El Paso County Traffic Violation Defense Lawyers
Been Charged With a Traffic Violation in El Paso?
Nothing will dampen your day like getting pulled over for, or receiving notice of, a traffic violation. You may be concerned about how you will pay the fine, penalty points on your license, or for more serious offenses, the prospect of imprisonment.
Whatever traffic violation you are charged with in El Paso County, Colorado, you can choose to fight against it. With the distinguished team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. on your side, your chances of receiving a better outcome are drastically increased.
Contact us today at (719) 475-2555 for a free consultation.
Types of Traffic Violations:
El Paso County has adopted the Model Traffic Code for Colorado, whereby traffic violations are divided into “traffic infractions” or more serious “misdemeanor traffic offenses.”
Traffic Infractions
Traffic infractions are a more common, less serious category of traffic violations, dealt with through the civil, rather than criminal justice system. A traffic infraction may require the person charged to pay fines, court costs, or have penalty points on their license, but will not result in imprisonment.
Traffic infractions are divided into the more serious Class A infractions and the less serious Class B infractions.
Examples of Class A traffic infractions include:
- Failing to obey traffic signals
- Failing to give right of way
- Illegal overtaking
- Speeding (between 1 and 24 miles per hour over the speed limit)
Examples of Class B traffic infractions include:
- Permitting an unauthorized minor to drive
- Driving an unregistered vehicle
- Operating a motor vehicle without a seatbelt
Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses
Traffic offenses, by contrast to traffic infractions, are considered a criminal matter, and are punishable by fines, penalty points, and/or imprisonment. These crimes are similarly divided into the more serious Class 1 traffic misdemeanors (which carry higher potential prison sentences and fines) and less serious Class 2 traffic misdemeanors.
Examples of Class 1 Traffic misdemeanors include:
- Exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more in a maintenance, repair, or construction zone
- Careless or reckless driving if another person suffers injury as a result
- Knowingly engaging in a speed contest/drag race
Examples of Class 2 Traffic misdemeanors include:
- Driving without a valid license
- Exceeding the speed limit by 25 mph or more outside of a maintenance, repair, or construction zone
- Careless or reckless driving that does not injure another
How Can a Lawyer Help?
Traffic Infractions
If you are charged with a traffic infraction, depending on the charge, you may have the option to choose to pay the fine before a specified date, which is considered a guilty plea. Alternatively, you may choose to have a hearing or may be directed to appear at court without the option of paying a fine.
Where a hearing occurs, having a lawyer on your side substantially increases your chances of the charge being dismissed, or your penalty being reduced. A lawyer can help decide whether a plea bargain offered by the prosecution is worth taking, and if not, will argue for the best outcome in the circumstances for you in court.
Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses
For misdemeanor traffic offenses, a lawyer is even more crucial given the prospect of imprisonment if you are found guilty. As these are criminal matters, the defendant has the right to a jury trial.
A lawyer will help you navigate the criminal justice process and will zealously pursue your best interests at each stage. This can include arguing for you to receive bail and for this to be a reasonable sum, negotiating a favorable plea bargain, presenting your defense in court, or arguing to reduce your sentence.
Contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. Today
Whatever traffic violation you have been charged with in El Paso County, you don’t have to accept this at face value.
The experienced team at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. has an impressive track record of gaining favorable results for our clients in a range of traffic violation cases, whether traffic infractions or misdemeanor traffic offenses. Attorney Timothy Bussey has over 25 years as both a prosecution and defense attorney, so he knows the tactics of the prosecution and how to counter them.
Call us today at (719) 475-2555 so we can fight for you.
Call now for legal help
(719) 475-2555
