If you’ve recently been charged with a DUI in Denver, you might be wondering, “Does a DUI put points on your license?” It’s a good question, and it comes with an answer that might surprise you. However, if you’ve recently been charged with DUI in Colorado, license points might be the least of your concerns.
Taking stock of the consequences you’re facing is a good first step after a Denver DUI arrest. Once you understand what’s at stake, it’s easy to see how important it is to contact an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Understanding the Colorado Points System
Like every state, Colorado uses a points system to penalize drivers who break driving laws. Lesser violations are accompanied by fewer points, while more serious ones can add a significant number of points to your Colorado driving record. For a single traffic infraction in Colorado, you can have anywhere from one to 12 points added to your license. However, it’s not uncommon for a single incident to result in multiple offenses, such as being ticketed for driving under the influence (DUI), speeding, and reckless driving at the same time.
If you’re a Colorado driver, it’s important to know how many points you have on your record. Under Colorado law, you can lose your license if you accrue 12 points in a 12-month period or 18 points in a 24-month period.
Have you been charged with DUI in Denver? Let the Law Office of Kevin Cahill help build a strong defense. Call 720-445-9887 today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Denver DUI defense lawyer.
Does a DUI Put Points on Your License in Colorado?
A DUI in Colorado brings points against your driver’s license — and not just a few. A DUI conviction results in 12 points on your license. If that number sounds familiar, it’s because that’s the same number of points it takes to lose your license.
A DUI leads to an automatic 12 points against your driver’s license, which triggers an automatic license suspension. How long you lose your license depends largely on prior DUI convictions. While every DUI in Colorado results in 12 points against your license, the duration of your license suspension changes with each DUI conviction.
Losing Your Colorado License for DUI
For a first-offense DUI in Colorado, you can lose your license for up to nine months. For a second DUI, you can lose your license for up to one year. For third and subsequent DUIs, the license suspension period can last up to two years. Under Colorado law, you can also be charged with DUI for failing to submit to sobriety testing. In this situation, license suspension can range from three months to three years.
In 2023, Colorado changed license suspension consequences after a DUI. Individuals facing a nine-month first-offense license suspension or a one-year suspension may be eligible to have their license immediately reinstated if they have an ignition interlock device installed. The use of these devices is standard in any Colorado DUI case. However, the 2023 changes mean you might not have to wait nine months or a year to be eligible to drive again.
DUI Points Are Only One DUI Penalty
A Denver DUI can have a serious negative impact on your driver’s license. This often creates a ripple effect, leading to insurance price increases, ignition interlock costs, and other inconvenient and expensive consequences. You also have to consider the many other negative penalties that can come from a DUI conviction. These include jail time, fines, community service, drug and alcohol counseling, and probation.
A skilled DUI lawyer can help you avoid DUI points on your license, along with other unwanted consequences like jail time, fines, and probation.
A lot hangs in the balance of your DUI court outcome. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your sentencing will be lenient because a DUI is your first offense. Protecting your future means aggressively defending against the charges with the help of a skilled Denver DUI attorney.
Call a Denver DUI Defense Lawyer Now
Attorney Kevin Cahill is an experienced Denver criminal defense attorney. With over a decade of experience and thousands of cases handled, he has a long track record of success and glowing client reviews that demonstrate he knows what it takes to achieve successful outcomes in Denver DUI cases.
Don’t leave your future to chance. Call the Law Office of Kevin Cahill at 720-445-9887 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced DUI defense lawyer in Denver.