First Offense DUI Attorney in Lakewood
Over 90 Jury Trials. 15-Plus Years of DUI Defense. Fighting for You.
A first DUI arrest is, for most people, their first encounter with the criminal justice system. The uncertainty is immediate: Will you lose your license? How will this affect your job? What happens next? The decisions made in the days after an arrest can shape the outcome of both the DMV proceeding and the criminal case, which is why the quality of early legal counsel matters more than most people realize.
Landy Legal is led by Josh Landy, a former Colorado State Public Defender who conducted more than 90 jury trials over seven years and has spent more than 15 years focused on DUI defense and traffic matters across the Denver region. The firm handles first-offense DUI cases in Lakewood, Jefferson County, and Denver, and Josh Landy personally works every case from arraignment through trial. Clients receive direct communication with their attorney at every stage, not updates routed through support staff.
Contact Landy Legal online or call (720) 790-7110 to schedule a free consultation with Josh Landy.
The Immediate Concerns After a First DUI Arrest in Lakewood
A first DUI arrest triggers two separate legal proceedings, each with its own deadlines. Under Colorado’s Express Consent Law, a DUI arrest generates a notice of license revocation. You have seven days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing to challenge the suspension. Missing that window results in automatic suspension. State-law first-offense DUI charges from Lakewood are prosecuted by the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office and filed at Jefferson County Combined Court in Golden, not Lakewood Municipal Court, which handles city ordinance violations only.
Common concerns at this stage include loss of driving privileges, potential job impact, and uncertainty about what to expect at the first court appearance. Landy Legal addresses all of it directly: the firm manages DMV and court deadlines on the client’s behalf, explains each stage of the process clearly, and builds defense strategy around the client’s specific goals from the first conversation.
Josh Landy’s Credentials & Courtroom Experience
Josh Landy began his career as a Colorado State Public Defender, where he conducted more than 90 jury trials over seven years. His public defender practice covered DUI cases alongside serious felony matters, including assault, weapons offenses, and drug charges, giving him direct insight into how prosecutors evaluate evidence and construct their cases. He has spent more than 15 years focused on DUI and traffic violations across the Denver region and has led training seminars for criminal defense attorneys throughout Colorado.
Landy Legal has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: General Practice and White Collar (Denver, 2023 and 2024). When a client hires Landy Legal, Josh Landy personally handles the case at every stage. Nothing is delegated to support staff.
What to Expect After a First DUI Arrest in Lakewood
A first-offense DUI in Colorado is classified as a misdemeanor, but its consequences extend well beyond the courtroom. The case involves both a DMV proceeding and a separate criminal case, each with distinct deadlines and potential outcomes.
License Suspension & DMV Hearings
Colorado’s Express Consent Law requires drivers to submit to chemical testing after a DUI arrest. A notice of revocation follows the arrest, and the driver has seven days to request a hearing to contest the suspension. Failing to act within that window results in an automatic nine-month license suspension. Refusing chemical testing carries its own automatic suspension and may also be introduced as evidence in the criminal case.
Court Venue & Arraignment
State-law first-offense DUI charges from Lakewood are filed at Jefferson County Combined Court in Golden and prosecuted by the 1st Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The arraignment sets the foundation for everything that follows, which is why early attorney involvement matters from the start.
Penalties for a First Offense
A first-offense DUI conviction in Colorado can carry fines, court costs, mandatory alcohol education, probation, community service, and potential jail time. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.20 or higher triggers mandatory minimum jail time even on a first offense. Other aggravating factors can increase exposure further. A first-offense DUI conviction creates a permanent criminal record. The charge isn’t eligible to be sealed or expunged in Colorado.
Why Early Legal Involvement Changes Outcomes
Retaining a first offense DUI attorney in Lakewood immediately after arrest allows Landy Legal to meet critical deadlines, review police reports, body camera footage, field sobriety test administration, and chemical testing procedures, and identify leverage points before they close. The firm has a record of persuading law enforcement not to file charges and of achieving dismissals after charges are filed.
