Denver DUI Attorney Blog

Denver Hit and Run Lawyer

Published on: November 1, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

Did you receive one of these letters in the mail? If so, you need to speak with a Denver criminal defense attorney who has handled multiple Denver Hit and Run cases and Investigations. If a detective from the Denver Police Traffic Investigations Unit contacts you via a letter and/or phone call it is critical that you not make any statements and to simply and politely decline to answer any questions until you speak with a lawyer. You are not required to answer any questions and you are not required to make any statements.

It’s worth noting that detectives are trained to get people to talk. Your statements can (and often will) be used as evidence against you. Often times detectives will pretend that they’re your friend and may even downplay the seriousness of the matter in order to get you to talk. Thus it’s best to avoid the situation altogether and simply decline to make any statements and indicate that you need to speak with your lawyer.

Thereafter, once you have retained a lawyer, the lawyer can contact the detective. Typical evidence in a hit and run case may include a description of the vehicle, a description of the driver, any physical evidence left at the scene, license plate number, cell phone photos, cell phone video, business video, government video, witness statements/interviews, and the direction the vehicle allegedly fled to. The owner of the vehicle (if the vehicle is identified) is often assumed to also be the driver. However, as we all know, sometimes vehicles are loaned out to friends or relatives. Thus, there can be a lot of “moving parts” to these types of cases.

Once the lawyer has contacted the detective (and hopefully gathered as much information as possible), the lawyer can thereafter advise the person being investigated of the options in the case and whether or not it makes sense to do an “interview” with the detective. If the vehicle involved has been seized by the police it will often be held as evidence in the case. If the vehicle has not been seized, often times the detective will want to inspect the vehicle as part of a proposed meeting at the Denver Police Department Traffic Investigations Unit located at 3381 Park Avenue West in Denver.

The Denver Police Traffic Investigations Unit (aka “Traffic Investigations Bureau”) is a specialized unit of the Denver Police Department that investigates cases of Hit and Run, Eluding, accidents involving serious bodily injury (SBI) and accidents involving fatalities.

There are multiple counts of Hit and Run that can be charged in just a single case. Each charge is a criminal offense punishable by the possibility of jail and each charge carries 12 points against a driver’s license. For an adult driver 21 years of age or older, 12 points is all it takes to suspend a person’s driver’s license. In addition to Hit and Run charges, a driver will also typically face Careless Driving or Reckless Driving. Depending upon the evidence, Hit and Run cases in Denver can often result in a driver being charged with 20, 30, or even 40 or more points in total charges. If the Hit and Run accident resulted in serious bodily injury to another person it is a Class 4 Felony, if the accident results in death it is a Class 3 Felony.

Craig, Moffat County, Colorado DUI Lawyer

Published on: August 16, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

Moffat County, Colorado covers an enormous area of 4,751 square miles in the Northwest corner of the state and is the second largest county in Colorado. That’s a huge area for law enforcement to patrol! District 4 of the Colorado State Patrol, Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, and the Craig Police Department enforce DUI laws in Moffat County.

In the year 2017 there were 94 DUI and DWAI cases filed in Moffat County, Colorado with an average BAC of .155. DUI and DWAI cases are heard in Moffat County Court located at 221 West Victory Way in Craig, Colorado. DUI arraignments are typically held by Judge Gardner on Tuesdays at 8:30AM in Division 2. Court dates and times can be confirmed by contacting the Moffat County Court clerk’s office at 970-824-8254.

If you submitted a breath or blood test in your Moffat County DUI or DWAI case, the law enforcement agency must comply with rules from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Laboratory Services Division. A blood test must be collected in the presence of the arresting officer and the specific instructions for the DUI blood kit that must be followed.

