Logan County DUI Court Process

A DUI arrest in the Sterling area triggers two distinct legal tracks. The first is criminal. The second is administrative.

The administrative track is handled by the Colorado Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division under the state's Express Consent Law (C.R.S. § 42-2-126). This process governs your driving privilege and moves rapidly. You have seven days from the date of arrest to request a DMV hearing if you took a breath test, or seven days from the date you receive notice of a blood test result. Failure to request this hearing results in an automatic license suspension.

The criminal track proceeds through the state court system. This guide outlines the steps, timelines, and penalties associated with the criminal case.

Which Court Handles DUI Cases?

Misdemeanor traffic and criminal cases arising within this jurisdiction are routed through the local judicial system. The primary court facility handling these matters is the Combined Court building.

• Location: 110 N Riverview Rd, Sterling, CO 80751
• Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

While there is a historic courthouse located at 315 Main St, Sterling, CO 80751, active criminal and traffic dockets are processed and managed at the Riverview Road location.

To determine your specific appearance date and time, you can access the Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search. You will need your full name or case number to search the active schedule.

The Court Process Timeline

1. Arraignment (First Appearance)

The arraignment is your first formal appearance before a judge. This hearing is typically scheduled several weeks after your arrest, and the date is indicated on your summons or bond paperwork.

During the arraignment, the judge will read the formal charges filed against you by the 13th Judicial District Attorney's Office. The court will advise you of your constitutional rights, including the right to counsel. You will be asked to enter a preliminary plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

If you cannot afford private counsel, you may apply for a court-appointed public defender. The court will require you to fill out a financial disclosure form to determine if you meet the indigent criteria under state guidelines. If you do not qualify, you must retain private counsel or represent yourself.

2. Pre-Trial Hearings

If you enter a plea of not guilty at your arraignment, the court will schedule a pre-trial conference. This phase allows your defense attorney and the prosecuting attorney to exchange evidence.

Under Colorado Rule of Criminal Procedure 16, the prosecution must provide all discovery materials. This evidence includes:

• Police reports and officer notes
• Breathalyzer calibration logs and test results
• Blood test toxicology reports
• Dashcam or body-worn camera footage

During the pre-trial conference, the defense and prosecution discuss potential resolutions. The prosecutor may offer a plea bargain, such as pleading guilty to a lesser charge of Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) under C.R.S. § 42-4-1301(1)(b) in exchange for dismissing the DUI charge. This outcome depends on the specific facts of your case, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and your prior record.

3. Trial (If No Plea Deal)

If negotiations do not produce an agreement, your case will proceed to trial.

In Colorado, you have a constitutional right to a jury trial for a misdemeanor DUI. The jury consists of six citizens chosen from the local community. Alternatively, you may waive your right to a jury and request a bench trial, where the judge acts as the sole finder of fact and determines guilt.

To secure a conviction, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you drove a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

Common defense strategies include:

• Challenging the reasonable suspicion required for the initial traffic stop
• Challenging the administration and scoring of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs)
• Questioning the accuracy and maintenance records of the Intoxilyzer 9000 breath testing machine
• Challenging the chain of custody for blood samples

A standard misdemeanor DUI trial in this jurisdiction typically lasts one to two days.

Penalties for DUI in Colorado

Criminal penalties for driving under the influence are governed by C.R.S. § 42-4-1307. The severity of the sentence escalates based on the number of prior convictions on your record, regardless of where those convictions occurred.

First Offense

A first-time DUI conviction is a misdemeanor. The statutory penalties include:

• Jail: 5 days to 1 year. The mandatory minimum jail sentence may be suspended if you successfully complete probation. However, if your BAC was 0.20% or higher, a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 consecutive days in jail is required.
• Fines: $600 to $1,000, plus court costs and statutory surcharges.
• License Suspension: 9 months.
• Public Service: 48 to 96 hours of useful public service.
• Education: Mandatory enrollment in and completion of Level II Alcohol Education and Therapy.

Second Offense

A second DUI conviction carries strict mandatory minimum sentences that cannot be suspended by the judge.

• Jail: Mandatory minimum of 10 consecutive days, up to 1 year. If the second offense occurs within five years of the first, the mandatory minimum jail sentence must be served consecutively and cannot be served as work release.
• Fines: $600 to $1,500, plus court costs.
• License Suspension: 1 year.
• Public Service: 48 to 120 hours of useful public service.
• Ignition Interlock: Mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for a minimum of 2 years after reinstatement.
• Pretrial Conditions: Under C.R.S. § 16-4-105(6), repeat offenders face mandatory monitored sobriety (such as a SCRAM ankle monitor) as a condition of bond.

Third Offense

A third DUI conviction remains a misdemeanor in Colorado, but the penalties are severe.

• Jail: Mandatory minimum of 60 consecutive days, up to 1 year.
• Fines: $600 to $1,500, plus court costs.
• Probation: Mandatory 2 to 4 years of supervised probation.
• Public Service: 48 to 120 hours of useful public service.
• Treatment: Mandatory Level II Alcohol Education and Therapy.

A fourth or subsequent DUI offense is classified as a Class 4 felony, carrying potential state prison sentences.

Court Programs and Probation

The probation department for this jurisdiction operates out of the Combined Court building on Riverview Road. If you are sentenced to probation, you will be assigned a probation officer who will monitor your compliance with court orders.

This jurisdiction does not operate a specialized DUI drug court or diversion program for first-time offenders. Cases proceed through the standard criminal docket.

You will be required to complete Level II Alcohol Education and Therapy. These classes must be taken through state-certified providers. Local options for these services include licensed clinics in the Sterling area, such as Centennial Mental Health Center or Advantage Treatment Centers.

Useful public service hours must be completed at approved non-profit organizations or government entities. The probation department maintains a list of approved local sites and will monitor your hours.

What to Bring to Court

When attending a scheduled hearing, you must arrive prepared. Bring the following items:

• A valid government-issued photo identification card
• Your copy of the court summons or bond paperwork
• Proof of compliance with any pretrial bond conditions (such as sobriety monitoring logs)
• A pen and notebook to write down future court dates

The local courts enforce a strict dress code. You must dress in professional attire. The following items are prohibited in the courtroom:

• Hats, caps, or sunglasses
• Shorts, tank tops, crop tops, or halter tops
• Clothing displaying offensive language, drug references, or gang symbols
• Sandal-style footwear or flip-flops

All electronic devices, including cellular phones, must be completely turned off or silenced before you enter the courtroom.

Bail and Detention Center Release

If you are arrested, you will be transported to the local detention center located at 110 N Riverview Rd.

The booking and release process at this facility is subject to specific administrative delays. Standard bail for a first-offense DUI is typically set at $1,000.

Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 16-4-104(4)), the jail cannot release any individual arrested for DUI until they are clinically sober. Detention staff will require you to blow a 0.00% BAC before processing your release. Once sober, the administrative release process takes between two and six hours.

Browse licensed bail bondsmen serving Logan County in our bail bond directory.

Sources

• Colorado Judicial Branch - Combined Courts Location
• Colorado Judicial Branch - Docket Search
• Colorado DMV - Alcohol and Drug Education Treatment
• Colorado General Assembly - Colorado Drunk Driving Laws