Penalties for Denver Traffic Tickets (1437 Bannock St. Courthouse)

Denver traffic tickets are confusingly prosecuted under two (2) separate codes. Some traffic violations are prosecuted under the Denver Municipal Code, whereas other traffic charges are prosecuted under the Colorado Revised Statutes. The Denver City & County Building (the old courthouse) located at 1437 Bannock Street handles traffic violations prosecuted under the Denver Municipal Code (and some state statute traffic violations as well). These violations are heard in courtrooms 135, 100K, and 105A. If the Denver traffic ticket you received is yellow/gold in color and has a case number/serial number running down the side of the ticket starting with a letter (typically B, C, D) and then some numbers, your case will be heard in the old building at 1437 Bannock Street.

The penalties for Denver Municipal Code traffic violations depend upon the nature of the charge. Certain violations are criminal and others are traffic infractions. Criminal traffic violations carry the possibility of jail time, whereas traffic infractions do not. The General Penalty for Denver Municipal Code Offenses is a $999.00 fine and 300 days in jail. Other non-traffic offenses carry an increased penalty due to the “risk of harm to the community”. These offenses are characterized as “Class 1 offenses” and carry a max penalty of $999.00 and 1 year in jail. “Class 2 offenses” carry maximum jail of 60 days and no fine.

The following are designated as criminal traffic offenses under the Denver Municipal Code: disobedience to police/fire department officials, eluding/attempt to elude the police, misuse of license plates (a/k/a fictitious plates), tampering/defacing a traffic control device, reckless driving, speeding 25mph or more over the limit, careless driving, drag racing, failing to yield to emergency vehicles, failing to stop for a school bus, failing to stop for railroad crossing (applies to certain vehicles carrying passengers), not having a parade permit, slugs in a parking meter, tampering with a parking meter, failing to yield to a pedestrian at a school/red flashing light, numerous code provisions relating to bicycles, numerous code provisions for trucks and truck/trailer combinations, specific vending/food truck regulations, various regulations on the height and width of vehicles, and other offenses under the state traffic code (Colorado Revised Statutes). Some state traffic offenses such as driving under restraint are prosecuted by the City Attorney’s Office in the old courthouse. Furthermore, any traffic violation that is not specifically designated as a “traffic infraction” is by default a criminal traffic offense under the Denver Municipal Code.

The Denver Municipal Code sets forth two classes of traffic infractions. Class A and Class B traffic infractions. The various violations will carry different point assessments based upon the charge.

Thus, the bottom line here is that the Denver Municipal Code as it relates to traffic offenses and infractions is quite simply enormous. In addition to the Denver Municipal Code provisions, one must also be familiar with the Colorado Municipal Court Rules and Colorado Rules of Evidence.

Denver Traffic Lawyer Monte Robbins has extensive experience handling traffic matters in Denver County Court and is results-driven in all the matters he handles. Contact Mr. Robbins today for a complimentary case evaluation at 303-355-5148 or complete the “Contact Us” request form and receive a prompt phone call to discuss your case.