The blood must be collected in a public safety facility or appropriate clinic and sterile equipment must be used. It’s critical that a non-alcohol swab be used when drawing the blood. Specifically, the swab must be an aqueous solution of nonvolatile antiseptic. Two tubes are drawn and the tubes must contain Sodium Fluoride and Potassium Oxalate preservative. Once the tubes are drawn, they must be correctly labeled and sealed in accordance with the directions for the draw and then placed in secured refrigerated storage at less than 8 degrees Centigrade or frozen until shipped. The tubes must be shipped within 7 days of collection. The Defendant’s attorney can have the 2nd tube tested at a certified independent lab within a reasonable period of time. The chain of custody of these vials must also be documented. It’s critical to review the entire blood testing process in the DUI case.

Similarly, a breath test on the Intoxilyzer 9000 machine must be completed in accordance with the same Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Laboratory Services Division rules (5 CCR 1005-2). The machine must be certified and the operator must be certified to operate the machine. According to the rules, the driver must be given a choice of which type of test he/she prefers to take (blood or breath). A 20-minute deprivation period is required before administering the test on the machine. During this 20 minute deprivation period, any foreign material must be removed from the driver’s mouth that is not permanent in nature. No foreign materials should be introduced into the driver’s mouth cavity during the 20 minute period. The cop must observe the driver continuously to ensure that the driver doesn’t belch, regurgitate, or intake any foreign material into the mouth cavity during the 20 minutes. A clean mouthpiece before the 1st blow into the machine must be used. Subsequently, the mouthpiece has to be changed out with a fresh one before the 2nd blow into the machine. Sometimes the cops forget to change out the mouthpiece between the 1st and 2nd blow in the machine. Not changing the mouthpiece between breath samples is a violation of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment rules for evidential breath testing.

The driver must be further observed during the 2nd blow into the machine to ensure that there is no belching, regurgitation, or intake of foreign material. The driver must be removed from the area in close proximity to the breath test machine during the 2 minute period between the breath tests. The breath machine operator must sign the report reflecting the breath test result and attest that the test was completed in compliance with the rules. All printouts produced by the machine must be retained and provided to the driver or his lawyer. Any errors in the testing process could invalidate the result.

DUI and DWAI cases in Moffat County are prosecuted by the 14th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. This office handles all state criminal matters in Moffat, Routt, and Grand counties.

Reckless Driving in Colorado

Published on: May 9, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

I’m often asked by clients why the police have charged them with certain traffic or criminal charges. Unfortunately, that’s a difficult question to answer. However, the thing to keep in mind is that the prosecutor has the burden of proving the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. The driver who is charged has no burden. Cops who charge people with reckless driving have determined that the driver’s conduct “fits” the definition of the charge (or at least that’s their opinion anyway). In other words, the cop has made a determination that he/she has probable cause to charge the driver.

Reckless driving is no doubt a serious charge. It’s 8 points against a driver’s license, it’s a criminal charge, and it’s a habitual traffic offender charge. A driver in Colorado may be charged with Reckless Driving under the state statute or a similar municipal code section. State statute Reckless Driving charges are heard by the county court where the alleged bad driving occurred. These charges are prosecuted by the district attorney’s office for the corresponding county. Whereas, municipal code Reckless Driving charges are brought forth by the city or town prosecutor where the alleged violation occurred and are typically prosecuted under the Model Traffic Code- adopted by the particular municipal court.

Reckless driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor criminal traffic offense under the state statute. The penalty ranges from a minimum of 10 days in jail up to a maximum of 90 days in jail and a fine of $150 up to a maximum of $300. Both a jail and fine may be imposed. Additionally, 8-points will be assessed against a driver’s DMV record. Under the state statute, a district attorney would have to prove that the driver drove a motor vehicle with a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property. Bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles, and low-power scooters also qualify under the reckless driving statute. Reckless driving is often charged in cases when there is an accident, when a high speed is alleged, where drag racing is alleged, when hit-and-run is alleged, and where aggressive driving is alleged.

