Colorado Misdemeanor Crime Defense Lawyer
Colorado Springs Sex Offense Defense Attorney
If you are facing Colorado misdemeanor charges, we can help. At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we have more than ten years of experience, which we have devoted to defending clients charged with crimes, including felonies. Our Colorado Springs misdemeanor defense lawyers are ready to put that experience to work for you.
United States law recognizes three broad classes of legal violations: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Misdemeanors are generally crimes for which an individual may be punished by up to but no more than one year in prison. Felonies, conversely, are generally defined as crimes that can carry penalties of more than a year in prison. Infractions are minor violations of the law that do not reach the level of severity of even misdemeanors.
The distinctions among these three classes can get blurry. For instance, if you get a parking ticket for failing to pay a meter, your ticket will be considered an infraction. The violation will most likely not be used by employers, loan officers, or landlords to evaluate your fitness. However, if you hurt another person or destroy property with your car, you can be cited for a misdemeanor -- or even a felony, depending on the circumstances and the severity of damages done.
In Colorado, you can get a misdemeanor for a traffic violation if, for instance, you drive recklessly, you drive without insurance or without a legitimate driver's license, or if you drive while under the influence of narcotics or alcohol. Colorado defines "DUI" driving as driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher. For minors under the legal drinking age of 21, a blood alcohol level of just 0.02% is enough to merit a so-called Baby DUI.
While traffic related felonies are much rarer than traffic related misdemeanors, they can and do occur with some frequency. Examples might include vehicular assault and vehicular manslaughter.
Colorado law describes infractions as "petty offenses." There are two classes -- 1 & 2. A Class I petty offense carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a fine of $500. A Class 2 petty offense carries a maximum sentence only as described by the offense.
Colorado misdemeanors have three classes. A Class 3 misdemeanor carries a minimum sentence of $50 and a maximum sentence of six months in jail and/or a fine of $750. A Class 2 misdemeanor carries a minimum sentence of three months in jail and/or a $250 fine and a maximum sentence of twelve months in jail and/or a fine of $1000. A Class 1 misdemeanor, finally, carries a minimum sentence of six months in jail and/or a fine of $500 and a maximum sentence of a year-and-a-half in jail and/or $5000 in fines.
For assistance defending against misdemeanor charges in Colorado, connect with Colorado Springs misdemeanor defense attorney Timothy Bussey here at our criminal defense website. For more than twelve years, Mr. Bussey has worked tirelessly on behalf of Colorado defendants. He has settled a thousand-plus cases and gone to trial over a hundred times. Not only has he worked as an Assistant Attorney General, but he has also served as a Judge Advocate in the Air Force. Call to set up a confidential appointment with us today at (719) 475-2555.
Colorado Springs DUI lawyer Timothy Bussey at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. in Colorado represents clients in Colorado Springs and throughout El Paso County, including the cities of Fountain, Manitou Springs, and Monument.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 475-2555
Fax: (719) 475-0046