Update on the Rockies Todd Helton DUI arrest Wednesday February 6, 2013. Denver’s 9News reports this morning that police records tell of a disheveled, camo clad, drunken 1st baseman for the Rockies, Todd Helton, at the Conoco at 12780 Colorado Boulevard in Thornton, Colorado. Adams County District Attorney has not yet filed formal charges.

Witnesses tell police that he was seen driving erratically, crossed oncoming traffic lane and hit the curb heading into the Conoco parking lot. Helton confessed to police he had consumed two cups of red wine. That’s double trouble for Colorado’s most beloved baseball player.

In Colorado it is against the law to drive a moving vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A DUI arrest can cause significant disruption to an individual’s life and in a celebrity’s case, unwanted media and harsh public scrutiny. Mr. Helton is looking at losing his driver’s license, possible fines and jail time if convicted of the DUI. The Rockies might be considering additional penalties for his lack of judgment.

Developing a strategy for representing an individual facing a DUI begins with the client’s statement and reviewing the file of the prosecuting attorney.

If a confession of alcohol or drug consumption has been made by the driver we look at the breathalyzer and hopefully, blood test. If you have been stopped for a DUI in Denver Colorado, stop talking! Chances are that you were asked to perform a road side sobriety test. Refusal to take the field sobriety tests is your option but your refusal to cooperate is admissible in court and the consequences of the refusal could result in the immediate loss of your driving privileges.

Blood alcohol (BAC) levels will establish the severity of impairment. Under Colorado law a person is presumed to be impaired if a series of tests are performed including a breath or blood test shows a blood alcohol level of:

• DWAI – Driving while ability impaired with a breath/blood alcohol/drug level of more than 0.05 but less than 0.08
• DWAID – Driving while ability impaired of drugs
• DUI – Driving Under the Influence with a breath/blood alcohol/drug level of at least 0.08
• DUI – Driving Under the Influence with a breath/blood alcohol/drug blood alcohol level of at least 0.17
• DUID – Driving under the influence of drugs.

In Todd Helton’s situation the defense strategy is about damage control. There was a reporting witness to the drunken and careless/reckless driving, obvious impairment and his admission of using alcohol prior to driving. A blood test would confirm if there was any medication still in his system.

This was supposed to be Todd’s last season at Coors Field before retirement. Public opinion and the Colorado Rockies Organization will handle the rest.

For more details:
Todd Helton on Wiki
Todd Helton Story on Denver Post
Todd Helton Story on 9News
More About DWI
Colorado Rockies Official Site