The possible penalty for reckless driving is even greater in most municipal courts throughout Colorado. For example, in Greenwood Village Municipal Court, reckless driving is punishable by a possible penalty of $2650 and up to 180 days in jail. 8-points are also assessed against a driver’s record in municipal court. In Commerce City Municipal Court, reckless driving carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $2650 fine, or both. The same penalty of 1 year in jail and a $2650 fine applies to reckless driving offenses in Brighton Municipal Court.

The elements for reckless driving under the Model Traffic Code are the same as the elements under the state statute. Those elements are that the person drove a motor vehicle with a wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property. Bicycles, electrical assisted bicycles, and low power scooters also qualify for reckless driving charges under the model traffic code.

Jury trials are available in both county court and municipal court for reckless driving charges. However, in municipal court the defendant must submit a written jury demand and pay the jury demand fee to the Court within the allotted time period. Written jury demands must be filed within 21 days after entry of a not guilty plea and must accompany a jury payment of $25.00 pursuant to CRS 13-10-114 and CMCR 223(a). Some municipal courts require a higher fee for jury trials, thus it’s best to check with the municipal court clerk where the case is being heard to confirm the jury demand fee prior to payment. No jury demand filing or payment is required in county court.

According to the Yanaga case, 635 P.2d 295 (Colo. App. 1981), “knowing” or “wilful” conduct is sufficient to establish the culpable mental state of “recklessness”. Although the police sometimes charge both careless and reckless driving, careless driving is a lesser included offense of reckless driving according to the Chapman case, 557 P.2d 1211 (Colo. 1977). Thus, a driver cannot be found guilty of both careless and reckless driving.

Hot Sulphur Springs, Grand County, Colorado DUI Lawyer

Published on: April 27, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

Grand County, spanning 1870 square miles, is a very popular recreational destination in Colorado. Whether it’s skiing or snowboarding at Winter Park or Mary Jane, or summer hiking near Cascade Falls or Horseshoe Lake Trail, Grand County seems to have endless outdoor opportunities to get away from it all. Unfortunately, some people are arrested in Grand County for driving under the influence or driving while ability impaired while partaking in recreational activities. Because many of those arrested are not residents of the county (or even the state), the court process can quickly become confusing and even overwhelming at times.

Rest assured that if you have been charged with DUI or DWAI in Grand County, you do have options and you do have rights throughout the process. Experienced DUI defense counsel can help you navigate the system and the DUI process to obtain the best possible result when facing a difficult and stressful situation.

First, second, and third DUI offenses in Grand County are misdemeanors. Fourth and subsequent offenses are Class 4 Felonies. Convictions for DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, aggravated driving with a revoked license, and driving under restraint (alcohol-related restraint) are considered to be a “prior” offense under Colorado law. Colorado factors-in prior convictions anywhere in the US over the course of the person’s life. There are no time constraints on the “look back period” for priors- it’s lifetime.

The Grand County Judicial Center is located at 307 Moffat Avenue, Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado 80451. County court misdemeanor DUI and DWAI matters are heard by Judge Catanzarite.

147 DUI and DWAI cases were filed in Grand County Court in 2017, with an average BAC of .155. If a person has been arrested in Grand County for DUI, she must act immediately within 7 days to protect her driver’s license. An administrative hearing request must be filed with the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles.

Kremmling Police, Colorado State Patrol, Grand County Sheriff’s Office, Granby Police, Fraser/Winter Park Police are active police agencies in the county charging drivers with DUI and DWAI offenses.

Drivers who have been pulled over in Grand County will be asked to perform standard field sobriety tests (SFST). These tests typically include, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), walk-and-turn, and one leg stand. Sometimes police will also request other tests such as counting backwards, reciting the alphabet, Romberg balance test, etc. These tests are not easy for everyone to perform. Medical problems, fatigue, complex explanations of how to perform the tests, stress, being nervous, poor coordination, and other innocent reasons can cause a person to perform poorly on the roadside tests. The “graded performance” of a person’s roadside tests is based upon the officer’s subjective opinion and can be challenged in the DUI case.

