Types Of Colorado Traffic Tickets

The penalties and consequences for a violation conviction are determined by the category and class of the charge. Only five of Colorado's six criminal and traffic charge categories apply to driving violations: traffic infractions, petty offenses, misdemeanor traffic offenses, misdemeanors (unclassified), and felonies. Traffic violations are the least severe category, while felonies are the most serious. Each category has classes that control the charge's range of penalties and consequences.

Classifications Of Colorado Traffic Tickets

There are five types of traffic offenses in Colorado, as follows:

Traffic Infractions

Many minor traffic offenses are classified as Class A or Class B traffic infractions, which are civil charges. Often, if the driver is 18 or older, these tickets can be paid by mail without appearing in court, following the ticket instructions, or later mailed to you by the court. If the driver is under 18, they cannot mail the penalty assessment and must appear in court with a parent or legal guardian.

Class A Traffic Infractions

  • Points are assessed to your driver's license if you are convicted of a Class A Traffic Infraction under Colorado's DMV Point System.

Class B Traffic Infractions

  • Many Class B Traffic Infractions are zero (0) point charges, and your driver's license will not be penalized. A few Class B Traffic Infractions are one or more point charges, and the points will be assessed to your driver's license; however, these points do not count toward any Point Suspension of your driver's license.

Petty (Unclassified) Offenses

Unclassified Petty Offenses refer to minor traffic violations. This type of charge necessitates a mandatory court appearance. A conviction may result in a jail sentence, a fine, or other penalties and sentence requirements, as specified in the applicable statute. Do not disregard the court date specified on your summons. Suppose you fail to appear in court on your scheduled date. In that case, serious consequences may follow, including the issuance of an arrest warrant, the requirement that you post a bond to ensure your presence at future court dates, and the suspension of your driver's license (whether you live in-state or out-of-state) until the arrest warrant is resolved. Other actions are taken to ensure your presence in court. Colorado's DMV Point System will assess points to your driver's license if you are convicted of a Petty Offense.

Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses

Class 1 Traffic Misdemeanor Offenses and Class 2 Traffic Misdemeanor Offenses are moderately serious traffic offenses. These charges cannot be paid by mail and require a court appearance. Depending on the misdemeanor class and nature of the charge, an attorney may be retained in some cases to represent the driver in court. Class 1 misdemeanor traffic offenses are more severe than Class 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses. A Misdemeanor Traffic Offense is precisely what it sounds like: a minor criminal charge. A conviction for this type of violation may result in a one-year jail sentence, hefty fines and costs, 12 months or more of probation, required drug or alcohol counseling, helpful public service, restitution, and other penalties or sentence requirements.

Class 1 Traffic Misdemeanors

  • A fine of $300.00 to $1,000.00, a jail sentence of 10 days to one year (usually only ordered in cases where there are aggravating factors, such as repeat violations, injury to a person, or reckless disregard for the safety of others), community or valuable public service, probation for 12 months or longer, alcohol or drug counseling, restitution, and other penalties or requirements from the c Points are assessed to your driver's license if you are convicted of a Class 1 Misdemeanor Offense under Colorado's DMV Point System.

Class 2 Traffic Misdemeanors

  • The penalties for this class of misdemeanor include a minimum fine of $150.00 up to a maximum fine of $300.00, a jail sentence of 10 days to 90 days (usually only ordered in cases where there are aggravating factors, such as repeat violations, injury to a person, or reckless indifference to the safety of others), community or valuable public service, probation for 12 months or longer, alcohol or drug counseling, restitution, and other penalties or requirements from the court. Points are assessed to your driver's license upon conviction for a Class 2 Misdemeanor Offense under Colorado's DMV Point System.

Misdemeanor (Unclassified) Charges

Unclassified Misdemeanors are the most serious traffic offenses. This type of charge necessitates a mandatory court appearance, and a conviction may result in a jail sentence, hefty fines and costs, probation for 12 months or more, required drug or alcohol counseling, community or valuable public service, restitution, and other penalties and sentence requirements, as specified in the specific statute for any violation. Do not disregard the court date specified on your summons. Suppose you fail to appear in court on your scheduled date. In that case, serious consequences may follow, including the issuance of an arrest warrant, the requirement that you post a bond to ensure your presence at future court dates, and the suspension of your driver's license (whether you live in-state or out-of-state) until the arrest warrant is resolved. Other actions are taken to ensure your presence in court. Suppose you are convicted of an Unclassified Misdemeanor. In that case, you will receive points on your driver's license under Colorado's DMV Point System, and your driving privileges may be restricted as provided in the statute for the violation.

Felony Criminal Charges

The most severe criminal charges involving a motor vehicle are felonies. Criminally Negligent Homicide, Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Assault, Manslaughter Involving a Motor Vehicle, Vehicular Eluding, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Serious Bodily Injuries or Death, Felony Distribution of Drugs Involving a Motor Vehicle Felonies are extremely serious charges that can result in a lengthy prison sentence, massive fines, lengthy probation, mandatory drug or alcohol counseling, helpful public service, restitution, and other penalties or sentence requirements.