This past Super Bowl weekend, many Colorado residents attended parties to cheer on their beloved Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, the weekend proved to be life changing in a negative way for both members of the Broncos team and 315 Colorado drivers. This number represents those drivers who were arrested by police officers throughout the state for suspicion of driving under the influence of either drugs or alcohol during Super Bowl weekend.

Of these 315 drivers, it's unclear how many were actually charged with DUI. Regardless, even a DUI arrest can be devastating to an individual and result in both personal and financial losses. For individuals facing criminal charges related to DUI, it's wise to consult with a legal professional who understands the law and who will advocate for an individual's rights.

According to Colorado's Department of Motor Vehicles, a DUI conviction in the state can result in an individual losing his or her driver’s license for nine months and facing up to one year in jail. Additionally, individuals charged with a first DUI may incur fines of up to $1,000 and be required to perform community service or attend special alcohol or drug education classes. The fines and penalties associated with subsequent DUI convictions are even greater and more burdensome.

Individuals facing a DUI conviction may feel scared, depressed and hopeless. An individual may fear how family members, friends and work colleagues will respond as well as whether they will get fired from their job. It's important to note, however, that there are a number of factors that can impact the outcome of a DUI case. A criminal defense attorney will comb through evidence in a DUI case to discover potential mistakes or unlawful actions committed by police officers or prosecutors. Additionally, there have been a number of cases in which police officers were found to have incorrectly administered breathalyzer tests or crime labs erred when analyzing evidence.

Source: Longmont Times-Call, "Colorado's Super Bowl Weekend: 315 DUI arrests," Feb. 11, 2014DMV.org, "DUI & DWI in Colorado," 2014