Jefferson County Colorado DUI and DWAI Charges

Published on: April 26, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

DUI and DWAI cases in Jefferson County, just like any other county in Colorado, must be supported by the evidence. If the case proceeds to trial, the district attorney must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. There must be a legal and valid reason for the initial contact. This is typically the result of some alleged traffic infraction. Thereafter a driver is stopped and contacted by the police. Less frequently, a driver may be contacted from a “consensual encounter” or a roadblock. SFST roadside maneuvers may be conducted, including a PBT portable breath test. A driver doesn’t have to do roadside tests or a portable breath test. They’re all voluntary tests, thus it’s typically a good idea to not do any of them (why give the cops anything that they will try to use against you later? -no reason to.) A potentially admissible chemical test of the driver’s blood or breath typically follows next. Or perhaps the driver refuses. Cops typically look for indicia of alleged impairment throughout this process and collect any statements from the driver that they can use to bolster their case. Each of these pieces of evidence may be challenged in a DUI case.

If there is an illegal stop involved, the driver may gut the prosecution’s case by suppressing all evidence obtained as the result of the illegal police action. A driver must file a motion to suppress evidence in order to initiate this process. Thereafter, the court will have a hearing and rule on the motion. Although the motion may be heard at the time of trial, it’s much wiser to have the suppression hearing well in advance of trial.

The year 2017 saw 1901 DUI and DWAI cases filed in Jefferson County Court in Golden, Colorado, making it the 4th highest in terms of sheer volume of DUI and DWAI cases in the entire state of Colorado. The courthouse is located at 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Golden, Colorado 80401. Many people refer to it as the “mausoleum”. Nine (9) separate county court trial divisions handle DUI cases in Jefferson County Court. Although all 9 divisions are housed within the same court system, the process, case flow, and sentencing practices can vary amongst the divisions. The county court trial divisions presiding over misdemeanor DUI and DWAI cases are as follows: Division C, Judge Burback; Division E, Judge Carpenter; Division B, Judge Fisch; Division F, Judge Moore; Division G, Judge Randall; Division D, Judge Sargent; Division A, Judge Stuart; Division H, Judge Vance; Division J, Judge Woodford. For aggravated first time offenses and second offenses resulting in jail time, it has been the experience of Attorney Robbins that some of the judges in Jefferson County Court believe in in-home detention (as an alternative to jail), and others do not.

Arvada Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Edgewater Police, Golden Police, Lakewood Police, Littleton Police, Westminster Police, Colorado State Patrol, and Wheat Ridge Police are very active in DUI enforcement throughout the county and account for a large number of the cases charged. Smaller police departments such as Bow Mar Police (provided by Columbine Valley Police Department), Lakeside Police, Morrison Police, and the Mountain View Police, account for a smaller portion of DUI enforcement and cases in the county.

DMV Express Consent Revocation Hearings for Jefferson County cases are typically held in-person (rather than via telephone) at DMV headquarters located at 1881 Pierce Street in Lakewood, Colorado. Driver’s license hearings are held separate from Jefferson County Court DUI or DWAI matters. The burden of proof in an Express Consent Revocation Hearing is by a preponderance of the evidence- a civil standard. Preponderance of the evidence is a lower standard of proof than is required in a criminal case which requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Colorado Driving After Revocation Prohibited (DARP) as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) Criminal Penalties 2018

Published on: April 20, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

Driving after revocation prohibited in Colorado is a Class 1 Misdemeanor punishable by a minimum of 6 months in jail up to 18 months jail and a fine of $500 up to $5000. Clearly, driving after revocation prohibited in Colorado is a serious offense.

