Over 25 Years of Experience Defending
Persons Accused of Wrongdoing Throughout Colorado
Our Firm is dedicated to defending persons accused of drunk driving charges. DUI cases can be staggering in their complexity, raising a variety of serious and highly technical Constitutional Law issues. In order to effectively handle DUI cases, a lawyer must have a solid background in anatomy, biology, chemistry, physiology, and toxicology, and an intimate understanding of the function and operation of the various testing instruments and procedures used by hospitals and laboratories in measuring alcohol and/or other drugs in the human body.
As skilled Colorado Springs DUI Defense Attorneys, we can provide you with the effective defense you need. We are dedicated to the fight for justice and fair treatment for all those in the Colorado Springs area and throughout Colorado accused of the following types of drunk driving offenses:
-
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI)
-
Misdemeanor
- 1st Offense
- Repeat Offenses
-
Misdemeanor
-
Felony
- Serious Repeat Offender
- Accident with serious injury or death
- DUI Manslaughter
- DUI Murder
- DMV Hearings (DUI) and General Violations
- DUI with a child passenger
- Hit and Run Driving
- Reckless Driving
- Contests of Speed
- Driving on a Suspended License
- Other Traffic Crimes
-
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or other state licensing agency Suspension/Revocation Hearings
- DUI Conviction
- Chemical Test Refual
- Medical or Drug Suspension
- Negligent Operator (too many tickets) Suspension
Even for a first offense, the penalties for a DUI can include license suspension, substantial fines, mandatory attendance at a state approved alcohol program, time in jail and spectacular increases in insurance rates. A conviction can jeopardize employment and personal credit, and it can seriously strain personal relationships. There’s just too much at stake in a DUI case to take chances with a lawyer who lacks experience and expertise in this challenging field. You need an aggressive and talented DUI lawyer who will fight for your rights.
As skilled Colorado Springs DUI Defense Attorneys, we treat each client with respect, dignity and a sincere concern for their situation. We work hard to achieve the best results on every case, whether the charge involves drunk driving or other criminal charges. Clients receive as much time and attention as needed so that they have a clear understanding of the case against them, our strategy to succeed and our ongoing progress. Many times the emotional stress is greater than the possible punishment and our entire office is here to help give you peace of mind and answer all of your questions. We strive to give you a sense of comfort and well-being.
You need to get immediate legal representation as to any accusation. When facing drunk driving charges in Colorado, you may be scheduled for both an administrative hearing and a court appearance. Don't wait until after these first hearings to obtain representation. There are many things that we can do to help prior to your initial appearances.
Call Daniel, Thom & Katzman, P.C. today at 866-435-2789, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free consultation.
Driving with a Suspended License:
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is usually charged as a serious misdemeanor punishable by substantial fines and up to a year in jail. Under some circumstances, as where someone is killed or injured in an accident caused by a driver whose license is suspended or revoked, the offense can be charged as a felony, with a high fine and a possible state prison sentence. Fines and jail sentences are typically heaviest in cases where the license suspension or revocation resulted from a traffic offense involving alcohol and/or drugs.
Reckless Driving:
Reckless driving is operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others or the property of others. It generally involves drastic misconduct on the road, such as driving on the wrong side of the road or driving at dangerously high speeds. It is generally charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine and a local jail sentence. It sometimes results in a driver's license suspension or revocation, and it very often results in the cancellation of insurance. Automobile insurance companies know that people who drive “recklessly” are more likely than others to get in traffic accidents. Also, “reckless driving” convictions are commonly seen as part of a plea bargain in which an initial DUI charge is “reduced” to reckless driving.
Hit and Run Driving:
Hit and Run Driving is a serious offense that involves leaving the scene of an accident without first stopping and identifying oneself to the other driver or drivers. It is, at minimum, a serious misdemeanor punishable by jail time and a high fine. If someone is injured or killed in the accident, hit and run driving is charged as a felony that can result in a state prison sentence. In either case the charge has nothing to do with who was at fault in the accident. Apart from the other penalties, hit and run driving can result in long-term driver's license suspension or, in some cases, actual license revocation.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Prescription Medications:
Most people know that it is illegal to drive under the influence of illegal drugs, but many believe they can avoid a conviction for DUI by producing a prescription for the drug in question. This is not true. A DUI (drugs) charge has nothing to do with whether or not possession of the drug was lawful. The legal issue in any DUI case is whether, as the result of "impairment," the driver has lost the ability to drive safely. It is just as unlawful to drive under the influence of a properly prescribed medication as it is to drive after drinking too much alcohol.
Contests of Speed (Drag Racing):
In most states, engaging in contests of speed (racing) is a serious misdemeanor punishable by local jail time and a fine. It can also trigger license suspension or revocation by the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state licensing agency. It is also fairly certain to result in cancellation of automobile insurance. Repeat offenders usually face escalating penalties including felony prosecution in aggravated circumstances.
Other Traffic Crimes:
Every state has its own set of laws governing the operation of motor vehicles on public streets and highways. Most of these laws classify violations as infractions - relatively minor offenses for which a fine is the only penalty. One cannot be given a jail sentence for an infraction. It can be very important to fight infraction prosecutions in some situations. Many states have “point” systems to track individual driving records and the accumulation of too many points can have serious consequences, ranging from license suspension to revocation. Automobile insurance carriers often cancel the policies of drivers with too many “points.” The decision whether or not to fight an infraction ticket is one that should receive very careful consideration.
