man in a car getting a traffic ticket

Traffic Ticket Lawyer

Did you recently receive a ticket for speeding, reckless driving, or driving under the influence (DUI)?  Whether you are charged with a minor infraction or a serious violation, a traffic ticket lawyer at The Dadvocates can help. If you received a traffic ticket in the Denver Metro area or anywhere in the state of Colorado, here's what you should do next.

Types of Traffic Infraction Penalties in Colorado

Class A Penalty: $15 to $100
Class B Penalty: $15 to $100
Class 1 Misdemeanor Penalty: Minimum 10 days in jail, $300 fine, or both. Maximum one year in jail, $1,000 fine, or both. 
Class 2 Misdemeanor Penalty: Minimum 10 days in jail, $150 fine, or both. Maximum sentence of 90 days in jail, $300 fine, or both.

Source: Denver District Attorney's Office

Types of Traffic Violation Charges
We Can Help Put Behind You

Speeding red car
  • Illegal turns
  • Turning without a signal
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Red-light camera ticket
  • Distracted driving
  • Failing to follow the rules of the road
  • Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses, including driving without a valid license, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or excessive speeding. In Colorado, exceeding the maximum speed limit of 75 miles per hour by 25 miles or more is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

Speak to a Lawyer Before Paying Traffic Tickets

If you recently received a speeding ticket, red-light camera ticket, or another type of ticket, you should: 
The Dadvocates can provide honest advice about which steps you should take next.
The Dadvocates can provide honest advice about which steps you should take next.

Weigh Your Options

First, you have to decide if you would rather pay legal fees or risk the penalties associated with your traffic violation. If you are being charged with a major traffic violation, such as excessive speeding or DUI, the penalties can be very high. When deciding whether you need a lawyer, ask yourself whether you can afford to take on increased insurance costs, license suspension, substantial fines, or jail time.

Don't Pay — Wait

Per the Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), paying a ticket is considered an admission of guilt. If you wish to contest the citation, the DMV asks that you attend court on the date issued on your citation. 

Call an Attorney

The Dadvocates can provide honest advice about which steps you should take next. As a Colorado firm that maintains a prominent focus on family law, these services can be especially helpful to men who are trying to gain or retain custody of their children.

Protect Yourself, Your Driving Record, & Your Future

Contact The Dadvocates Today

Without proper legal representation, traffic tickets can have serious, long-lasting consequences. In many cases, they can also affect a father's legal right to a relationship with his child. An attorney at The Dadvocates in Denver, CO, can investigate the details surrounding your ticket, identify faulty areas of your case that may work to your advantage, and help you get the traffic violation reduced or dismissed. To learn more, schedule a consultation by contacting us online or calling our Denver office:

(720) 749-2876

The lawyers of The Dadvocates can help men all over Colorado with traffic offenses, family law matters, and other legal disputes.

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"High-caliber representation."

1

Charlotte Anthony

2021

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Hands down the best law firm out there. They stuck through a very difficult divorce and child custody case with me. I had battled for years. I would recommend anyone of the attorney's in this firm. They look out for your best interests and have your back the entire time. Thank you again Dadvocates for absolutely everything."

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Jeannette Johnson

2020

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Kaitlyn and her team worked hard for my family even through the Covid restrictions, slow downs, and other snags that came with taking on our case. I highly recommend trusting the Dadvocates to see anyone through the toughest cases.. Her patience and transparency holds value and she never gave up in my case.

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Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?

Not all Coloradans who get traffic tickets will need a lawyer. In general, you should talk to one of the lawyers at The Dadvocates if you are facing:

Serious Infractions

The more serious your traffic violation is, the more beneficial it is to have an attorney on your side. Misdemeanors, felonies, and DUI charges are the most serious types of traffic violations and can carry heavy repercussions, including jail time. Anyone charged with these violations is encouraged to hire a lawyer to ensure the best possible outcome.

Harsh Penalties 

A traffic violation can carry significant penalties, including points on your driver's license, hefty fines, and jail time. While a fine is an undesirable nuisance that can affect your budget, points are more of a cause for concern. With points on your driver's license, you can face increased insurance costs, license suspensions, and a tainted driving record. Our lawyers can help you fight for lower penalties or even the dismissal of your case.

Is It Possible to Get Your Charges Dismissed?

Judge

For many Colorado drivers who face charges for speeding, running red lights, or drunk driving, our lawyers have been able to get charges completely dismissed. In order to get traffic violations dropped:

  • The officer who issued the ticket must show up to court
  • You must take a plea deal for a less serious violation
  • You will need to take part in some type of probationary period

The Dadvocates will review all of the possible outcomes during your consultation to help you choose the best way forward.

judge

"They have their clients' best interest in mind."