A driving after revocation prohibited charge occurs when a person who has been found to be a habitual traffic offender at DMV drives a motor vehicle in Colorado. A separate provision of the statue provides that there is a mandatory minimum 30 days jail to be imposed for a conviction for driving after revocation prohibited (DARP), however the court may suspend the mandatory 30 days jail (or a portion of it) if the person completes at least 40 hours of community service up to a maximum of 300 hours of community service. A lot of courts and district attorneys seem to not like this provision of the statute. Many courts and district attorneys believe that jail should be served in all DARP cases and won’t consider community service as a substitute.

A mandatory minimum fine of $3000 shall be imposed in lieu of jail or in addition to jail. The mandatory minimum fine may be suspended entirely or partially if the person completes 40 to 300 hours of community service. The court does not have the discretion to place someone on probation for a DARP offense. If the court agrees to community service instead of jail, the court may vacate a suspended jail sentence upon the person’s successful completion of the community service hours. If the person does not complete the community service hours (if ordered) the court has to impose the mandatory jail and/or mandatory fine.

In prosecuting the charge, the district attorney’s office has to prove that the driver had “knowledge” of the revocation. Knowledge it is an essential element of the charge. The mailing of the notice of the order of revocation from DMV is only prima facie proof of receipt, and it is not conclusive proof. The district attorney’s office also has to show that the person operated a motor vehicle in Colorado while the order of revocation of the person’s driver’s license as a habitual traffic offender (HTO) was in effect.

Aggravated driving with a revoked license occurs when an HTO driver commits any of the following offenses while driving a motor vehicle: reckless driving, vehicular eluding, hit-and-run/failure to report an accident, and eluding or attempted eluding of a police officer. Aggravated driving with a revoked license is punishable as a Class 1 Misdemeanor with a minimum sentence of 60 days jail. It’s important to note that there is no provision in the statute for a person to complete community service in lieu of jail under an aggravated driving with a revoked license charge. Probation may also be imposed for aggravated driving with a revoked license.

If a person is found to be driving under the influence (DUI), driving under the influence per se (DUI per se), or driving while ability impaired (DWAI) and at the same time driving after revocation prohibited, she will be subject to a separate sentence for each offense. Probation for the aggravated DARP charge may run concurrent with the DUI/DWAI charge. Both convictions, if applicable, will be reported on the person’s driving history.

By statute, district attorneys are required to screen all cases where a person is charged with driving under revocation or driving without a driver’s license to determine if the person should actually be charged with the greater offense of driving after revocation prohibited (DARP). Essentially, the district attorney is required to screen all cases to determine if the person charged has been found to be a habitual traffic offender (HTO) at DMV. If so, the district attorney’s office is required by law to charge the person under the DARP law.

Colorado Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) Driver’s License Penalties

Published on: April 20, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

Three (3) or more major offenses in a seven (7) year period will cause the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), to impose severe driver’s license sanctions against a driver. These major offenses include: driving under the influence (DUI), driving while ability impaired (DWAI), driving under the influence per se (DUI per se), reckless driving, driving under revocation, false affidavit or false swearing to DMV, vehicular homicide, vehicular assault, manslaughter-motor vehicle related, criminally negligent homicide-motor vehicle related, aggravated motor vehicle theft, and hit-and-run/leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries or death.

Some out-of-state convictions also qualify. This is an enhanced provision of the statute. If Colorado DMV is aware of a conviction for any of the following offenses out-of-state, charged federally, or charged in a municipal court it may factor in the non-Colorado conviction in reaching a determination that a driver is a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO). Out-of-state (or charged federally) convictions for DUI, DUI per se, DWAI, reckless driving, driving under restraint, vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, manslaughter-motor vehicle related, and criminally negligent homicide-motor vehicle related may trigger an HTO sanction/determination at Colorado DMV. According to the law, it does not matter if the driver is a Colorado resident or out-of-state resident for determination of status as HTO.

