Colorado Driver's License Reinstatement and Appeals Lawyer
Helping Clients Preserve Their Driving Privileges
One does not realize how valuable his or her driving privileges are until they are taken away. Our lives are dependent on our ability to get from place to place freely - from school to work, doctor's appointments to family gatherings, and back again. Additionally, others depend on our ability to drive, which equates to our ability to earn money, live freely, and enjoy life.
At Michael T. Kossen, P.C., Attorneys at Law, we assist our clients in the reinstatement of their driving privileges through the often complicated and confusing DMV reinstatement process. At times the process seems so difficult that many people simply give up and drive illegally, thereby risking further loss of their driver's license and mandatory jail. Let us assist you in this process so that you can return to driving legally and get back on with your life.
Sometimes, an individual's privilege to drive is taken by the State by mistake or even illegally. We can help you with an appeal of a mistaken or illegal revocation or suspension of your driver's license or driving privileges. Let our appeals lawyers help you get your driver's license back.
Have You Lost Your Colorado Driver's License?
To schedule a free consultation regarding the reinstatement of your driving privileges or an appeal of an illegal or mistaken state license revocation or suspension, contact the law office of Michael T. Kossen, P.C. online or call us at 303-791-6500. Do not go it alone or give up. We can help.
Alcohol Revocations Prior to Court Conviction
If you get stopped for drunk driving in Colorado your license can be taken away before and after you go to court.
What is an express consent (refusal) revocation hearing and how long can they take my license?
If a police officer acting with probable cause requests that you take a blood, breath or urine test and you refuse, the State of Colorado may revoke your license for one year on a first refusal, two years on a second refusal and three years on a third or subsequent refusal. This revocation runs consecutive to any other revocation in effect against your driving privilege. You are entitled to a hearing regarding your alleged refusal if you request a hearing, in writing within seven days from the date of the alleged refusal. You should always request a hearing. Furthermore, you should seek an attorney who can represent you at your hearing. Many issues can arise which will make an express consent revocation of your license illegal.
What is a "per se" revocation and how long can they take my license?
If a police officer, acting with probable cause, requests that you take a blood or breath test and the test reveals an alcohol content in excess of .08, the State of Colorado may revoke your license for nine months on a first "per se" action and one year on a subsequent offense. You should seek a criminal defense attorney who can represent you at your hearing. On a first "per se" revocation you can seek early reinstatement with an interlock device on your vehicle after you have been under revocation for one month. An interlock device is a device that is connected to your ignition that does not allow you to start your vehicle if your breath contains certain amount of alcohol. If you obtain the interlock on the vehicle you drive and you and fulfill other requirements you will not have to serve out the entire revocation without driving. Let us help you with the defense of the "per se" revocation and, if necessary, with getting your license back early in the event you do go under revocation.
Alcohol Revocation
First Offense: If you know you are under a valid alcohol related revocation and you drive anyway, you can be convicted of driving under revocation. Furthermore, during the dependancy of your case, you may be required to post a $10,000 bond. Unless you drive under an "emergency" situation, a first conviction for driving under revocation requires a judge to impose between 30 days and one year in jail. The absolute minimum is 30 days on a first offense and there is no guarantee that the judge will impose the minimum, especially if you have a prior driving under revocation conviction more than five years ago. On a first offense, the judge must impose a fine of between $500 and $1,000. You will also face an additional one year revocation of your driving privileges calculated from the date you were eligible to reinstate on the date you got caught driving.
Finally, a driving under revocation conviction constitutes a habitual strike against your driving record. After three major traffic violations within seven years, the Department of Motor Vehicles must revoke your license for five years. You should seek an attorney who can reduce the potential penalties in your case and perhaps retain your driving privileges.
Second Offense Within Five Years: If you know you are under a valid alcohol related revocation and you drive a second time within five years you can be convicted of driving under revocation. Furthermore, during the pendency of your case, you may be required to post a $10,000 bond. A second driving under revocation offense carries a jail sentence of between 90 days and two years.
The absolute minimum is 90 days on a second offense with no guarantee that the judge will impose the minimum, especially if you have more than one prior offense. On a second offense, the judge must also impose a fine from between $500 and $3,000 in addition to court costs. Also, a second conviction within five years requires a four year revocation which runs from the date of conviction.
Finally, a driving under revocation conviction constitutes a habitual strike against your driving record. After three major traffic violations within seven years, the Department of Motor Vehicles must revoke your license for five years. You should seek a good attorney who can reduce the potential penalties in your case and perhaps retain your driving privileges.
The additional one year is calculated from the date you were eligible to get your license back when you got caught driving. You should seek a good attorney who can reduce the potential penalties in your case and perhaps retain your driving privileges.
Second Offense Within Five Years: If you know you are under a valid "non-alcohol" related revocation and you drive, you can be convicted of driving under revocation. Unless you drive under an "emergency" situation, a second conviction for driving under revocation requires a judge to impose between 30 days and one year in jail. Also, a second conviction within five years requires a three year revocation which runs from the date of conviction.
Finally, a driving under revocation conviction constitutes a habitual strike against your driving record. After three major traffic violations within seven years, the Department of Motor Vehicles must revoke your license for five years. You should seek a good attorney who can reduce the potential penalties in your case and perhaps retain your driving privileges.
DRIVER'S LICENSE REINSTATEMENTS
If your driver's license has been suspended, removed or revoked, we can assist you in the reinstatement process. You are not legal to drive a motor vehicle until your license has been reinstated even if you have completed the time period set forth in your revocation or suspension. In the event you get caught driving before being reinstated your initial revocation or suspension may be extended. Reinstatement of your driving privileges can be a frustrating and difficult process when you go it alone. Let us help you get back on the road legally.
EARLY REINSTATEMENT OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE
Even though your driving record at the DMV may show that you are not eligible for reinstatement of your driving privilege many months or even years from now, you may still be eligible for early reinstatement. Let us help you if you are eligible to get your license back now and whether you are eligible for early reinstatement of your driving privileges. We can review your record to determine if your are eligible to get your license back now.
There is no reason to keep looking over your shoulder or placing yourself in further legal jeopardy. You need to get Michael T. Kossen, P.C. on your side to you get your driver's license back and drive legally.
DRIVER'S LICENSE APPEALS
We can assist you in appealing an illegal or mistaken revocation or suspension of your driver's license. You may be eligible to appeal the decision of the DMV and reverse the revocation or suspension entered. There is a time-limit, however, to when an appeal can be filed. In the event you are considering an appeal, contact us immediately in order that you do not lose your right to contest an illegal revocation or suspension of your driving privilege. Get the Law Office of Michael T. Kossen, P.C., on your side to right a wrong that his been done against you. Do not go it alone.
Do you have a revoked or suspended driver's license or do you need help with reinstating your Colorado driving privileges? If so, act now! Set up a free consultation on-line with Michael T. Kossen, P.C. or call our law firm at 303-791-6500 and get your driver's license back!
Based in Douglas County, Castle Rock, Colorado, Michael T. Kossen, Attorneys at Law, serves clients in Denver, the Front Range, Parker, Littleton, Elizabeth, Kiowa, Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch, Monument, Larkspur, Palmer Lake, and Aurora, including El Paso County, Douglas County, Elbert County, Arapahoe County, Denver County, Lincoln County, and Jefferson County. Castle Rock, Colorado is located in the heart of Douglas County and is the home of the Douglas County Combined Court.
