Can You Fight a Speeding Ticket in Colorado?

Getting pulled over for speeding in Colorado can be frustrating and stressful. Many drivers assume they have no choice but to pay the fine and move on. However, paying a speeding ticket is the same as admitting guilt, and that decision can carry consequences beyond just the fine itself. Speeding tickets can add points to your driver’s license, raise insurance rates, and even lead to a suspended license if violations stack up. The good news is that you may have options to fight a speeding ticket in Colorado.

Understanding Colorado’s Speeding Laws

Colorado law sets speed limits for different types of roads, including city streets, highways, and rural areas. Driving over the posted limit can result in a citation, with penalties increasing depending on how far above the speed limit you were traveling. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 25 miles per hour can be classified as a more serious violation, sometimes even reckless driving.

Speeding is treated as a traffic infraction in most cases, but the penalties can add up quickly. Fines vary by county, but drivers should also understand that each violation adds points to their driving record. Accumulating too many points within a set timeframe can trigger a license suspension.

Consequences of Paying a Speeding Ticket

Before deciding to simply pay a ticket, it is important to understand the consequences. When you pay a speeding ticket, you are pleading guilty to the violation. This means points are automatically added to your record. The number of points depends on the severity of the speeding offense:

• 1–4 points for minor speeding violations
• 6–12 points for more serious violations, especially if speeds are significantly above the limit

Points on your license can cause insurance companies to view you as a higher-risk driver, which often leads to increased insurance premiums. In addition, drivers who accumulate too many points within a two-year period may lose their driving privileges. This is why many drivers choose to explore ways to contest tickets rather than accepting the penalties outright.

Options for Fighting a Speeding Ticket in Colorado

Drivers in Colorado have the right to contest a speeding ticket in court. The process typically begins by pleading not guilty, which allows you to request a hearing. At the hearing, you or your attorney may challenge the evidence presented by law enforcement or raise legal defenses. Possible defenses include:

• Questioning radar or laser accuracy: Devices used to measure speed must be properly calibrated and maintained. If the equipment was not reliable, the reading may be challenged.
• Challenging the officer’s observations: In some cases, an officer may rely on visual estimation, which can be inaccurate under certain conditions.
• Proving necessity: Rare situations, such as speeding to avoid immediate danger, may provide a valid defense.
• Disputing the stop: If the traffic stop was conducted improperly, evidence from it may not be admissible.

Each case is different, but raising questions about the accuracy of the evidence or the fairness of the stop may result in reduced penalties or dismissal of the ticket.

Benefits of Contesting a Ticket

Fighting a speeding ticket takes time and effort, but the benefits can be significant. If successful, you may avoid fines, prevent points from being added to your license, and keep your insurance rates from rising. In some cases, even if the ticket is not dismissed entirely, a judge may agree to reduce the charges or allow you to complete traffic school in exchange for fewer points.

Another benefit is that contesting a ticket can prevent long-term consequences. Points remain on your driving record for several years, which means a single speeding conviction today could affect your insurance rates and driving privileges well into the future.

When to Consider Legal Help

While some drivers choose to represent themselves in traffic court, many find it beneficial to work with an attorney who understands Colorado traffic laws. An experienced lawyer can evaluate the evidence, identify weaknesses in the case against you, and present strong defenses on your behalf. Our traffic and DUI attorneys help drivers in Northglenn and throughout Colorado fight tickets, protect their driving records, and avoid unnecessary penalties.

Legal help is especially valuable if you already have points on your license, hold a commercial driver’s license, or face allegations of excessive speeding. In these situations, the risks of paying a ticket without contesting it are much higher.

Protecting Your Driving Record

A speeding ticket in Colorado may seem like a minor issue, but it can have long-lasting consequences. From higher insurance costs to possible license suspension, the impact goes beyond paying a fine. Fortunately, you do not have to simply accept the penalties. By understanding your rights and considering your options, you may be able to reduce or even dismiss a speeding ticket.

If you are facing a speeding ticket or other traffic violation in Colorado, do not make decisions without knowing your options. To learn more about how you can protect your record and reduce the impact of a ticket, contact us today. We are ready to review your case and help you pursue the best possible outcome.