"I called Dadvocates to find legal advice about a particular sensitive situation I was dealing with.  I don't typically like calling law firms because I find they provide minimal advice while running up my tab.  But in this case, Jason and Kaitlyn really helped me out...These two attorneys are very professional and I really believe they have their clients' best interest in mind." Joey Hoisescu, 2020, 5-Star Review

Do You Need Help With Traffic Violations or Unpaid Tickets?

​Contact Our Law Firm Today

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Traffic violations and unpaid traffic tickets can lead to a number of issues if not dealt with in a proper manner. Mistakes can be costly and could affect your ability to drive, which is why it's important to speak with the Colorado lawyers at The Dadvocates.

The Dadvocates will fight for you, disputing traffic tickets and attempting to get your charges dismissed. We will also help you understand the state's point system for traffic violations and what you can do to avoid license suspension.

For more information about getting charges dropped and maintaining your ability to drive, contact our law office online. You can also request a legal consultation by phone.

Call Our Law Firm: (720) 749-2876

People shaking hands

The Traffic Violation Point System

Police car stopping a car

How Points Work

If you've been charged with a moving violation in the state of Colorado, there is a point value assigned to it. This point value applies to your driving record. If you accumulate too many points in a given period, it will result in the suspension of your driver's license.

Moving violations are assigned a point value based on the severity of the action and its potential danger to others.

License Suspension

For drivers aged 21 and over, your driver's license will be suspended for the following point values:

  • 12 or more points in a 12-month period
  • 18 or more points in a 24-month period

Points for Common Traffic Violations

Violation Number of Points
Driving 40 mph over the speed limit 12
DUI (driving under the influence) 12
Leaving the scene of an accident 12
Street racing 12
DWAI (driving while ability impaired) 8
Reckless driving 8
Driving 20-39 mph over the speed limit 6
Careless driving 4
Driving 10-19 mph over the speed limit 4
Failure to observe a sign or signal 4
Texting while driving 4
Failure to yield the right-of-way 3
Improper turn 3
Failure to signal 2
Seatbelt violation 2
Driving 5-9 mph over the speed limit 1

How Many Colorado Drivers Have Speeding Tickets?

14% of Colorado motorists have a speeding ticket on their driving record.

*According to Insurify

Based on these numbers, Colorado drivers were 25% more likely to get a speeding ticket than the national average. Colorado was ranked the sixth most speeding-prone state in the nation.

Probable Cause and Reasonable Suspicion

Cop stopping a driver

Was the Traffic Stop Justified?

Probable cause and reasonable suspicion are different standards that law enforcement use in order to enact a traffic stop.

Probable cause refers to a reasonable basis to believe that a moving violation took place. However, law enforcement need only have a reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation. Reasonable suspicion simply means that there is an objective and justifiable suspicion that there was a traffic violation.

Additional Factors

Even if a police officer has reasonable suspicion for a traffic violation, other factors may be at play. For example, a driver may have justifiably violated the speed limit due to an unsafe condition on the road. The lawyers at The Dadvocates can hone in on the circumstances of the moving violation and use that to help build a strong case for you.

Profiling and Traffic Offenses

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If you are a person of color and feel like your traffic stop and ticketing were the result of racial profiling, our attorneys can address this act of discrimination in court. We will note the police officer's bias and use any evidence of discrimination to get your charges dropped.

Protect Your Driving Record and Your Rights Contact The Dadvocates Today

Just because you were pulled over and issued a ticket does not mean it was justified. The lack of reasonable suspicion and the potential for racial profiling are all justifications for fighting the ticket. The Colorado attorneys at The Dadvocates will help fight charges, clearing your record and ensuring fair treatment each step of the way. To request a consultation, contact our law office online. You can also reach our team by phone.

Call Our Lawyers

(720) 749-2876

Supporting Men Throughout Colorado

1

Shamseldeen Shams

2018

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Samera and her team are LIFESAVERS! I was set up with a different lawyer. This lawyer was from a larger firm and it was nearly impossible to speak with him directly - and the assistants were never able to give me an update about my case. I was so nervous that nothing was being done and decided to find a new lawyer to take over. I am SO glad I found Samera. Somebody who answers every time I call and if herself isn't available, she always returns my call within a business day.

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John Carter

2019

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Samera Habib is a consummate professional who takes her responsibilities personally and handles her affairs diligently and with integrity.  Her clear thinking and open-minded approach gives her a distinct advantage over most of her peers.  Always very responsive and incredibly polite, her demeanor and optimism make interacting with her delightful.  She is very well prepared for meetings, highly organized and very creative.  I recommend Samera Habib enthusiastically and without reservation.

