There are severe penalties for driving on a suspended license in Colorado. If you are convicted of driving under suspension (DUS), you can face fines, fees and surcharges, plus an extension of your suspension and even possible jail time. Needless to say, if you have been charged with driving on a suspended license, you need to take your situation extremely seriously. At Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C., we have experience fighting DUS charges on both sides of the courtroom, and we can use this experience to fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced so that you can move forward in a positive way.
Understanding Your Colorado DUS Charge
Department of Revenue Administrative Suspension
In Colorado, each time you plead guilty to a traffic offense, mail in payment for a speeding ticket, or lose your case at trial, you get “points” added to your driving record. These points stay on your record for life and never “fall off”. If you accumulate too many points on your driving record at any one time, the Colorado Department of Revenue will suspend your license.
You can fight this suspension – and it is important that you do so as you have the possibility of having the period of suspension reduced and/or being issued a “red license” that allows for limited, need-based driving during the period of suspension. At Tiftickjian Law Firm, we have handled hundreds of DMV license suspension hearings in Denver and throughout Colorado.
If you do not fight your suspension, or if the DMV hearing officer suspends your license, you are not legally allowed to drive (C.R.S. Section 42-2-127). If you are caught driving while your license is suspended, you will likely face charges for DUS.
Other Reasons Your License May Be Suspended
Along with excess accumulation of points, Colorado law provides a number of other ways that drivers can lose their driving privileges. These include:
- Being convicted of a major traffic crime, such as vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, or Felony DUI (C.R.S. Section 42-2-128)
- Being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI) or underage drinking and driving (UDD) (C.R.S. Section 42-2-129)
- Driving without insurance (C.R.S. Section 42-2-127.7)
- Failing to comply with a court order related to a non-driving alcohol conviction (C.R.S. Section 42-2-131)
- Providing alcohol to a minor (C.R.S. Section 42-2-127.6)
- Violating a child support order (C.R.S. Section 42-2-127.5)
- Failure to appear in court or to pay a traffic ticket
Regardless of the reason you lost your driving privileges, driving on a suspended license is a serious offense under Colorado law. If you do not fight your DUS charge, you can face serious, and potentially long-term consequences.
The Consequences of a DUS Conviction
As we already mentioned, a DUS conviction can lead to monetary penalties, an extended suspension, and possible jail time. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your suspension and whether you have any prior convictions for DUS, this can amount to thousands of dollars, loss of driving privileges for multiple years, and in some cases mandatory incarceration. This does not include how a conviction can impact your job, your family and your independence. If you do not fight your DUS charge, this means jail. However, if you hire an experienced attorney, you may be able to resolve your case favorably – if not avoid conviction entirely.
Schedule a Consultation about Your Colorado DUS Case at Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C. Today
At Tiftickjian Law Firm, P.C., we live to help our clients avoid jail time and protect their privilege to drive. If you are looking for skilled, aggressive representation for your Colorado driving under suspension case, call (303) 384-5280 or contact us online to speak with an attorney today.