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Colorado Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Is it illegal to block a road? If so, then is it illegal to hit someone blocking the road? Does speed matter?

After seeing the footage of a lady in denver swerving to hit a protester, I wondered what kind of legal trouble that person could get into.

If I am driving on the highway at 65 MPH and someone leaps in front of my car, I would assume I wouldn't be charged with manslaughter. Does the... View More

Nelson Patrick Boyle
Nelson Patrick Boyle
answered on Jun 2, 2020

There's a "last clear chance" doctrine that says, basically, if you can avoid a crash or if you can avoid hitting the person, then it's illegal. The video you refer to involved a driver who appeared to purposely hit the person. If it can be proved in court that she did so on... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: I got a ticket near Denver, but I lost the paper ticket and don't know what court issued. How can I find it?

I got a ticket in Centennial, CO and I lost the paper ticket. I checked their online database and they don't have an citations for me. I have no idea what jurisdiction issued the ticket, I tried Douglas County Sheriff and Lone Tree and nothing. How can I find out who issued the ticket so I can... View More

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on May 20, 2020

If you were issued the ticket within the Centennial city limits (that can be determined by an online search for a map of the boundary lines of Centennial), then the ticket was filed either with the Arapahoe County Court or, more likely, if it was a minor traffic violation, the City of Centennial... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: I have 3 Court Clearance Required I know I missed court in Denver but idk about Aurora and Douglas? Any advice?Whattodo

Can it be unpaid fines? What’s the consequences of this and missing court for driving w no license i need help please I will hire an attorney I just need help

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Mar 8, 2020

Call the court clerk in the Aurora Municipal Court and the Douglas County Court and ask them for about the clearances you need. In the typical situation they are called an OJW fees.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: What should I expect for a careless driving summons?

I passed a car without using blinkers in downtown Denver. When I was pulled over, the officer said that I was in the 2nd lane, passed the car in front of me by using the 1st lane, and then merged right to the 3rd lane without blinkers. Shocked that this was incorrect, I said that I was actually... View More

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Feb 22, 2020

What you should expect depends on whether you want to fight the ticket in trial or plea bargain the case. If you decide to fight the ticket, you should have an attorney. The prosecutor will be an attorney and you will be at a disadvantage. The judge will expect you to follow the rules of procedure... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: I received a traffic ticket and the time on the citation is incorrect and I have proof I was Elsewhere at the time.
Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Jan 27, 2020

When you raise an alibi defense, you are claiming that it wasn't you who committed the offense because you were someplace other than the location of the offense charged. From your question it sounds like you are considering raising what would amount to an alibi defense. The problem in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: In Colorado, can I go go the DMV to get a state ID or drivers license without being arrested if I have a bench warrant

Failure to appear bench warrant.

No DUI

License not revoked

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Jan 21, 2020

I am aware from past cases that DMV may check a person for warrants. I can not say that they do it routinely. If they do find a warrant they will contact local law enforcement.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Got pulled over driving my brothers car without registration or insurance. Should I register and get insurance?

Should I buy insurance and registration before court?

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Jan 20, 2020

Your brother needs to register the car and get insurance for it. Proof of proper registration and current insurance is what you need to take to court and is what will help you the most.

It is doubtful that you could even register the car or obtain insurance for it since it does not belong to you.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: I was given a traffic ticket for a ticket I never had any officer contact with. Is this a legal ticket?
Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Jan 13, 2020

It is likely that the ticket is legal, but more information is needed about what happened before a helpful answer can be given.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: i received a speeding ticket in commerce city, co. the ticket was missing my physical information.

i got a 12pt speeding ticket now waiting for a court date by mail i received a motion to amend the missing information and it was granted what should i do next

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Jan 12, 2020

Now that the ticket has been corrected, it is like any other ticket. You go to court and see what sort of plea bargain the prosecutor will offer you. You can hire an attorney to represent you. Once you know what the prosecutor's final plea bargain offer is, you will need to make a decision -... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Mandatory court summons for speeding and I've moved out of state. How to resolve this without going to court?

I got a mandatory summons for doing 77 in a 55 zone in Commerce City, CO. I moved to CA state the week after this happened. I got my court date and I can afford to pay the fine but traveling to CO is a hassle and I cannot afford that. I don't have any other moving or non-moving violations. Is... View More

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Jan 11, 2020

You can hire an attorney to appear on your behalf. The attorney will ask the judge to waive your appearance.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, DUI / DWI and Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Chumped up charges and abuse of jurisdiction?

Can evidence be suppressed when cops find lrg capcty mag in a closed box doing invntry 2 tow?Following an at fault accident I wanted to go over to check the people in the car I hit, I was getting out of my truck but this guy is blocking my door "stay put budy, stay put". He wouldn't... View More

Mark Ryan Thiessen
Mark Ryan Thiessen
answered on Jan 6, 2020

They need a valid arrest to search the car. Once they arrest you, they can inventory the car to make sure they document everything in there to keep it safe. This is going to be a very fact intensive suppression issue.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: I live in Colorado and am attempting to resolve outstanding NJ traffic tickets. Can you help, or must I be present?