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How Many DUI Arrests Happen in Colorado?

There were 411 DUI arrests for every 100,000 Colorado drivers in 2018.
*According to U.S. Drug Test Centers
Based on these 2018 statistics, Colorado ranks 13th in DUI arrest rates based on state population. Since 2009, Colorado has been in the top 10 states for DUI arrest rates seven times.

Reckless and Careless Driving

Reckless Driving

Speeding Car Headed Towards Stop Sign

Reckless driving refers to a driver operating a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of other people or property. It is a class 2 misdemeanor in the state of Colorado.

Examples of reckless driving include:

  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Excessive speed
  • Failure to stop at a traffic light or stop sign
  • Passing other vehicles on the shoulder of the road

Careless Driving

Cop car in side mirror

While also a class 2 misdemeanor, careless driving is a lesser charge than reckless driving since it only results in 4 points on a person's driving record. It is characterized by operating a vehicle in an imprudent manner that does not account for road conditions, speed limit, traffic that is present, and other factors.

Examples of careless driving include:

  • Drifting into an adjacent lane
  • Sudden acceleration of a vehicle
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way
  • Unreasonable speed

Careless and reckless driving have a lot of similar aspects, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. The Dadvocates can help argue for a lesser charge in your case, which can help prevent the suspension of your driver's license.

Effects on Child Custody

While one or two traffic tickets might not matter in a child custody case, habitual moving violations or DUIs could be used against you during a divorce or parenting time dispute. This is particularly true of any incidents that suggest you may put your child's safety at risk. The Dadvocates can help fight this narrative and show that you have your child's safety at heart and best interests in mind.

Do You Need Help With a Traffic Violation?

Contact a Traffic Ticket Lawyer


Whether you've been charged with careless driving, speeding, DUI, or other traffic offenses, The Dadvocates can offer you the legal insight and guidance you need. We can answer your questions about license suspensions, court hearings, and getting charges dropped.

In addition, The Dadvocates can address how traffic offenses affect child custody disputes and other aspects of family law. We understand the challenges men can face in these cases and are committed to providing honest insight into your situation.

To speak with a traffic ticket attorney about your case, contact our law firm today. You can also reach us by phone.

Call Our Traffic Attorneys

(720) 749-2876

Dadvocates conference room

We Put Our Clients First

"The lawyers are passionate about ensuring fathers maintain meaningful relationships with their children. I'm grateful for their legal expertise and commitment to fairness in child support negotiations. I couldn't have asked for better representation." Peter Shaw, 2023, 5-Star Review

Traffic Ticket FAQ

How long do I have to pay a traffic ticket?

In the state of Colorado, you have 20 days from the violation date to pay the ticket you were issued.

What happens if I ignore a traffic ticket?

If you fail to pay a traffic ticket or do not appear in court over a traffic infraction, a default judgment will be issued against you. The traffic violation case is then sent to collections.

For a traffic misdemeanor, a judge can issue a bench warrant for your arrest and you are subject to additional charges and fines.

Should I pay my traffic ticket or fight it?

If you feel that your ticket was not justified or that your rights were violated during the traffic stop, it may be worthwhile to dispute the charges. It's a good idea to speak with an attorney about traffic ticketing law and what to expect if you go to traffic court.

Can you use your cell phone while driving in Colorado?

Based on current distracted driving laws, the state of Colorado allows adult drivers to talk on their cellphone while behind the wheel. However, drivers are not allowed to text or send any kind of manual message while operating their vehicle.

Do points on my driver's license affect my car insurance?

Yes, points on your driving record for speeding and DUI can lead to more expensive car insurance premiums.

Clients Share Their Success Stories Why Men of Colorado Trust The Dadvocates

1

Roman Cordova

2019

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My experience working with Kaitlyn Wright has been nothing but phenomenal. During the case she kept me well informed and did an excellent job representing me in court. I would highly recommend the Dadvocates as a father for they know the law well and how to help dads in their hardest of times.

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Abdul A

2018

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S.H. Law is one the best and most experienced family attorney in the Denver area. they are very down to earth and able to explain the legal process with best possible outcome. they communicated very well with my case. I would highly suggest S.H. Law as an attorney. and I would always recommend them.

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The Dadvocates

The Dadvocates are the only lawyers exclusively focused on protecting the rights of fathers. Our attorneys have received awards and prestigious recognitions from Super Lawyers, Avvo, and the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys. We assist dads in a variety of legal matters, including:

You can request a consultation with our firm by filling out our online form or calling (720) 749-2876.

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