What "Call Your Mother" Does in Boulder

Call Your Mother is a Boulder County program that lets you call a family member or trusted contact instead of being taken directly to jail after a DUI arrest. The officer will transport you to the Boulder County Jail, but before booking you into a cell, staff will allow you to make a phone call to arrange a ride home. If someone arrives to pick you up within a set window — typically a few hours — you can be released on your own recognizance (meaning without posting bail) rather than spending the night in custody.

The program is not automatic. The arresting officer and jail staff have discretion to offer it, and it depends partly on your behavior during the arrest and your criminal history. It also requires that someone actually answer the phone and be willing to come get you. If no one shows up, or if you cannot reach anyone, you will be booked into the jail as usual.

This matters because avoiding an overnight jail stay can reduce the when ready disruption to your work, family, and housing — though it does not change the fact that you will face DUI charges and will need to appear in court.

Key Takeaways

  • Call Your Mother lets you phone a family member or contact from the jail to arrange a ride home instead of being booked into a cell.
  • Release under the program is not may provide and depends on officer discretion, your arrest conduct, and whether someone actually picks you up within the allowed time.
  • Using the program does not reduce DUI charges or court obligations — it only affects whether you spend the arrest night in custody.
  • You must have a working phone number for someone willing and able to reach the jail within a few hours of your arrest.

Who Can Use Call Your Mother

The program is open to people arrested for DUI in Boulder County, but jail staff will not offer it to everyone. If you have a history of failing to appear in court, a violent criminal record, or if you were combative or dangerous during the arrest, staff are unlikely to allow the call. Similarly, if you are arrested on other charges in addition to DUI — such as assault or drug possession — the program may not be available.

First-time DUI arrestees with no other charges and cooperative behavior during arrest are the most likely candidates. However, even then, the decision rests with the jail staff processing your intake, not with you or your attorney.

How the Call and Release Process Works

After arrest, you will be transported to the Boulder County Jail. During intake, before you are placed in a holding cell, staff will inform you of the Call Your Mother option if they believe you are a suitable candidate. You will be allowed to make a phone call to a family member, friend, or other contact.

That person must be able to drive to the jail and pick you up. They will need to provide a valid driver's license and sign paperwork confirming they are responsible for your appearance at your next court date. The jail will typically give a window of two to four hours for pickup; if no one arrives by then, you will be booked into a cell.

Once your ride arrives and completes the paperwork, you will be released. You will receive a citation or summons with your court date and any bail conditions. You are not free of the DUI case — you still must appear in court and face the charges.

What Happens If No One Can Pick You Up

If you cannot reach anyone, or if the person you call cannot arrive within the allowed time, you will be booked into the Boulder County Jail as a regular DUI arrest. You will remain in custody until you see a judge for a bail hearing, which usually happens within 24 hours. At that hearing, the judge will set bail or release conditions based on factors like your criminal history, ties to the community, and the severity of the DUI charge.

Having a bail hearing does not mean you will be released — the judge may set a high bail amount or impose strict conditions. Call Your Mother avoids this uncertainty by getting you out before booking, but only if someone is available to pick you up quickly.

How This Affects Your DUI Case

Using Call Your Mother is a practical tool for avoiding an overnight jail stay, but it does not change your legal situation. You will still face DUI charges, still be required to appear in court, and still need an attorney to defend those charges. The program does not reduce penalties, dismiss charges, or count as a favorable factor in sentencing.

What it does affect is your when ready circumstances: you avoid the cost and disruption of jail time, you can arrange childcare or notify your employer more quickly, and you may be in a better mental state for your first court appearance. From a legal strategy standpoint, your attorney may want to know whether you used the program, because it shows cooperation and can be part of a broader picture of your conduct, but the program itself is neutral in the eyes of the court.

Important Limitations and What to Know

Call Your Mother is not a right — it is a discretionary program. The jail staff can refuse to offer it at any point, and there is no formal appeal process if they decline. You cannot demand the call or insist on using the program.

Additionally, the person who picks you up becomes responsible for ensuring you appear at your next court date. If you fail to show up, that person may face legal consequences. Make sure whoever you call understands this commitment before they agree to pick you up.

Finally, using the program does not mean you avoid bail or bond requirements. You may still be ordered to post bail, wear a monitoring device, or comply with other conditions of release. The program only affects the when ready arrest night, not the full scope of your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Call Your Mother if I have a prior DUI?

It depends on the circumstances. A single prior DUI does not automatically disqualify you, but multiple priors or a history of failing to appear in court will make the jail staff less likely to offer the program. The decision is made on a case-by-case basis during intake.

What if the person picking me up does not have a valid driver's license?

They will not be able to complete the release. The jail requires a valid driver's license from the person signing the paperwork. If your first choice cannot provide one, you can try calling someone else, but the time window is limited.

Does using Call Your Mother mean I do not have to post bail?

Not necessarily. You may still be ordered to post bail or comply with other release conditions at your first court appearance. Call Your Mother only affects whether you spend the arrest night in jail — it does not eliminate bail requirements or other court-ordered conditions.

What should I tell the person I call before they pick me up?

Tell them you have been arrested for DUI, that you need a ride from the Boulder County Jail, and that they will need to bring a valid driver's license and sign paperwork. Also explain that they are agreeing to be responsible for your court appearance. Make sure they understand the commitment before they agree.

If I use Call Your Mother, do I still need a DUI attorney?

Yes. The program only affects your when ready release from custody. You will still face DUI charges and must appear in court. An attorney can help you understand the charges, negotiate with the prosecutor, and defend your case in court.