Douglas County Express Consent Hearing Guide

Navigating the Douglas County DMV After a DUI Arrest: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've been arrested for DUI in Douglas County, Colorado, you're facing both criminal charges and a separate administrative process that can impact your driving privileges. Understanding the DMV's role and deadlines is critical. This guide provides specific information to help you navigate the administrative license proceedings in Douglas County.

The Immediate Aftermath: The "Notice of Revocation"

Upon arrest, the officer likely confiscated your driver's license and issued a "Notice of Revocation" – a yellow sheet that serves as a temporary driving permit for only 7 days. This document is your starting gun in a race against the clock.

Action: Within those 7 days, you must request an Express Consent Hearing to contest the revocation of your license. Missing this deadline results in automatic suspension.

Requesting Your Express Consent Hearing

You can request a hearing in writing at a Driver License Office, such as the Castle Rock Motor Vehicle office located at 301 Wilcox St, or online if eligible. This hearing is your opportunity to challenge the revocation of your license based on issues like whether the officer had probable cause for the stop or whether you were properly advised of your rights under Colorado's Express Consent Law.

Action: File your written request for an Express Consent Hearing immediately. Don't delay!

Understanding the Express Consent Law and Chemical Testing

Colorado's Express Consent Law mandates that drivers choose between a breath or blood test if probable cause for DUI exists. Refusal to submit to testing triggers immediate license revocation.

• Breath Test: Administered using the Intoxilyzer 9000, typically located at the detention facility or main police stations. Results are immediate.
• Blood Test: Requires a phlebotomist. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) provides toxicology testing. Blood tests are increasingly common, especially when officers suspect polydrug impairment (alcohol combined with cannabis or prescription medications).

Important: Even if you submitted to a test, you still have the right to challenge the validity of the test results at your Express Consent Hearing.

Preparing for Your Express Consent Hearing

Your Express Consent Hearing will be conducted by the Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Division (DMV). While you can represent yourself, consulting with an attorney experienced in Douglas County DUI cases is highly recommended. They can help you:

• Gather evidence to support your case.
• Cross-examine the arresting officer.
• Present legal arguments challenging the revocation.

Douglas County DUI Enforcement Tactics: Be Aware

Douglas County law enforcement actively targets impaired drivers through saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

• Saturation Patrols: Deputies focus on specific zones, looking for "pre-stop" indicators like weaving, wide turns, and failure to signal. Common target areas include:
• Lincoln Avenue Corridor (connecting I-25 to Parker)
• Highlands Ranch Parkway
• Plum Creek Parkway (accessing downtown Castle Rock)
• E-470 Toll Plaza Checkpoint: A signature tactic involves setting up sobriety checkpoints at the E-470 Toll Plaza A, typically operating from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on designated weekends.

Knowing these tactics can help you be more aware of your driving behavior and surroundings.

Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) in Douglas County

Douglas County officers are rigorously trained in the NHTSA battery of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs): Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn (WAT), and One Leg Stand (OLS). Body-worn camera footage of these tests is often used as primary evidence in court.

Important: Roadside conditions (slope, weather, lighting) in Douglas County's varied terrain can affect the validity of these tests. A skilled attorney can challenge the "grading" of these tests based on these factors.

Navigating Vehicle Impoundment: Westside Towing

If your vehicle was impounded after your DUI arrest, it's likely at Westside Towing, Inc., located at 1040 Atchison Court, Castle Rock, CO 80109. Their operational hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The facility is closed on weekends and federal holidays, which can lead to additional storage fees.

Action: Contact Westside Towing to determine the release requirements and fees. Be prepared to present valid government photo ID, proof of ownership (title or registration), and proof of valid insurance. If your license is revoked, you'll need a licensed driver to operate the vehicle.

Pretrial Supervision: Reporting to Community Justice Services

If released from jail, you may be placed on Pretrial Release Supervision managed by Community Justice Services (CJS). You must report to CJS (4000 Justice Way, Suite 1801) within 24 hours of release. Failure to report triggers an immediate arrest warrant.

Action: Report to CJS within 24 hours of release and be prepared to pay a $40 intake fee. Common conditions of pretrial supervision include sobriety monitoring (random UAs or SCRAM ankle monitors), no driving without a valid license and insurance, and travel restrictions.

Contact Information:

• Castle Rock Motor Vehicle: 301 Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO
• Douglas County Detention Facility (DCDF): 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, CO 80109. Phone: 303-660-7550 (Booking).
• Community Justice Services (CJS): 4000 Justice Way, Suite 1801, Castle Rock, CO
• Westside Towing, Inc.: 1040 Atchison Court, Castle Rock, CO 80109.
• Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO): 303-660-7500 (to inquire about Police Hold on vehicles)

Remember, the 7-day deadline to request an Express Consent Hearing is crucial. Start the process immediately to protect your driving privileges.