If you are going in for an alcohol evaluation in Fort Collins or Larimer County, it is most likely because you have pled guilty or been convicted of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI). This evaluation is usually conducted by the probation department in the jurisdiction where you were charged (occasionally, the alcohol evaluation can be moved to a different county as a “courtesy evaluation”, or done by a private agency). Let’s look closer at this alcohol evaluation so you know what to expect.
DUI Attorney in Loveland: What Happens at an Alcohol Evaluation?
The Probation Department usually uses the Adult Substance Use and Driving Survey (ASUDS) questionnaire in order to test many different aspects of your use of alcohol. You will be asked many different questions. During this test they will score you on various subjects, such as:
- Prior Incidents of Impaired Driving
- Substance Abuse History
- Defensiveness
- Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) in the Current Case
- Demographics
- Current Usage
Larimer County DWAI Lawyer: How To Prepare for the ASUDS Test:
If you are participating in an alcohol evaluation, you have already been convicted of, or pled guilty to a DUI or DWAI. So, the time has passed to deny the charges against you. Don’t try to “game the system” or “pass” the evaluation. Obviously, I can’t tell you how to answer the specific questions you are asked, but I can advise you to tell the truth. If your BAC was .200, don’t say you had a “couple of beers” with your buddy. This doesn’t help your case. Also, don’t minimize what you have done. Let the person doing the evaluation see that you are humble and taking the conviction seriously. Another tip I have for you if you have been charged with a DUI in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park is to stop drinking immediately. I was in court today for a DWAI sentencing, and the judge was upset my client was still drinking – even though he was not yet ordered to stop. Stopping will show you are less of a risk, because you are able to abstain from alcohol. And finally, once you know you are going to plead guilty to a DUI, start receiving treatment and attending classes. Once you are sentenced, you will be required to attend, but starting early will demonstrate you are taking the charges seriously. Let’s recap this list of what to do to prepare for an alcohol evaluation:
- Tell the Truth
- Be Humble – Don’t Minimize your Offense
- Stop Drinking after You’ve Been Charged
- Begin Treatment Immediately
Why You Need an Experienced Fort Collins DUI Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a DUI or DWAI in Colorado, the best thing you can do to protect your future is to contact an experienced DUI / DWAI lawyer immediately. This is because an experienced lawyer will be able to look at your case and determine whether or not the police officer had probable cause to arrest you for a DUI in the first place. We have over 25 years of experience fighting DUI charges, and we know the law and what courts expect. One of our skilled lawyers will be able to advise you about the best option for protecting your future – whether it be pleading guilty and beginning treatment, or fighting the charges against you.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a DUI and is about to participate in an alcohol evaluation, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office for a free consultation at 970-658-0007. Together, we can protect your future.
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