In an effort to reduce alcohol-related accidents over the Labor Day holiday weekend, Colorado authorities are launching an anti-drunk-driving campaign called The Heat Is On. As part of the campaign, the Colorado Department of Transportation is offering BACtrack breathalyzers to the public at a 50% discount. Drivers can use the portable devices to measure their blood alcohol content levels before they get behind the wheel of a car.
When is theft a felony?
An arrest and criminal charges are overwhelming life experiences. They can cause fear, anxiety, regret and even confusion. The law is hard to comprehend, making it also difficult to understand charges and possible penalties and to come up with an appropriate defense.
Police tunnel vision can lead to wrongful convictions
When a crime attracts a significant amount of media attention in Colorado and around the country, the detectives assigned to investigate it are often put under great pressure to make a quick arrest. Two criminologists from Texas State University say that this desire to close cases quickly can lead to investigators becoming fixated on a prime suspect to the point where they coerce confessions and ignore exculpatory evidence. They arrived at this conclusion after analyzing the case files of 50 innocent individuals who were convicted of serious crimes.
When a DUI becomes a felony
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol may lead to serious consequences. In Colorado, the courts do not look kindly upon offenders who continue to drive while impaired.
Traffic stops and marijuana intoxication
In Colorado and other states where medicinal or recreational marijuana has been legalized, police officers are changing the way they conduct traffic stops where they suspect impaired driving. They plan to perform a variety of tests that help prove a driver is intoxicated with THC since it is tough to prove with just a blood test. They may record information related to driving behavior, smell, dilated pupils, and the presence of marijuana paraphernalia.
