If you don’t know your rights, even minor traffic offenses can cause big disruptions in your life. Partnering with a skilled defense attorney will ensure that small traffic issues don’t snowball into major problems.

Charged with a Traffic Offense in Colorado? Protect Your Rights

In Colorado, traffic violations can bring consequences far beyond just getting a ticket and paying a fine. Especially when it comes to the suspension point system, losing your license will dramatically disrupt your life.

Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. provides premier criminal defense services for traffic offenses in the Denver, Broomfield, Longmont, and Loveland areas.

How Serious are Traffic Charges in Colorado?

All criminal charges should be taken seriously, but the severity of a traffic charge depends on the incident in question. Lower offenses include minor violations like running a stop sign. On the other end of the spectrum, serious crimes like vehicular homicide are charged as felonies.

Since the open road is an unpredictable environment, there are many ways that people can get into trouble. As such, the state of Colorado devised a complex ranking system that accounts for minor infractions all the way to serious crimes.

If you are unsure about the severity of your traffic charges, you’re well advised to work with a Colorado defense attorney.

Common Traffic Offenses Handled By Our Legal Team

Jorgensen, Brownell & Pepin, P.C. is experienced working with a wide range of traffic cases. Common traffic offenses we deal with include, but aren’t limited to:

• Repeat offenders
• DUI & DWAI
• Careless driving
• Reckless driving
• Hit and run
• Driving under revocation

While minor traffic infractions like speeding tickets don’t generally require legal guidance, more serious offenses like reckless driving should always be handled under the care and expertise of a lawyer.

How are Traffic Offenses Classified in Colorado?

Due to the complexity of traffic-related crimes, the state of Colorado uses several subcategories to classify traffic offenses.

The tables below highlight potential fines and jail time that come with traffic crimes in Colorado. Please note, traffic crimes like speeding also add suspension points to your driving record. As is often seen with Colorado law, repeat offenders generally face harsher consequences for traffic offenses.

Traffic Infractions

Traffic infractions are the lowest level of traffic offenses in Colorado. They are civil offenses that usually include fines and points on your license, but don’t come with the risk of jail time.

Certain traffic infractions - especially repeat offenses - in Colorado also result in court-ordered driving classes and license suspensions.

Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses

More serious traffic offenses in Colorado are considered crimes and classified as misdemeanors. Colorado uses a unique classification system for traffic misdemeanors to keep them separate from normal misdemeanors.

In many cases, individuals convicted of Class 1-2 traffic misdemeanors are also required to participate in community service and pay restitution.

DUI & DWAI Charges

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) charges in Colorado aren't technically classified as traffic offenses. Rather, they are considered traditional misdemeanors.

DUI sentencing includes a likely license suspension, community service hours, fines, possible MADD panel, drug and/or alcohol evaluation and treatment, jail time, and probation.

Various factors can affect sentencing. For example, for a first DWAI there is a mandatory minimum of 2 days in jail, but it can be suspended upon successful completion of probation with drugs and/or alcohol treatment.

Due to the complexity of DUI and DWAI sentencing in Colorado, you are well advised to work with a skilled criminal defense attorney on these cases. For additional info, you can also refer to this pamphlet from the Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services: Colorado Law Summary: Colorado Drunk Driving Laws.

Stay Ahead of Traffic Charges: Contact Our Team Today!

When it comes to traffic charges in Colorado, even minor offenses can snowball into serious consequences. Whether it's a serious first offense like a DUI or a poor driving record that results in a suspension, sound legal guidance is essential.

We are your community legal advocates for life’s most challenging moments.