh Landy at each phase of the proceedings
Comprehensive review of both the criminal case and the DMV-related matter
Preparation for Denver County Court hearings and any applicable DMV Express Consent proceeding
Individualized strategies based on the facts, the applicable charges, and the client’s specific goals

Negotiation, pretrial motions, evidentiary litigation, and trial are distinct potential components of a DUI defense. Not every case requires every step. The evidence and the client’s goals determine which steps are appropriate. For clients dealing with DUI charges in Denver, Landy explains which options are realistic at every stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Soon Should I Contact an Attorney After My Arrest?

As soon as possible. Both the criminal case and the DMV matter involve deadlines, and some of those deadlines are short. Early legal review can preserve evidence and leave time to act on any applicable hearing requests. You can contact an attorney promptly to discuss your situation with Josh Landy and understand your options.

Colorado’s Two-Track DUI Process: Criminal Court & the DMV

The criminal case and the driver’s license matter don’t share the same timeline, documents, or decision-maker.

The Criminal Case in Denver County Court

Most DUI and DWAI cases arising from Denver arrests are filed in Denver County Court, which handles misdemeanor matters in the Second Judicial District. The criminal case moves through arraignment, pretrial conferences, potential motions practice, and, if not resolved earlier, trial. The outcome of the criminal case affects whether a conviction is entered and which sentencing provisions apply, including any penalties tied to the BAC level or a persistent drunk driver designation.

The Colorado DMV Express Consent Matter

The driver’s license matter is handled separately through the Colorado DMV under the state’s Express Consent law. Colorado DMV materials describe the hearing procedures, potential license consequences, and pathways involving reinstatement or ignition interlock requirements that may apply depending on the circumstances of the stop and the administrative action received.

The deadline to request a hearing depends on the specific documents received after the arrest. In breath-test or refusal cases where a license was surrendered at the stop, drivers have seven days to request an Express Consent hearing. When a blood test was administered, the DMV mails a Notice of Revocation after results are processed, and that notice identifies the applicable response deadline. The notice, citation, and DMV paperwork received after the stop identify which type of action has been initiated and what deadline applies.

Why Both Tracks Matter

A resolution in the criminal case doesn’t automatically resolve the DMV matter. License consequences, ignition interlock requirements, and reinstatement conditions are determined through the DMV process, not the criminal court. Missing a DMV deadline while focused on the criminal case can result in a license outcome that proceeds without the driver’s participation. Reviewing all documents received after a DUI arrest, including the DMV notice alongside any criminal citation, allows an attorney to identify which actions and deadlines apply and to coordinate the response across both proceedings.

Discuss a Denver Extreme DUI Charge with Landy Legal

Landy Legal offers free initial consultations for Denver extreme DUI matters. Josh Landy personally reviews the evidence and represents clients through criminal-court and DMV proceedings.

Reach out to us today or call Landy Legal at (720) 790-7110 to schedule your free consultation. Landy can personally review the charge and explain the next steps.