If more than one HTO offense is committed on the same day, the law reads that the multiple offenses shall be treated as one offense for purposes of determining HTO status. Thus, if a driver is convicted of both DUI and driving under restraint on the same day, only one HTO strike shall be imposed upon the driver at DMV.

When Colorado DMV has made a determination that a driver is HTO, it will immediately revoke the driver’s license pursuant to CRS 42-2-203. A habitual traffic offender (HTO) will be revoked for a period of 5 years from the HTO determination. However, sometimes HTO drivers may be reinstated early with ignition interlock.

A driver will also be designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender if she accumulates 10 or more traffic convictions of 4 or more points within a 5 year period, based upon date of violation (not date of conviction). Or, she will also be designated as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) is she accumulates 18 or more convictions having a point assessment of 3 or fewer points within a 5 year period (based upon date of violation, note date of conviction).

In light of the Hedstrom case, 662 P.2d 173 (Colo. 1983), the DMV does not have any discretion when making an HTO determination. In other words, if the driver has the reached the threshold qualifying conviction, DMV cannot make an exception to the rule of revoking a driver’s license for 5 years. Further, in light of the Fuhrer case, 592 P.2d 402 (1979), a DMV hearing officer does not have discretion to issue a probationary driver’s license to a Habitual Traffic Offender.

It is also important to note that Habitual Traffic Offenders remain designated as such, even after the 5 year period has passed, until the driver actually goes therough the reinstatement process at DMV. In other words, the HTO status is not automatically lifted at DMV after the 5 year sanction has been completed.

The Habitual Traffic Offender laws in Colorado have developed significantly within the past few years. The HTO designation has become easier for DMV to prove by the use of out-of-state major convictions. Thus it is imperative for a driver to not “achieve” HTO status at DMV to avoid the severe sanction of a 5-year loss of license. HTO status can be avoided if the driver is aware of his prior convictions and successfully navigates the court system, when charged, to resolve his matter to a non-HTO strike.

Colorado Sex Offender Registration Removal (Deregistration) for an Out-of-State Conviction

Published on: April 19, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

In Colorado, it may be possible to be removed from the Colorado sex offender registry even if the out-of-state case resulted in a “lifetime” registration requirement. Colorado laws regarding registration may be less stringent than some other states. Sometimes Colorado residents who are required to register (in Colorado) for an out-of-state case simply continue to register even if they are eligible for removal because the are unaware of the laws in Colorado and/or are unsure about the often times intimidating process of petitioning the court for removal.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) maintains a public open access database to search for persons that are required to register as sex offenders in Colorado. The CBI database provides photographs of the person, information about the offense, the person’s address (including a map), and date of conviction. Not all persons who are required to register are included in the CBI database. Specifically, the CBI open access database excludes information regarding persons who are required to register for misdemeanor cases and juvenile cases.

Many local police departments and sheriff’s departments also maintain their own public open access databases regarding persons required to register in their jurisdiction. Some examples of these online databases include the Denver Police Department, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office– just to name a few.

The first step in commencing the removal process is to determine if the person qualifies under Colorado law for relief from the registration requirement. The person must simply qualify under one of the following five eligibility criteria. 1) If the person successfully completed a deferred sentence or deferred adjudication for a case involving unlawful sexual behavior, or the case was dismissed, he/she may qualify if he/she has not been subsequently convicted or adjudicated for another case involving unlawful sexual behavior.

2) If the person required to register was younger than 18 at the time of the offense related to unlawful sexual behavior and has successfully completed a juvenile sentence from the court, he/she may be eligible for removal/discontinuation from the sex offender registration requirement. Further, he/she must not have been convicted of (or currently have pending) a subsequent case involving unlawful sexual behavior.

3) Misdemeanor unlawful sexual behavior offenses qualify for registration removal after a period of 5 years from the person’s release from the court’s jurisdiction. He/she must not have any subsequent cases involving unlawful sexual behavior since the termination of the court’s jurisdiction in the case which triggered the registration requirement. Third degree sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact are excluded from the 5 year waiting period and are subject to the 10 year waiting period indicated below.

