Over 10,000 Criminal Cases Handled in the Denver Area

Traffic Violations Lawyer in Lakewood

Speeding tickets and traffic violations in Lakewood can put your license, your finances, and your livelihood at risk. Whether you are facing a speeding charge in Jefferson County Municipal Court, a reckless driving accusation, or a more serious hit and run allegation, the consequences reach well beyond a fine and can affect your insurance rates, your job, and your ability to drive. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, speeding remains the leading factor in Colorado traffic deaths, and law enforcement in Jefferson County treats speed enforcement accordingly.

Shazam Kianpour & Associates has defended drivers in Jefferson County courts for over 22 years. Our criminal defense firm understands Lakewood’s municipal court, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office, and the practical realities that determine whether a traffic case ends in conviction, dismissal, or a favorable reduction. We handle each case with the focused attention that the stakes require, and we do not treat traffic matters as minor.

Understanding Traffic Violations in Colorado

Colorado organizes traffic offenses by severity and point values, with consequences that grow quickly when violations accumulate. Speeding 10 to 19 mph over the posted limit carries 4 points; speeding 20 or more mph over escalates to 6 points and can shift the charge from a Class A infraction to a Class 2 misdemeanor with potential jail time. Driving 25 mph or more over the limit is a misdemeanor that could result in 10 to 90 days in jail, a distinction that matters significantly on Kipling Street, Wadsworth Boulevard, or US-6 through Lakewood, where speed enforcement is active. You can review a current breakdown of Colorado’s traffic violation laws on our main traffic violations page.

Jefferson County’s point accumulation thresholds mean that even a single speeding ticket can push a driver toward suspension, particularly if prior violations are already on record. Minor offenses carry 1 to 3 points, and accumulating 12 points in 12 months triggers a suspension review. Lakewood Municipal Court handles a significant portion of traffic matters within city limits, while cases involving more serious charges or accidents often proceed to Jefferson County District Court, where the stakes rise considerably.

More serious classifications include reckless driving, careless driving causing injury, and driving under restraint, which carry 4 to 12 points and exposure to fines, suspension, and incarceration. Understanding which category your charge falls into is the first step toward building an effective defense.

Common Traffic Violations We Handle

The following are the most common traffic violations we handle for Lakewood and Jefferson County drivers: 

Speeding and Racing Offenses

Speeding accounts for roughly half of the traffic cases we handle in Lakewood. US-6, Kipling Street, and Wadsworth Boulevard are frequent citation corridors, and officers in the area actively enforce speed limits, particularly during commute hours and near school zones. A ticket for driving 20 or more mph over the limit carries 6 points and may qualify as a Class 2 misdemeanor with possible incarceration, not a standard infraction that can be ignored.

Street racing and speed contests in Lakewood carry separate criminal exposure, including vehicle impoundment, license suspension, and potential felony charges when injury or death results. We analyze the equipment used in each stop, the officer’s certification, and the location’s posted limit before recommending any approach to the case.

Hit and Run Violations

Hit and run charges range from misdemeanor property damage to felony offenses involving injury or death. Colorado law requires drivers to stop, render reasonable assistance, and exchange information at the scene regardless of fault. Leaving, even when a driver believes they were not at fault, converts a potential civil matter into a criminal case with serious exposure.

Lakewood’s intersection density and volume of parked vehicles mean hit and run incidents occur frequently, including parking lot incidents where witnesses or cameras are involved. We review all available evidence early, which is often the difference between a felony charge and a resolution that avoids criminal conviction.

Driving Under Restraint

Driving under restraint is one of the most frequently charged offenses we see in Jefferson County courts. License suspensions arising from points, unpaid fines, or missed court dates are common, and many drivers are unaware their license was suspended until they are pulled over.

A first offense typically adds suspension time and fines. Repeat offenses, particularly when the underlying suspension involved an alcohol-related conviction, can escalate to jail time. Addressing the underlying suspension and resolving the new charge together is usually the most effective path.

Defending Against Traffic Charges

Defending a traffic citation in Lakewood requires understanding how Jefferson County prosecutors and municipal judges evaluate these cases, not just what the statute says. Many citations contain procedural or technical defects, and identifying them early can change the outcome significantly.

Challenging speed measurement evidence is one of our most effective tools. Radar and laser devices must be calibrated and operated according to specific protocols, and officers must be properly certified for the equipment they use. When calibration records are incomplete or procedures were not followed, we move to suppress the evidence.

Negotiating with prosecutors in Jefferson County and Lakewood Municipal Court frequently produces alternatives to conviction, including reductions to defective vehicle equipment violations that carry no points and have no effect on insurance rates. We pursue dismissal where the evidence supports it and present the most favorable resolution when negotiation is the better path.

Consequences of Traffic Convictions

Traffic convictions in Jefferson County carry immediate and long-term costs that extend well beyond the initial fine. License suspension is often the most immediate concern, particularly for Lakewood residents whose jobs depend on their ability to drive, including those who commute to employment centers in Denver, Wheat Ridge, or Arvada.

Colorado’s point system suspends a license at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months. Points stay on your record from one to seven years depending on the severity of the offense, meaning that one serious conviction can affect your driving record and insurance rates for years.

Insurance rate increases are frequently the most financially damaging long-term consequence. Reckless driving, hit and run, and other major violations can increase premiums by 20 to 50 percent, with some carriers canceling policies entirely and forcing drivers into high-risk coverage. The cost of conviction over several years often far exceeds the original fine.

Employment consequences are real for any Lakewood driver whose job requires a clean record. Commercial drivers, delivery personnel, construction trades workers, and sales professionals all face record checks from employers, and a conviction can affect job security or advancement. Acting quickly to fight the charge is almost always worth the effort.

Why Choose Shazam Kianpour & Associates

Traffic violations in Lakewood are worth fighting, and the outcome of a case often turns on how quickly a driver gets qualified representation and how thoroughly the charge is challenged from the start. Our Lakewood criminal defense practice covers the full range of traffic and criminal matters in Jefferson County, and we bring that same depth to every case we take.

Shazam Kianpour has handled thousands of traffic and criminal cases throughout Colorado and has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers for his work in criminal defense. Our firm’s approach focuses on practical, efficient resolutions that protect your license and minimize long-term consequences, not unnecessary delays. Contact us today through our online intake form to discuss your Lakewood traffic case with our team.

Practice Areas

Written by

Denver Criminal Defense Attorney & Founder, Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C. — Over 10,000 criminal and traffic cases handled across Colorado.