Drivers License Issues and Traffic Offenses

The Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) in Colorado can revoke or suspend your privilege to drive in Colorado for many and varied of reasons. Some of those have nothing to do with the operation of a vehicle (Possessing Alcohol By a Minor, Failure to Pay Child Support, Conviction of a felony drug offense, etc.). In most cases, the determination of these issues is made by a Hearing Officer at an Administrative Hearing at the Colorado Department of Revenue. This process is distinct from, and very different than, a courtroom hearing before a judge.

In DUI cases, it is extremely important that you get sound legal advice immediately, even before you request an administrative hearing. Contacting an experienced lawyer such as the ones at Miller & Harrison, LLC is essential to the proper outcome of these matters.

In addition, many traffic violations can have driver’s license consequences as well as consequences in Court, such as fines or even jail time, in addition to the points imposed against your drivers license in Colorado.

In Colorado, for people over 21 years old, the law is that if they receive 12 or more points against their license in a 12 month time period (from date of offense to date of offense – not court date to court date), or 18 points within a 24 months time period, the persons license is suspended ion Colorado for up to one year. It may be possible to obtain a probationary (restricted) license in some circumstances. People under 21 have fewer points to lose than those over 21.

With some offenses, the most important things to watch out for is the ‘restitution’ order. For example, in “Careless Driving Resulting in Bodily Injury“ charges some people have been able to resolve the matter fairly easily as it is just a 4 point traffic ticket – but then they are presented with a ‘restitution’ bill for thousands of dollars since they admitted fault in the accident. They wish they had not been so quick to accept the prosecutors’ offer to settle the case.
It always makes sense to consult an experienced lawyer, such as those at Miller & Harrison, LLC, to be sure that there will be no surprises when you resolve your case.