4) Class 4, 5, and 6 Felony offenses as well as Misdemeanor third degree sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact offenses are subject to a 10 year waiting period. In other words, 10 years from the termination of the court’s jurisdiction over the person, or release from the D.O.C. (Department of Corrections) , or release from the Department of Human Services. Further, the person must not have any subsequent convictions or adjudications for unlawful sexual behavior offenses.

5) Class 1, 2, and 3 Felony offenses are eligible after a 20 year waiting period. In other words, 20 years from the termination of the court’s jurisdiction over the person, or release from the Department of Corrections or the Department of Human Services. Further, the person must not have any subsequent convictions or adjudications for unlawful sexual behavior offenses.

Cases which are not currently eligible for sex offender registration removal/discontinuation in Colorado include the following: a) adults with more than 1 conviction or adjudication for unlawful sexual behavior offenses in Colorado or another state; b) sexually violent predators; c) adult convictions for sexual assault, 1st degree sexual assault, 2nd degree sexual assault; d) sexual assault on a child; e) sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust; f) aggravated incest; g) incest; h) sexual assault by a psychotherapist against a client victim.

Petitions to be removed from the sex offender registration requirement for an out-of-state case shall be filed in the district court for the county where the person required to register resides.

Notice of the petition to discontinue sex offender registration must be served upon all police agencies with whom the person is required to register (including the out-of-state police agency/agencies, the prosecuting attorney’s office in all jurisdictions where the police agency/agencies is/are located, and the prosecuting attorney’s office who obtained the conviction or adjudication which initiated the registration requirement (i.e. the out-of-state prosecutor’s office that prosecuted the case).

Once all of the procedural requirement have been met, a hearing will be held by the district court to determine whether the person should be permitted to discontinue sex offender registration in Colorado. Proper preparation for that hearing is critical.

Aurora, Colorado Traffic Tickets

Published on: April 19, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

The Aurora Municipal Court located at 14999 East Alameda Parkway, Aurora, Colorado 80012 presides over violations of the Aurora Municipal Code. These matters include traffic tickets (both traffic criminal offenses and traffic infractions), parks and open space charges, certain criminal matters, neighborhood services charges, overweight commercial truck charges, animal services violations, and fire department related charges. Other summonses issued by the Aurora Police Department for alleged violations of state statues are heard by either Douglas County Court in Castle Rock, Arapahoe County Court in Centennial, or Adams County Court in Brighton.

The Aurora Police Department has 696 sworn officers, making it the 2nd largest police department in Colorado. The city of Aurora covers a sprawling 163 square miles. In light of Aurora’s population (3rd largest city in Colorado) and the number of sworn officers, the Municipal Court sees an abundance of drivers charged with all kinds of traffic offenses and infractions.

Aurora Municipal Court has adopted the Colorado Model Traffic Code.

Traffic infractions in Aurora Municipal Code are punishable by a fine of not more than $2650.00 and points assessed against the person’s driver’s license. Traffic infractions are not criminal offenses. People who are charged with a traffic infraction do not have a right to a trial by jury, they only have a right to a bench trial (trial by judge- also known as a final hearing).

Certain traffic offenses in Aurora Municipal Court are categorized as criminal and therefore the possible penalty is up to 1 year in jail and up to a $2650.00 fine. People who are charged with criminal traffic offenses have the right to a trial by jury but they must pay the jury trial fee and submit a written jury trial demand to the court within the required time period. Criminal traffic offenses under the Aurora Municipal Code include, but are not limited to: careless driving, reckless Driving, speeding 25mph or more over the limit, no insurance, speed contest/drag racing, use of a radar jamming device, eluding a police officer, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and not stopping for a school bus.

