Speeding tickets in Colorado can be classified in two ways:

• As a traffic infraction carrying a civil fine and potential DMV points on your driving record;
• As a criminal misdemeanor carrying the above penalties as well as the potential for jail time.

Misdemeanor traffic offenses should be taken very seriously because jail penalties are regularly imposed against aggressive drivers who the court determines are deserving of incarceration.

Your penalties for any speeding ticket will depend on how fast you were allegedly driving over the posted limit. These penalties become doubled when taking place in a construction zone. 

Speeding tickets are infractions when driving one to 24 mph over the limit. However, they increase incrementally. For example, speeding five to nine mph over the limit will result in a $70 fine plus a $10 surcharge and one demerit point on your driving record. Speeding 20 to 24 mph over the limit will result in a $200 fine plus a $32 surcharge and six demerit points. 

Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit is a Class 2 misdemeanor carrying fines of $150 up to $300 and/or 10 to 90 days of jail time. It also puts six points on your driving record if you were driving less than 40 mph over the limit or 12 points if driving more than 40 mph above the limit. 

What You Need to Know

The first thing you need to know about traffic tickets in Colorado is that not all courts will treat them the same. The court that has jurisdiction over your speeding tickets in Colorado will impact your case. To further complicate the issue, it is important to understand that state courts (county courts) differ from city courts (municipal courts). These courts have different rules and penalties. For example, a municipal court can jail you for up to a year and/or fine you up to $999.99 for speeding offenses while a county court can impose a jail sentence of 90 days and a fine of $300.00.

Furthermore, traffic infractions allow you to pay your ticket (plead guilty} by mail while a traffic offense is a court summons that leaves you no choice but to appear in court. It is also important to note that you usually only have a certain amount of time to pay your ticket. After that time has passed, you will have no choice but to go to court whether you are a Colorado resident or an out-of-state driver with speeding tickets in Colorado.

What a Pueblo Speeding Ticket Attorney Can Do

At Lucero Law, we can potentially help you:

• Seek a dismissal of your ticket
• Plea bargain your ticket to a lesser charge
• Save money on your insurance
• Save money on your fines
• Review and analyze your driving record
• Appear in court on your behalf
• Present your case at trial
• Analyze your case for potential defenses