Fort Collins Driving Under the Influence Attorney
School Bus Driver Arrested for DUI

A school bus driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs after it was reported she was driving the bus erratically. Read more here.

In Fort Collins and Larimer County, a person can be charged with Driving Under the Influence if it is determined they operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A school bus driver was arrested for DUI after she was reportedly driving the bus erratically. According to the report, the woman was all over the road and almost hit several cars. Luckily, she was on her way to pick up students and didn’t have anyone else in the bus when she was pulled over. The woman participated in the roadside tests and was deemed to be under the influence of drugs. She was arrested and has since bonded out.

Larimer County DUI Lawyer: Definition of Driving Under the Influence in Boulder County

The Larimer and Boulder County, Colorado law definition of Driving Under the Influence – C.R.S. 42-4-1301 (1)(a) – is:

(1)(a) A person who drives a motor vehicle or vehicle under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, commits driving under the influence. Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor, but it is a class 4 felony if the violation occurred after three or more prior convictions, arising out of separate and distinct criminal episodes, for DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI; vehicular homicide, as described in section 18-3-106 (1)(b), C.R.S.; vehicular assault, as described in section 18-3-205 (1)(b), C.R.S.; or any combination thereof.

Interestingly, the law has very specific outlines for what constitutes ‘impaired’ or ‘under the influence’ when it comes to alcohol, but much less specific when it comes to drugs. A BAC (blood alcohol content) of .05-.079 is charged as DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired). A BAC of .08 or higher is charged as DUI. If the blood is tested and results show 5 nanograms or more of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) then it is charged as a DUI. But that is the only specific level given related to drugs. It seems that any presence of a controlled substance (including ones that are legally prescribed) could get you charged with DUI.

If you or someone you love has been charged with DUI or Driving Under the Influence in Loveland, Fort Collins, or Estes Park, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash