Denver Driving Under Suspension (DUR/DUS) Lawyer

In driving school, you’re taught to obey all of the different traffic laws; make a full stop at a stop sign, always use your blinker to signal a turn, yield right of way to pedestrians, and so on and so forth. Most young drivers generally adhere to these rules because the penalties they could face for disobeying them are quite intimidating to a 16-year-old.

But as people get older and gain more experience on the roads, they tend to start to believe that there are some instances where they know better. They begin to think that the rules can be bent to suit their needs or that they may as well break the law, because the odds of being caught are relatively slim.

This may manifest in the form of minor traffic violations, like running a red light, but it also extends to more dangerous crimes, like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

This kind of mentality is one of the many reasons U.S. roads see so many traffic accidents that could be prevented. It’s also one of the reasons that many cities have started to employ the use of speed and red light cameras to catch reckless drivers in the act and swiftly issue them a fine.

The thing about this kind of behavior is, it doesn’t necessarily stop with a fine from a speed camera or even a traffic ticket from a police officer. Few drivers realize that continuing to break the rules of the road could end up securing them a much more severe punishment: a revoked or suspended driver’s license.

Reasons for License Suspension

In Colorado, there are a plethora of reasons why one’s driver’s license might be revoked. They can be the result of the ramifications of bad or reckless driving, but they can also result from non-driving related crimes. Being aware of these reasons and using common sense can help you prevent a situation that calls for the suspension of your license.

Below are some of the most common reasons your license could be suspended or revoked:

Using a vehicle to assist in committing a felony
Failing to pay child supported as ordered by the court
Driving while having a medical condition for which you have been told not to operate a motor vehicle (epilepsy, vision problems, etc.)
Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while ability impaired (DWAI)
Refusing to consent to a Breathalyzer test or BAC testing when requested after being stopped for suspected drunk driving
Failing to pay traffic tickets or fines
Failing to acquire auto insurance at the level required by the state
Being convicted for a driving related crime (hit and run, racing, etc.)
Accumulating an excess of violation “points” on your driving record

Points-Based Suspension in Colorado

Most of reasons for suspension that we covered above are pretty self explanatory. The only one that takes a little bit more understanding is suspension based on an excess of violation points. Points are awarded to drivers based on convictions for traffic violations. Some violations carry a low penalty of a couple of points, whereas other violations can put you over the points limit after only one conviction.

Whether or not a license is suspended or revoked depends both on the age of the driver as well as the amount of points they have accumulated in a specified time. In Colorado, license suspensions due to an excess of points can be broken down as follows:

Drivers 18-years-old and younger will receive a suspension if they accumulate 6 points in 12 months of less, or if they get 7 or more points on any one occasion.
Drivers between the ages of 18-21 can have their license suspended for earning themselves 9 points within 12 months, 12 points within 24 months, or by receiving 14 or more points before they turn 21.
Drivers 21 and over will see their licenses suspended if they acquire 12 points within 12 months or 18 points in 24 months.

Penalties of Driving on a Suspended License

Driving on a suspended license is never a good idea. Even if you just need to make a quick trip to the store, don’t do it. If you get pulled over, the police officer making the traffic stop is certainly not going to be happy to see that you’re on a suspended license. If you get into an accident, the consequences could be even worse.

In Colorado, driving on a suspended license will land you with a charge of “driving under restraint.” This is a misdemeanor in our state, and it can carry of sentence of up to six months in custody and can be combined with a fine of $50 to $500.

A second charge of “driving under restraint” within five years will result in you losing your license for 3 more years in addition to the suspension time you were already given. If the restraint on your license was caused by an alcohol related offense, jail becomes a mandatory minimum 30 days up to six months.

In addition to these penalties for driving on a suspended license, there are several others you could receive:

Mandatory community service
Additional points on your driving record
Increased suspension time
If the incident was alcohol or drug-related, mandatory participation in a substance abuse program
Revocation or cancellation of your license

Applying for a Restricted or Probationary License

In some cases, and mind you those are rare, you may be able to request a limited suspension. This usually allows the driver to drive to work, school, community service, or certain other activities. In the case of a driver who lost their license because of a DUI or DWI, a limited suspension may be awarded if the driver is willing to place an ignition lock system in their car.

This requires the driver to test their blood alcohol content (BAC) before driving. If they’re sober, the ignition will unlock and allow them to drive. If the driver is drunk or possess a BAC over the legal limit, they’re locked out and unable to go anywhere.

