Legally Reviewed by Shazam Kianpour on June 22, 2026
It is not “just” a speeding ticket, and it is far more than a hit-and-run or careless or reckless driving ticket. Traffic tickets can mean hundreds and thousands of dollars in increased insurance costs, points against your driver’s license, and lasting consequences for your driving privileges. While a single ticket can raise your insurance rates and put you on the radar of local police, several violations, habitual traffic offender (HTO) status, or a DUI or DWAI arrest in Colorado will change your life even more dramatically.
At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., our Denver traffic violations lawyers defend clients across the Denver metro area against the full range of misdemeanor and felony traffic charges. With more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, a dual prosecution and defense background, and over 10,000 cases handled, we know how Colorado courts and the DMV process traffic cases at every stage.
⚠ Time-Sensitive — Court Date and DMV Points Move Fast
Got a traffic ticket in Colorado? Just paying the fine is an admission of guilt that adds points to your license. Missing the court date triggers a failure-to-appear and additional charges. Talk to a defense lawyer before you pay.
22+ years of criminal defense experience. Dual prosecution and defense background. 10,000+ criminal cases handled. Same-day appointments and 24/7 availability.
A major traffic violation conviction may result in driver’s license suspension or revocation, fines, mandatory classes and/or jail time.
Considering these very real consequences for traffic violations, you should contact an experienced traffic defense attorney as soon as possible.
When you receive a traffic ticket in Denver, you will likely wonder how you should handle it. Typically, you can either pay the fine, which is an admission of guilt, or contest the ticket in court.
Paying the fine might seem like the easiest option, and it may be prudent if you received a minor speeding ticket, but in many cases it can have long-term consequences.
Contesting a traffic ticket can be worth it, especially for more serious traffic offenses. If you believe you were wrongly ticketed, fighting your ticket could save you from fines, points on your license, and increased insurance rates.
Our attorneys can help you devise a strategy for fighting your ticket and represent you in court. We know the ins and outs of Denver traffic tickets and can provide you with the guidance you need.
One of the biggest concerns with Denver traffic tickets is how they affect your car insurance. While a minor ticket may not increase it by much, most tickets lead to higher premiums.
By contesting your ticket with the help of a lawyer, you may be able to avoid this outcome.
Colorado criminal defense attorneys at our firm provide traffic violations defense to people in the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado’s Front Range, including Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, Denver, and Boulder counties, just to name a few.
Our traffic violations practice includes both felony and misdemeanor traffic offenses, such as:
Under Colorado’s driver license points system, an adult over 21 years old with 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months will lose his or her driver’s license for at least one year.
For drivers under 21, automatic license suspension occurs with even fewer points. At any age, several minor traffic tickets that seem inconsequential can add up, marking a driver as a habitual traffic offender (HTO status) and resulting in a five-year license suspension.
As a Denver law firm with more than 22 years of criminal defense experience, we understand the importance of seeking guidance when facing traffic violations. With increased traffic in the Denver area, you may find yourself facing common traffic charges such as a DUI, speeding, or reckless driving. The Denver County Court handles many of these cases, and it is crucial to have a skilled Denver traffic attorney on your side who knows the local laws and procedures.
When you work with us, you can expect a clear understanding of the charges against you and a tailored approach to your defense. Our experience in Colorado traffic law allows us to spot flaws in the prosecution’s case and craft a defense strategy that protects your record and your driving privileges. We will review the evidence against you, including witness statements and police reports, and visit our traffic violations FAQ for answers to the most common questions clients ask.
By partnering with our team, you can better protect your rights as you receive a real defense. We offer guidance throughout the legal process while helping you manage the complexities of traffic law. We will help you understand the consequences of a traffic violation, including fines, license suspension, and insurance rate increases, and we will work to ease their impact on your daily life. We will also keep you informed of the progress of your case and ensure that you are ready for each step of the legal process.
When facing serious traffic violations charges, it is important to be aware that effectively challenging the ticket or the charges can require prompt action by you and your attorney.
Our attorneys at Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., will seek to obtain the best possible outcome in your case by providing aggressive trial representation or skillful negotiation, whichever is most appropriate.
To discuss your traffic ticket and your legal options with an experienced Colorado criminal defense lawyer, schedule an initial free consultation with our team.
No. “Just a ticket” can lead to snowballing consequences that include the loss of your license or being punished as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO). This is a road you want to avoid going down, and the first step is making sure your ticket is taken seriously and handled correctly.
Speeding tickets don’t just go away. If you do not fight a ticket smartly, you will wind up with points on your license and have any future ticket treated more harshly.
This phrase, which is fluent legalese, means you have a target on your back when it comes to local police and the state patrol. It also means that you will face some of the most severe penalties possible under Colorado law, including the loss of your driver’s license, thousands of dollars in fines, and serious jail time.
Colorado’s point system can quickly turn relatively minor infractions into events with severe consequences. For drivers over the age of 21, 12 points in a 12-month period or 18 points in a 24-month period can lead to a license suspension.
In Colorado, DMV points on your license never get removed. However, because of Colorado’s Habitual Traffic Offender laws and license point system, points from over 24 months ago will not affect your license status. Even so, the consequences of small traffic infractions can quickly build into harsher penalties.
Yes. You can show up to court on your own, but you will largely be wasting your time. You need someone on your side who understands the process and can pursue a favorable outcome that protects your driver’s license and allows you to move on with your life.
If you try to fly under the radar and drive without a license, you will likely get caught and make things worse. Your best bet is to work with a lawyer who has experience protecting the driving privileges of people in your situation. We can work to negotiate an outcome that allows you to drive for specific purposes such as going to work, school, or medical appointments.
If you are a commercial driver, getting a DUI or any other serious traffic infraction may seem like the end of your career. It does not have to be. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can begin to protect your rights both legally and with the DMV.
Under Colorado Revised Statute 16-5-401, Class 1 and Class 2 traffic misdemeanors (such as reckless driving and careless driving causing injury) generally must be filed within 18 months of the alleged offense. Petty offenses and traffic infractions (most speeding tickets, equipment violations, and minor moving violations) carry a one-year deadline. Felony traffic charges (vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, certain habitual traffic offender violations) have a three-year filing window, and DUI causing death combined with leaving the scene carries a five-year deadline.
Fees vary based on the type of violation, the complexity of the case, and whether the case goes to trial. Most ticket and minor traffic representation runs a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while more serious matters (reckless driving, habitual traffic offender, CDL cases, vehicular assault or homicide) run substantially higher. At Shazam Kianpour & Associates, P.C., we offer free initial consultations so you can understand your options and our fee structure before you commit.
Traffic violations in Colorado are not simple paperwork problems. They can cost you your license, your insurance rates, your job, and in serious cases, your freedom. With more than 22 years of criminal defense experience and over 10,000 cases handled across the Denver area, our team understands how Colorado courts and the DMV process traffic cases, and where there is room to negotiate or challenge the evidence against you.
Whether you are facing a single speeding ticket, a habitual traffic offender designation, or a more serious charge that threatens your career, we are ready to step in. Reach out through our contact form to schedule your free consultation, and we will move quickly to protect what matters most.