Administrative License Suspension Hearings:
Most states provide for administrative driver's license suspension in certain circumstances, but in every case the driver is entitled to a hearing in which the suspension can be contested. If a hearing is not requested within the time provided by law the right to a hearing is waived, and the suspension goes into effect automatically. In some cases the time for requesting a hearing is very short, and the scope of the hearing is usually very narrow and highly technical, from a legal standpoint. Self-representation at a suspension hearing is rarely successful. The different types of administrative suspension include:
-
Medical/Drug Suspension
Some medical conditions require administrative driver's license suspension. These include certain diseases involving seizures, blackouts, fainting spells, serious physical coordination problems, some mental disorders and loss of vision. The defense to this type of suspension usually involves the submission of written reports from health care providers and other experts. -
Negligent Driver Suspension
This involves situations in which a driver has accumulated too many “points” for traffic tickets or has been involved in an unusually high number of accidents. -
Drunk Driving Suspension Based on BAC
If a defendant’s chemical test shows a BAC of .08% or more most states impose a 30 to 90 day suspension. This varies from state to state and may be longer than that. At the hearing, skilled counsel may attack the probable cause for the defendant’s detention and arrest and/or the validity of the chemical test. -
Drunk Driving Suspension Based on Test Refusal
Where the defendant refuses to submit to a chemical test most states provide for a license suspension ranging from six months to a year, but in at least one state the term is three years. The refusal suspension is not affected by the outcome of a DUI trial. If there is a refusal suspension it remains in place even if the defendant is adjudged “not guilty.” At the hearing, skilled counsel may attack the probable cause for the defendant’s detention and arrest and/or the validity of the chemical test.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI):
A DUI occurs when someone is operating, or is in actual physical control, of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substance, to the extent that their mental faculties are impaired and/or their blood alcohol content (BAC) is above the legal limit. Even for a first offense, penalties can include license suspension, substantial fines, community service, mandatory attendance at a state or DMV approved alcohol program, mandatory overnight incarceration and the required installation (at the offender's expense) of a car ignition locking device. In addition, it typically results in higher insurance premiums and an offender may become ineligible for credit.
Driving Under the Influence – Manslaughter:
Manslaughter is the criminal charge for unlawfully killing someone without actually intending to do so. When someone is driving while intoxicated and causes an accident in which someone is killed, the driver may be charged with manslaughter.
Driving Under the Influence – Murder:
Murder is the criminal charge for unlawfully killing someone, either deliberately and intentionally or recklessly with extreme disregard for human life. In some states, when someone is driving while intoxicated and causes an accident in which someone is killed the driver may be charged with murder if the circumstances are particularly aggravated.
DUI With Prior Convictions:
In all 50 states, repeat DUI offenders face progressively stiffer penalties. In some states, the third or fourth offense may be charged as a felony and, upon a conviction, result in a multi-year state prison term. The elements of the offense are the same, whether or not there are prior convictions.
If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Colorado Springs DUI Defense Attorney, call Daniel, Thom & Katzman, P.C. today at 866-435-2789.
Office Locations
|
Colorado Springs Location: |
View Larger Map |
|
Denver Location:
1901 W. Littleton Blvd. Littleton, CO 80120 Telephone: 866-435-2789 |
View Larger Map |
Norm Thom and Bobby Daniel are former Colorado State Public Defenders. Norm Thom was in charge of the public defenders office for the 4th Judicial District. He has worked for over 32 years defending thousands of individuals in Colorado. Bobby Lane Daniel worked with Norm Thom at the public defenders office and they founded Daniel, Thom & Katzman, P.C. in 1986. Bobby has been defending people for over 27 years.
Before joining Daniel, Thom & Katzman, P.C., Steven Katzman ran his own law practice in the Denver area since 1978. He is an experienced and caring trial lawyer who has been representing people accused of Criminal, DUI, and Traffic offenses for over 28 years.
Daniel, Thom & Katzman, P.C. offers the advantage of having Norm and Steve work together on each case. This gives each client the benefit of all the combined knowledge, experience and relationships we've developed over the years. Bobby Lane Daniel will be with the firm, Of Counsel. We provide our clients with the personal service of meeting with them as often as they desire. We also have associations with many lawyers throughout Colorado whom we can call upon, at no additional cost to our clients.
MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:
Bobby Lane Daniel
Bobby was born in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised in Toledo, Ohio and Waynesboro, Tennessee. He graduated with honors from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Human Behavior in 1977. He graduated with high honors (magna cum laude) from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1980. Bobby was employed by the Colorado State Public Defender's office from 1980 to 1983. He has been in the private practice of law for the past 18 years. Bobby has always been dedicated to assisting those accused of wrongdoing.
PRACTICE AREAS:
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- DUI/Traffic Offenses
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- Colorado, 1980
- Federal District Court for the District of Colorado, 1980
MEMBERSHIPS:
- Colorado Bar Association
- El Paso County Bar Association
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
- Colorado Springs DUI Defense Bar
- American Bar Association
Norman Richard Thom
Norm was born in Pensacola, Florida. His father was a Naval officer and the family traveled extensively. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Colorado Law School in 1975. He worked for the Colorado State Public Defenders office for five years and was in charge of the 4th Judicial District office before entering private practice in 1981. Norm and Bobby formed Daniel & Thom, P.C. in 1986.
PRACTICE AREAS:
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- DUI/Traffic Offenses
BAR ADMISSIONS:
- Colorado, 1975
- Federal District Court for the District of Colorado, 1975
MEMBERSHIPS:
- Colorado Bar Association
- El Paso County Bar Association, past trustee
- The Resource Exchange Community Center, board of directors
- Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
- Colorado Springs DUI Defense Bar
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Ben Wendelken Inn of Court