Effect on Insurance

As you can probably imagine, a suspended or revoked license will not look good to insurance providers. Once your insurance company finds out, they’re probably going to flag you as a risk. This will, more likely than not, make your insurance rates skyrocket.

The effects of this could last only a little while or they could follow you from insurance company to insurance company. It all depends on which provider you’re with. Nobody wants to pay more in insurance, so it’s best to just not risk driving on a suspended license. With taxis, buses, trains, and rides from friends, there are plenty of other options for you to take advantage of.

Reinstatement

After your license has remained suspended for the specified amount of time, you should be able to apply for reinstatement. Keep in mind that the reinstatement procedure may differ depending on why your license was revoked in the first place. It all depends on the crime committed and whether or not this is the first instance of bad driving or you are a habitual offender. In Colorado, you can find out more about your reinstatement on the DMV website or by calling 303-205-5613.

Once you’re ready to apply for reinstatement, you’ll need to fill out and submit an Application for Reinstatement by mail. Along with this form, you’ll need to include:

Any documents required by your reinstatement conditions (proof of insurance, etc.)
A money order or check in the amount of $95
Your license or ID number

If your suspension was the result of unpaid tickets, failure to pay child support, or an excess of points, you may be able to get your license reinstated in person at one of the Colorado DMV full service license offices.

Get in Touch with an Attorney

The fact of the matter is; you can’t possibly know what the true consequences of running a red light or breaking a traffic law could be. It’s always a good idea not to take chances with this kind of thing but it’s important to know that that split second decision you make on the road could change your life, and the life of someone else, forever.

It could be you or a family member who has had their license suspended or revoked. No matter what the circumstances, it’s always a good idea to consult with a lawyer. The criminal defense attorneys at Wolf Law LLC have navigated this process before. In some cases, we may be able to help you challenge the basis for your suspension or help you negotiate a plea-bargain that can lessen the consequences of suspension or revocation.

Don’t hesitate; you never know what the outcome could be unless you try to change it. Call us at 720-479-8574 or contact us to set up a time to come in and let us review your case ASAP.

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Look No Further – Jeff is the Best

I was falsely accused of a crime with serious consequences, was very depressed and got even more depressed and frustrated as I was interviewing attorneys to defend me. They had a broad spectrum of approaches and some were ready to head to trial immediately as it seemed they were primarily interested in battles and my money rather than my best interests. The first one was extremely arrogant and rushed to get me off the phone. My court appearance date was approaching and I was ready to give up when I came across Jeffrey’s website. I read he had once also been falsely accused which motivated him to become an attorney. After further reading, his philosophy appealed to me so I set up a free session.

I met with Jeffrey and told him what happened. He explained the alleged crime and potential consequences and then spoke about himself and his approach. I spent more time than the “free time” allocated but was never rushed. He listened, believed me and was really genuine as I had not witnessed before with other attorneys.

By the time we finished talking, I felt respected and not disrespected as I found out with this accusation, you are guilty until proven innocent from most everyone’s perspective. I hired Jeff on the spot and when I left his office, I felt this big burden lifted off my shoulders as I knew I could trust him to do his best for me. I was finally able to sleep that night and after several weeks able to put this out of my mind as being the constant main focus.

If you are seeking a very knowledgeable, trustworthy, caring, honest and respectful attorney, Jeffrey fits the bill. He is a great listener and never rushed me even with a flat fee rate. He has a good rapport with the Court who also respectfully listens to him. He is well spoken in the courtroom. I have seen him in several cases reaching very good settlements for his clients. On my case, he provided me his opinion with his rationale as to how I should proceed but allowed me to then make a decision as to go to trial or take a plea bargain. He would fully support my decision either way. Jeff is very good in providing the pros and cons, risks, and potential scenarios that may play out. My case will be dismissed shortly and record sealed as a result of Jeff’s hard work, negotiations, poking holes in the accuser’s story pre-trial, and dedication to my satisfactory case resolution. If you want the best, look no further as you have found him. Thank you Jeff!

— David C.

Truly There for You

Jeff is the best attorney my husband and I have used. He actually cared about what was best for my family. He actually fought for my husband and was on his side. He listened to my husband and made us feel like he was on our side and we could trust him with my husband’s future. I suggest to anyone looking for an attorney to put your trust in Jeff, he got us the best deal ever.

