Driving a car recklessly resulting in serious bodily injury to another person can result in a Vehicular Assault charge in El Paso County, Colorado. Police departments across the Front Range retrieve footage from cameras on an ongoing basis. These cameras show drivers operating vehicles in questionable ways. If they come across a car striking a person, then you can bet they’ll aggressively investigate the situation. Being caught up in this demands representation from an experienced vehicular assault lawyer.
Vehicular Assault Definitions | El Paso County
The law in Colorado Springs, Colorado defines Vehicular Assault C.R.S. 18-3-205 as:
“(1) (a) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle in a reckless manner, and this conduct is the proximate cause of serious bodily injury to another, such person commits vehicular assault.”
“(b) (l) If a person operates or drives a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or one or more drugs, or a combination of both alcohol and one or more drugs, and this conduct is the proximate cause of a serious bodily injury to another, such person commits vehicular assault. This is a strict liability crime.”
As a result, the charge of Vehicular Assault often coincides with Driving Under the Influence.
What Are the Consequences for Vehicular Assault in Colorado Springs?
A great deal of the punishment for Vehicular Assault comes down to whether or not alcohol was a factor.
Vehicular Assault Charge + Sober Driver = Class 5 Felony
Vehicular Assault Charge + Drunk Driver = Class 4 Felony
The difference between the class 5 and 4 felonies can be as much as 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Because of this, you need a skilled vehicular assault lawyer who is willing to fight for your freedoms.
Blood, Breath, or Urine Analysis in Vehicular Assault
If pulled over by a police officer who has cause for charging you with Vehicular Assault, you are also legally required to participate in a blood, breath, or urine test at a hospital or police station. Subsequently, a one year suspension of your driver’s license can apply should you refuse this analysis. Making matters worse, if you agree to the analysis but aren’t compliant with the person administering the test, it is considered a failure to submit to testing. Above all, facing this alone is simply unwise. We have decades of combined experience pursuing the best possible outcome for our clients. Certainly, aggressive representation from a highly rated vehicular assault lawyer is integral to your defense.
If you or someone you know is facing Vehicular Assault, Driving Under the Influence, or other charges in Colorado, call Sawyer Legal Group today at 303-265-1950. Together, we can protect your future.
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