Colorado Traffic Tickets Questions & Answers
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 appear... Read more »
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... Read more »
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... Read more »
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.
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
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,... Read more »
Q: What is the penalty for displaying a fraudulent license plate tag. A summons to appear in court for statute 42-3-121 1b
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.
Q: If I forget to pay a traffic ticket, can I go to jail?
If you miss a mandatory court date, the court can and likely will issue a bench warrant. If you fail to pay a non-mandatory court citation by the due date, they will likely issue a default judgment against you and can hold you in contempt if you fail to pay by a certain time. Your best bet is to... Read more »
Q: Me and my coworkers were having a discussion about what to do in this situation, we all work as concrete truck drivers.
The situation is, we arrived at the job, there was no room for more then one truck to pull onto the property, the house is right on the highway, it's a 2 lane road with NO shoulder, do we park in the lane or do we unsafely pull sideways on a large grade, trucks weigh 58,000 lbs, would that be... Read more »
Find a nearby area where you can pulloff and wait. It'd be ok to wait with flashers on if you were going to offload in a couple of minutes--if you are sitting there longer the law would say, couldn't you sit somewhere else?
Q: Driving without a Valid Driver's License in Colorado
I was recently pulled over for speeding, in Colorado (I live in MO), and discovered I was driving without a valid DL. My license was suspended for points a few months ago. The suspension period has been over for some time but I was not aware I had to pay a reinstatement fee and file an SR-22... Read more »
If you reinstate your driving privilege prior to your court appearance, you will likely be offered a 0 point violation with a minimum fine and no further repercussions.
Q: I was the victim of an auto accident where my car was struck by another driver. Question involves careless driving.
The police officer who arrived filled out an accident report where he cited the other driver for careless driving, but no summons was issued. Since no summons was issued was the other driver given an actual citation for careless driving, and if so, what penalty would have that driver suffered?... Read more »
Penalty is usually points, fine. If you were hurt you need to contact a member of the Colo. Assn for Justice--they give free consults.
As far as your claim, the fact the officer felt the other driver was careless (which in citation language means more than inadvertent) will be significant... Read more »
Q: if you have an accident and no police are called and both parties exchange information can a ticket be issued?
Both parties exchanged info and spoke both agreeed not to call police and let insurance handle it.
As long as your insurance doesn't require you notify police--but one or the other or both may.
Q: If I was cited at the crash, if I go to court can I win the case or will it cost me more to fight the ticket?
unsafe passing on right, work truck turned from left lane to go into private driveway and hit me I was in the right lane.
Plead not guilty and fight it. If you were hurt you may have a cliam--contact a member of the Colorado Assn for Justice--they give free consults.
Q: Who's fault is it if a bicyclist is hit going against traffic on the sidewalk at high speeds crossing a enrtyway?
I just hit (bumped) a bicyclist who was crossing the entry way going against traffic downhill at high speeds. He popped out in front of my car before I even knew he was there. He was fine, a scraped knee, no bike damage and was just about to head home after I checked on him, until a busy body... Read more »
I sympathize with you because you wouldn't normally be looking for somebody coming against traffic and at a high rate of speed on the sidewalk. I'd say the bicyclist was at least part at fault, but that doesn't mean somebody couldn't conclude you were also at fault. I'm not expert on traffic... Read more »
Q: Looking For Advice On A Non-Contact Accident I Was In. I Also Was Driving Under A Suspended Licence.
I Was Involved In A Non- Contact Accident Involving A Mortcycle. And On Top Of That I Was Driving Under A Suspended Licence. It Was About 8:30 At Night When I Was Approaching A Roundabout Intersection And I Faild To Yield Because I Didnt See Anybody Approaching. My Windows Are A Little Tinted And... Read more »
It's worth your getting an attorney, because no matter how creative I or any defense counsel can be about the accident, you were in the seat when you had a suspension. This generally --even without crashes--suggests to the judge that he needs to use a 2x4 to get the point across. So you are looking... Read more »
Q: Insurance is asking for more than what accident is worth, what should I do?
I got into an accident in Sept. 2016, it was my fault. There was a white mini-van in front of me (1996 cadillac deville) on a right turn (with it's own turning lane) out of a shopping center that was going for it, and suddenly slammed on the breaks. I let go of my breaks, so I slowly rolled into... Read more »
Based on your question I assume that you do not have insurance (which is required...). If you do have insurance, the valuation is something that your insurance company handles. If you do not have insurance, you can request documentation related to valuation. There might be something that can be... Read more »
Q: I was pulled over Friday at 6:15 a.m. in Pueblo County. The state patrol pulled over 4 cars all at once.
I was the 2nd car. I received an illegal pass an speeding in a construction zone. Can I fight the speeding ticket as I wasn't the car clocked?
You can always challenge any ticket. Whether you can present sufficient evidence to overturn the ticket is a wholly different matter... Note, the an officer can legally estimate your speed based on more than just a radar gun reading.
Q: Laws in Colorado relating to underglow lights on a car. Please no links, I would like to hear from a person.
Why not pay for a consultation if you don't want links. You want someone to write an essay on underglow lights as to what? Why not tell us what you want? Better yet, talk to DMV about your issue.
Q: I was recently cited in Colorado for driving while my license is suspended. What should I do? A Court date has been set
You can contact (and likely hire) an attorney to review your options. Justia's Q&A cannot provide legal advice or recommendations.
Q: Colorado has a hold on my drivers license for a 4 yr old camera ticket, what can be done?
Tried to get a duplicate ID, as mine was destroyed, and found out there was a hold on my license from CO. Called and apparently I was issued a camera ticket 4 years ago. No letter was ever received, nothing. What can be done about this.
Your options are: pay the ticket or challenge the ticket in court.
Q: I received a vehicle violation fine in the mail from a remote camera from Colorado. Do I have to pay it?
Does the state of Texas protect me from these out of state, camera related traffic practices?
Yes.
Q: Can a tow company charge you to recover your belongings out of the car that was repossessed?
I've read all over the Internet that they cannot do that but nothing states whether or not that is true in Colorado I would like to know before I go and try to resolve it.
No, you cannot be charged for retrieving personal property from a repo-ed vehicle. The items cannot be removed or collected (up to a time limit of presumed abandonment). If it is a problem, send a certified letter requesting the materials back. If this fails, contact the state AG's office.
Q: I got 2 speeding tickets from Iowa in the past. I moved to Colorado, does my record start over or does it follow?
They are paid and from a while ago but hasn't been long enough for them to be off my Iowa record yet.
Yes and no. Colorado, like most states, only tracks current traffic infractions for instate violations for current state license holders. However, if you are required to provide your driving record, most places request a record for a period of years (usually 4-6 years). As a result, you will likely... Read more »
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