— Raena

So Glad I Hired Jeff Wolf for My DUI Case

I was originally considering not hiring an attorney since this was my first DUI offense but I’m definitely glad I did. It was my first DUI but I was involved in a one-car accident and totaled my car. I started to worry about the possible consequences after reading the penalties online. I contacted Jeff’s office after reading reviews on AVVO left by other clients. From the beginning he was very straightforward regarding possible penalties and possible outcomes, and gave me the details of what he would do if I hired him.

We worked out what strategies we would use for the DMV and Court. Without going into too much detail, I have to say that I was extremely happy that I decided to hire Jeff. Immediately after hiring him I felt a lot less stress about the whole situation. He was always in contact with me every step of the process and even did things for me that I didn’t have to do myself, like my DMV hearing.

Every DUI case is different based on many different circumstances, so I can’t say that my results will be yours, however I was extremely happy with my results. He won my DMV hearing, and I didn’t lose my license and got pretty much the minimum penalties in court. Overall, I would recommend him to any family or friends who find themselves in the same situation. I have several friends who had similar situations who couldn’t believe how lucky I was to get the outcome that I did. Thank you for everything Jeff!

— Daniel G.

Highly Professional

Jeffrey Wolf handled my traffic violation in a highly professional manner, giving it the same consideration and time as a more challenging case, during a very stressful time in my life. As soon as the accident happened, he was there to offer advice and help. He went to court for me, so I would not have to take time off of work to go. His care and concern for my well-being was top-notch. Thank you so much, Jeff!

— Carol P.

Professional. Attentive. Experienced. Successful.

I was referred to Jeff by one of my friends who was recently represented by Wolf Law in his DUI case; I will be forever grateful for that recommendation. Jeff made this extremely stressful process feel much more manageable from start to finish. He was always responsive and highly communicative, even throughout my barrage of anxiety driven questioning. He was a maestro in the courtroom and was able to get me the absolute minimum penalties. He even got certain areas of my very unique case dismissed – saving me thousands of dollars in the process. While I hope I never have to, I will surely be recommending Wolf Law as DUI representation to any of my friends and family in the future.

— Anonymous

My Son Was in Trouble, Jeff Wolf was His Advocate

When my son got in trouble, I was referred to Jeff Wolf by a friend. He was immediately responsive, calling me back within an hour. We set up a meeting for a couple of days later with no obligation, and when we met he helped us understand the many aspects of my son’s case. We retained him and were grateful for his obvious comfort with the legal system and ability to help us navigate it. Throughout, he advocated for my son but also was stern with him, very clearly communicating the severity of his situation. We ended up with a deferred sentence and are so glad we had Mr. Wolf’s help. He is very reliable and accessible; it was reassuring to know we had him in our court.

— Lisa

Professional and Knowledgeable

I cannot be happier with Jeffrey Wolf’s representation in my court case. He was very direct, no time wasted. Very professional, and above all very knowledgeable and qualified as an attorney. I was facing felony charges that were unfounded and Mr. Wolf saw the truth immediately, believed in me despite the allegations and got all charges dismissed. He always kept me informed and current with his progress, and offered very sound advice. I also would consider him a friend as well. I highly recommend Mr. Wolf to anyone needing serious legal counsel.

— Bill F.

Professional, Passionate and Knowledgeable

This was my first experience with the law, and Jeffrey Wolf did a fantastic job of guiding me and my family through this. He was always available to answer any concerns I had, realistic in terms of what we were looking at, and passionate about getting us through this. He truly took my case to heart and was a lifesaver through a trying time. Thanks to him, I still have a chance to succeed in my career and lead a normal life!

— Tyler C.

Excellent Lawyer

I would like to share my experience and recommend Jeffrey Wolf at Wolf Law for their dedication and awesome team. I had recently contacted the Wolf Law firm with a rather challenging case and he was able to get it resolved satisfactorily and for that, thank you.

— Cece M.

Wonderful Experience with Colleen Kelley

I recently had the pleasure of becoming Colleen Kelley’s client. Even despite the terrible circumstances of fighting wrongful criminal charges, Colleen provided a supportive and pleasant experience during this process. Thankfully, I was introduced to Colleen through another attorney. She took my case on short notice and started working on my behalf in less than 24 hours by showing up to court the day after I secured her services.

She was diligent in her research, communication, and pursuit of justice. In just three short months, my case was dismissed. During this three-month nightmare, Colleen provided clarity and assurance along the way. While Colleen was very thorough in regards to every possible outcome I might experience, her professionalism and devotion to this case made it clear that the outcomes would be outstanding from day one. I’m so thankful that I found Colleen to represent me. I would highly recommend her services.

— Dawn R.