If the traffic charge relates to a non-criminal traffic infraction and the person fails to appear in court as directed by the summons, then a “default judgment” will enter including a fine and costs as well as the full points charged in the summons. An arrest warrant will not issue for a failure to appear on a traffic infraction. However, a warrant will issue if the person was charged with any criminal traffic offense(s) in the summons. Sometimes a default judgment that enters for failure to appear on a non-criminal traffic infraction may be set aside for “good cause” or “excusable neglect”. A motion to Aurora Municipal Court to set aside a default judgment on a traffic infraction must be made not more than 10 days after entry of the default judgment. The Court may rule on the motion after the 10 day period, however the motion must be submitted within the 10 day period.

Discovery (police report, officer’s notes, etc.) requests for traffic cases must be made to the Aurora City Attorney’s Office – Criminal Justice Division. Thereafter the person must appear at a scheduled appointment with the City Attorney’s Office to pick up the discovery and review any criminal and/or driving history.

Morgan County Colorado DUI and DWAI Charges

Published on: April 2, 2018 | by Monte J. Robbins, Esq.

In 2017, there were 108 DUI cases filed in Morgan County Court in Fort Morgan, Colorado. These cases had an average BAC of approximately two times the per se legal limit for DUI. The average BAC being 0.155. The number of DUI cases filed in Morgan County Court in 2012 was 137. The average BAC of these 137 cases was 0.147. Thus the sheer number of cases has dropped from the year 2012 to the year 2017 by approximately 27%, however the average BAC has gone up slightly.

Enforcement for Morgan County DUI and DWAI cases comes from several different law enforcement agencies. The Colorado State Patrol frequently patrols the I-76 area and other county wide roads looking for traffic infractions and possible DUI drivers. District 3 of the Colorado State Patrol handles patrol for Morgan County (and the entire Northeast Colorado area) with their local post located at 13360 W I-76 Frontage Road, Fort Morgan, CO 80701.

The Morgan County Sheriff’s Department is also active in the county. Their office is located at 801 East Beaver Avenue, Fort Morgan, Colorado. The Fort Morgan Police Department regularly patrols the City of Fort Morgan and initiates stops for DUI and other traffic matters. Their office is located at 901 East Beaver Avenue, Fort Morgan, Colorado 80701. The Fort Morgan Police Department maintains 28 sworn officers and 5 civilians to serve the residents of Fort Morgan, Colorado.

The Brush Police Department is active in the City of Brush in Morgan County and conducts traffic enforcement activities including DUI enforcement throughout the city of approximately 5000 persons. The Brush Police Department is located at 118 Carson Street, Brush, Colorado 80723.

The Log Lane Village Police Department, with 4 deputy marshals, located at 109 Maine Street, Log Lane Village, Colorado 80705 and the Wiggins Police Department located at 304 Central Avenue, Wiggins, Colorado 80654 also conduct traffic enforcement in their towns within Morgan County. Their traffic enforcement activities also include DUI enforcement.

DUI cases in Morgan County Colorado start out the same way that many of the cases do statewide. There is typically an alleged traffic infraction which initiates the police contact. This initial police contact must be supported by reasonable suspicion and may be challenged at a motions hearing. Traffic infractions varying from speeding, weaving, driving the wrong way on a one way street, REDDI reports (report every drunk driver immediately), no turn signal, headlight/taillight/license plate bulb out are all common infractions the police utilize as grounds for stopping a vehicle. Once the stop is initiated, the police are typically looking for any possible indicia of impairment to include bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech, odor of alcohol, admission to drinking, etc. to then order the driver out of the vehicle where roadside tests are “requested”. Thereafter, often times the driver is arrested even if no roadside tests are performed and asked to submit to a chemical test. Audio and Video is sometimes available for certain DUI stops in Morgan County. Although it is not available for all DUI stops, it can often be a critical piece of evidence to obtain for a defense attorney when investigating a police officer’s allegations in a report. Continue Reading ›