When you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror, your stomach drops because you know what’s about to happen. Getting pulled over means making the phone call that everyone dreads receiving. Explaining how you were driving home just a moment ago, but now you’re in handcuffs, can be disorienting. In Colorado, DUI arrests are common, and state data clearly shows the trend. The 2025 New Year’s Eve saw law enforcement make 207 DUI arrests, which is a number that’s hard to ignore.  

A DUI arrest is a jarring experience that lands people in unfamiliar territory without any input on what comes next. Colorado, particularly, does not take impaired driving lightly, and with the number of DUI arrests made every year, it is ideal to understand what happens after the arrest. If you’re ever caught in a similar situation, the single most important call you’ll likely make after the arrest is to a skilled DUI attorney in Colorado Springs. Speaking with an attorney early will help you make sound decisions. This post discusses the points your DUI attorney will focus on when you contact them.

What to Expect Right After You’re Taken Into Custody

After your DUI arrest, you’ll be taken to a police station or county jail for booking, and law enforcement will follow standard procedure to complete the formalities. Many people do not know what booking involves, so everything seems clinical and a bit scary. 

Key details to note:

  • Personal information (name, address, date of birth, etc.) is recorded in the system.
  • Fingerprints and photographs are taken.
  • A breath or blood test is administered to determine Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC). Note: This test is legally required; refusing it may have separate consequences.
  • All your belongings are collected and stored until your release.
  • A summons is issued with details about the charges and the first court date.

This process takes time, so being patient is essential. 

Will You Go Home or Stay in Custody?

You could be released on bail or held temporarily. 

  • First-time offenders without aggravating factors may be released on Own Recognizance (OR) or personal recognizance. In this case, no bail money is needed, but it involves agreeing to appear in court on the appointed date. 
  • If the BAC is high or the arrest is due to an accident, bail money will be needed. Past DUI convictions can also complicate matters further. Conditions may be attached to your release, such as mandatory check-ins with a pretrial officer, installation of an ignition interlocking device, restrictions on alcohol consumption, etc. 

Handling this situation without a DUI attorney can make everything more difficult. A qualified attorney can help reduce bail or secure release with fewer conditions. 

Facing Two Separate Cases

This comes as a shock to many, but a DUI arrest means dealing with two separate cases. Here’s what that looks like:

  1. The Criminal Case
  • DUI charges involve the court and a prosecutor, and jail time, fines, probation, community service, DUI education programs, and a criminal record, among others, are all possibilities.  
  • It starts with an arraignment, where the charges are read in court. A skilled lawyer filing your plea will always advise pleading “not guilty” at this stage. This helps you keep all your legal options intact. 
  • Next, pre-trial motions or hearings may be held, where your lawyer may challenge the traffic stop or contest the test results.
  • Your lawyer will likely resolve the case through plea negotiations. If that doesn’t happen, it’ll go to trial.
  1. The Administrative Case
  • This is a separate matter, where the DMV takes action to suspend your license. This could happen in just a few days after your arrest. 
  • In most cases, you have around 7 days to request a hearing to challenge the suspension. If you do not act quickly, you could lose your driving privileges. 
  • At this stage, your criminal case may not even be underway, and saving your license does not mean you’ve won that case. It just means you can continue to drive. 

Telling Your Side of the Story to Build a Defense

Your DUI attorney will help you build a strong case by ensuring your narrative doesn’t sound like an excuse. They will do the following (not an exhaustive list): 

  • Review the legality of the traffic stop
  • Analyze the arrest procedure and study police reports
  • Examine the testing device
  • Challenge the accuracy of the sobriety test

Your DUI attorney’s experience and insight can change the direction of your case. 

Final Thoughts

A DUI arrest can feel unmanageable, but the right legal guidance can make the legal process less complex, especially for first-time offenders. There’s a structure that every party associated with these cases follows. So, do not do this alone, and what you do in the first 24 hours after your arrest can protect your future.