These tickets are 6-8 years old and all of a non-moving violation nature.

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Dec 23, 2019

Because the traffic tickets are out of New Jersey, you need to contact an attorney who practices in New Jersey, specifically in the jurisdiction where the tickets where issued. They will be familiar with the applicable court practice and procedure for taking care of old unresolved tickets. They... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Traffic Tickets and Car Accidents for Colorado on
Q: I was in an accident and received a citation for careless driving. What are my chances of pleading for a reduced charge?

I was riding my motorcycle and crashed into pickup truck in an intersection. I was given a mandatory court date at El Paso Combined Court for careless driving. I have a clean driving record up until this accident and was respectful and polite with the officer who issued the citation. I was the only... View More

Brian K. McHugh
Brian K. McHugh
answered on Nov 10, 2019

Most prosecutors will offer a point reduction based on the facts you describe - clean driving record, no injuries (I assume), your respectful attitude to the officer, etc. While there is no requirement that the prosecutor offer a traffic infraction plea bargain, that is commonly what happens.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Can an officer issue a citation without viewing the violation himself?

I rear-ended someone and was ticketed for following too closely.

William Jaksa
William Jaksa
answered on Oct 20, 2019

Unfortunately, yes. The officer can lay the charge based on a reasonable belief he's formed from his investigation. That investigation can include statements made by both drivers.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Speeding ticket with wrong registration address and possible non-protocol officer behavior.

I was ticketed for speeding on northbound CO 93 by a JeffCo sheriff’s deputy. My alleged speed was above the threshold requiring a court appearance. The officer berated me for having out of state plates when he found out I was on my way to work (I am an out of state college student) then... View More

Jonathan Greenlee
Jonathan Greenlee
answered on Jul 19, 2019

Opening the car door is a non-issue, as you only received a speeding ticket. Even if this was found to be an unlawful search, there is no evidence that could be suppressed related to your speeding charge.

If you are living in state but are an out of state student (paying out of state...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: Is it legal to pass car on interstate using shoulder if the driver in front slams on brakes to avoid collision?

I was driving on northbound I 25 in Denver, and I came upon this car in the left lane whom was driving under the speed limit and appeared to be texting. They kept drastically speeding up and then slowing down, so they might have also been under the influence. There was no way for me to pass on... View More

Jonathan Greenlee
Jonathan Greenlee
answered on Jul 1, 2019

If you only drove on the shoulder to avoid an accident, you should not receive a ticket. It is fairly common to see cars swerve into an open shoulder to avoid being rear-ended on I-25 in traffic that is sadly heavily populated by drivers like the one you described. If the other driver accelerated... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: I was in an accident in CO in 2018 from hitting a patch of ice. The officer gave me a ticket for careless driving.

I called several times to find out how much the ticket would cost and was told there wasn't a record on file under my name. I not only totaled my truck but also broke my neck. Moving back to CO, I received a ticket for speeding and was arrested for 1) not paying my ticket and 2) failing to... View More

Brian Michael Bradford
PREMIUM
Brian Michael Bradford
answered on Apr 10, 2019

Whether you should pay a ticket/fine or fight it, is a matter of personal preference taking into account factors like risk, cost, time, etc. Whether you have a case worth fighting depends on the facts of your situation, and the pros/cons and strengths/weaknesses of your options cannot be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: If a police officer has to beak the law to obtain evidence, is that evidence permissible in court?

I was cited for not coming to a complete stop at a flashing red light. The police officer was illegally parked in the middle of the street with no exterior lights on at 2am. There are signs advising of no parking, standing, or stopping directly in front of where the officer was parked. The closest... View More

John Kenneth Joyner
PREMIUM
John Kenneth Joyner
answered on Jan 17, 2019

A judge will likely base the decision to allow or disallow evidence of what the officer was doing on whether or not the evidence is relevant to your guilt or innocence. Unless the officer's actions affected your failure to stop, then you will have a hard time showing relevance.

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: I got a “engaged in speed contest” ticket in colorado, what are my rights?

the officer wrote the incorrect location of violation, and didn’t write down the speed i was going, or how he determined my speed

John Kenneth Joyner
PREMIUM
John Kenneth Joyner
answered on Dec 2, 2018

Driving over the speed limit can contribute to the officer citing you for a speed contest, but is not necessary. Speed contest is defined as follows:

(b) For purposes of this section, “speed contest” means the operation of one or more motor vehicles to conduct a race or a time trial,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets for Colorado on
Q: What is the penalty for displaying a fraudulent license plate tag. A summons to appear in court for statute 42-3-121 1b
John Kenneth Joyner
PREMIUM
John Kenneth Joyner
answered on Nov 2, 2018

A fictitious plates charge is a class 2 traffic misdemeanor and carries a minimum 10 days in jail and a minimum $150 fine, and a maximum of 90 days in the county jail and a maximum $300 fine.

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