Personalized Defense Built Around Your Case, Not a Template
First-offense DUI cases can turn on details that a generic defense strategy misses: the legality of the initial traffic stop, how field sobriety tests were administered, and how breath or blood samples were handled. Jefferson County prosecutors pursue first-offense DUI cases aggressively. A thorough, case-specific defense isn’t a premium option. It’s what the situation requires.
Landy Legal’s approach to every first offense DUI case includes:
- Careful review of the circumstances leading to the arrest, including the legality of the traffic stop, field sobriety test administration, and officer procedures
- Identifying and challenging procedural or constitutional errors that may support suppression of evidence or reduction of charges
- Pursuing negotiation or dismissal when the facts support it
- Applying Josh Landy’s record of pre-charge intervention and post-charge dismissals to the client’s specific situation
Every client’s circumstances are different. Defense strategy reflects those specifics, not a one-size-fits-all approach carried over from another matter.
How Representation at Landy Legal Works
Landy Legal serves first offense DUI clients in Lakewood, Jefferson County, and Denver. Here is what to expect after reaching out:
- Free initial consultation: Speak directly with Josh Landy about the arrest, the charges, and your concerns. There is no cost or commitment required.
- Thorough case analysis: Landy Legal reviews police reports, test results, and all relevant documents to identify potential defenses and assess case strength.
- Deadline management: The firm tracks and manages all DMV and court deadlines on the client’s behalf so nothing is missed.
- Direct attorney access: All communication throughout the case is with Josh Landy. Clients get answers and updates from their attorney, not a paralegal or assistant.
Josh Landy advises clients on how to prepare for court appearances, what to bring to each meeting, and what to expect at each stage of the proceedings. The focus remains on the client’s specific situation from the first call through resolution.
Call (720) 790-7110 for a free, no-obligation consultation with Josh Landy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I Lose My License After a First DUI in Lakewood?
Not necessarily. The outcome depends on factors including your BAC level, whether you refused chemical testing, and your prior driving record. The seven-day window to request a DMV hearing is critical; missing it results in automatic suspension. Josh Landy can guide clients through the DMV process and work to protect driving privileges wherever the facts allow.
How Soon Should I Contact a DUI Attorney After My Arrest?
Immediately. The DMV hearing request deadline is seven days from the date of arrest, and early decisions in the criminal case carry real consequences. Landy Legal offers free consultations for Lakewood, Jefferson County, and Denver clients, so there’s no reason to wait.
Can Landy Legal Help Reduce or Dismiss My Charges?
The firm’s record includes persuading law enforcement not to file charges before a case begins and achieving dismissals after charges are filed. Whether those outcomes are available depends entirely on the facts of the specific case. A careful, case-specific defense built on a thorough review of the evidence can make a meaningful difference.
What Sets Landy Legal Apart From Other Lakewood DUI Lawyers?
Josh Landy handles every matter personally, from the initial consultation through trial. He brings more than 15 years of DUI and traffic defense experience across the Denver region, a record of more than 90 jury trials as a Colorado State Public Defender, and recognition by Best Lawyers in America® for Criminal Defense: General Practice and White Collar (Denver, 2023 and 2024). Clients work directly with their attorney at every stage.
How Much Will It Cost to Defend My DUI?
Cost depends on the complexity of the case and whether it proceeds to trial. Landy Legal offers a free initial consultation where Josh Landy discusses fees directly and honestly. The goal is clear, upfront communication about cost and options so clients can make informed decisions.
What Should I Bring to My Initial Consultation?
Bring any documents from the arrest: the citation, any revocation notice, and anything handed to you by law enforcement. If you’ve received letters from the DMV or Jefferson County Combined Court, bring those as well. It also helps to write down what you remember about the traffic stop and the testing process. Josh Landy can review everything with you and explain what matters most for your case.
Contact Landy Legal today for a free, confidential consultation with Josh Landy.
