Traffic & Serious Traffic Offenses
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., former Colorado Deputy District Attorney. Points, licenses, and the tickets that are bigger than they look — Colorado traffic defense.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
Some “tickets” are actually crimes
Plenty of Colorado traffic charges carry jail, a criminal record, or the loss of your license — not just a fine. And points stack quietly toward a suspension. We fight the charge and protect the license at the same time, because winning one and losing the other isn’t winning.
Ready when you are — talk it through with Attorney Liken.
Your choice: no-charge 20-minute phone call OR in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.
Don’t just pay the ticket
Paying a Colorado ticket is a guilty plea — points and all. Before you do, a quick look tells you whether it threatens your license or your record, and whether it’s worth fighting.
Frequently asked questions
Should I just pay a traffic ticket in Colorado?
Paying a ticket is a guilty plea — it adds points to your license and can raise insurance rates. For serious tickets, points that threaten a suspension, or CDL holders, contesting is often worth it. For minor tickets it sometimes is not, and the firm gives you the honest cost-benefit.
How many points before I lose my license in Colorado?
It depends on age. Adult drivers generally face suspension at 12 points in 12 months or 18 points in 24 months, while minors and new drivers face much lower thresholds. Because points accumulate, one more ticket can be the tipping point.
What is the difference between a traffic infraction and a misdemeanor?
An infraction is a civil matter — you pay a fine and take points. A traffic misdemeanor, such as reckless driving or driving under restraint, is a criminal charge that can carry jail and a permanent record. The label changes everything about how the case is handled.
Do CDL holders need to treat tickets differently?
Absolutely. Commercial drivers face stricter rules and cannot use traffic school to mask points, so even a minor ticket can threaten a livelihood. CDL cases deserve a hard look before you pay anything.
Take the first step. We'll take it from there.
No-charge 20-minute phone consultation, or an in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.