20+ Years of DUI and Criminal Defense
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Built on Trust, Focused on Results
Northglenn Municipal Court Traffic Lawyer – Adams County, Colorado
If you have been charged with a traffic offense in Northglenn Municipal Court, it is important to understand that municipal cases are different from state traffic cases filed in Adams County Court. Northglenn has adopted Colorado’s 2020 Model Traffic Code with local modifications, meaning many offenses closely mirror state law while still being prosecuted in municipal court.
As a Colorado traffic defense lawyer, I represent drivers charged with speeding, reckless driving, careless driving, speed contests, eluding or attempting to elude a police officer, driving without insurance, and other municipal traffic offenses throughout Adams County.
Your Rights in Northglenn Municipal Court
If you are charged with a municipal traffic offense, you have important constitutional and procedural rights, including the right to:
- Be represented by an attorney
- Require the City to prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt
- Plead not guilty and proceed to trial
- Remain silent
- Cross-examine the City’s witnesses
- Present witnesses and evidence in your own defense
- Compel witnesses to appear through subpoenas
- Make a statement before sentencing
- Appeal certain convictions
Penalties for Northglenn Traffic Offenses
The penalties depend upon the specific charge.
Many municipal traffic offenses carry fines, DMV driver’s license points, and increased insurance premiums. More serious offenses may also expose a driver to jail, license suspension or revocation, and other collateral consequences.
More serious misdemeanor traffic offenses—including:
- Reckless Driving
- Eluding or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
- Speed Contest
may carry penalties of up to:
- 364 days in jail
- $1,000 fine
- or both.
Driving Without Insurance carries mandatory minimum fines. A first offense within five years generally requires a minimum $500 fine, although the court may reduce part of the fine if proof of insurance is provided. A second or subsequent offense within five years carries a mandatory minimum $1,000 fine.
Common Northglenn Municipal Traffic Charges
Speeding 20–24 MPH Over the Limit
Driving 20 to 24 miles per hour over the posted speed limit is generally a 6-point traffic infraction. Although typically not a criminal traffic offense in Northglenn Municipal Court, six DMV driver’s license points can have significant consequences for your driving record and insurance premiums.
Criminal Speeding (25–39 MPH Over the Limit)
Driving 25 to 39 miles per hour over the posted speed limit is a criminal traffic offense carrying six DMV driver’s license points. These cases may also expose a driver to fines, jail, increased insurance premiums, and a permanent criminal record.
Because of the potential consequences, these cases should be evaluated carefully for possible legal defenses, mitigation, and opportunities to negotiate a favorable resolution.
Excessive Speeding (40+ MPH Over the Limit)
Driving 40 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit is a criminal traffic offense carrying 12 DMV driver’s license points. These cases are among the most serious speeding offenses prosecuted in Northglenn Municipal Court and may expose a driver to substantial fines, jail, and the possibility of a driver’s license suspension.
Because of the significant consequences, 40+ mph cases should be evaluated carefully for potential legal defenses, mitigation, and opportunities to negotiate a favorable resolution.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a criminal traffic offense alleging that a driver operated a vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Learn more about Colorado reckless driving charges and potential defenses.
Conviction can carry:
- up to 364 days in jail
- substantial fines
- 8 DMV points
Careless Driving
Careless driving alleges driving without due regard for road conditions, traffic, and surrounding circumstances. Learn more about Colorado careless driving laws and defenses.
Although less serious than reckless driving, a conviction can still result in significant points and insurance consequences.
Careless Driving Causing an Accident
Following an accident, officers frequently issue careless driving citations.
The mere occurrence of a collision does not automatically establish careless driving. These cases often require careful review of:
- witness statements
- body-worn camera footage
- scene photographs
- vehicle damage
- accident reconstruction evidence
Careless Driving Causing Injury
When an accident involves bodily injury, prosecutors often view the case much more seriously. Learn more about Colorado careless driving causing bodily injury laws and defenses.
Early preparation and presentation of favorable evidence can often become especially important during plea negotiations.
Speed Contest
Street racing and speed contest allegations are prosecuted as criminal traffic offenses in Northglenn Municipal Court and carry 12 DMV driver’s license points. A conviction may also result in significant fines, jail, and the possibility of a driver’s license suspension.
Because of the serious consequences, these cases should be evaluated carefully for potential legal defenses, mitigation, and opportunities to negotiate a favorable resolution.
Eluding or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer is among the most serious criminal traffic offenses prosecuted in Northglenn Municipal Court and carries 12 DMV driver’s license points. A conviction may also result in significant fines, jail, and the possibility of a driver’s license suspension. Learn more about Colorado eluding charges.
Because of the serious consequences, these cases should be evaluated carefully for potential legal defenses, mitigation, and opportunities to negotiate a favorable resolution.
Driving Without Insurance
Northglenn imposes mandatory minimum fines for insurance violations.
In many first-offense cases, obtaining valid insurance before court may significantly improve the outcome.
Many of these traffic offenses are discussed in greater detail on my Colorado traffic law pages, including Speeding Tickets, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Careless Driving Causing Injury, Eluding Police, Speed Contests, Driving Without Insurance, Colorado DMV Driver’s License Points, Colorado Driver’s License Suspensions, and Body-Worn Camera Evidence.
Jury Trial vs. Court Trial
Many defendants charged with criminal traffic offenses in Northglenn Municipal Court have the right to request a jury trial.
To obtain a jury trial, the defendant generally must:
- file a written jury demand, and
- timely pay the required jury deposit (unless waived because of indigency).
Northglenn permits either a three-person jury or, if requested, a six-person jury. In most cases where a jury trial is strategically appropriate, I generally prefer requesting a six-person jury.
If a jury trial is not requested, the case will be decided by the municipal judge in a court trial.
Important Evidence in a Northglenn Traffic Case
Every traffic case is unique, but important evidence frequently includes:
- Police body-worn camera video
- Dash camera footage
- Officer reports and notes
- Radar and lidar calibration records
- Patrol vehicle video
- Witness statements
- Accident photographs
- Scene measurements
- Medical records (when applicable)
- Driver history
- Mitigation materials completed before court
A careful review of the evidence often identifies weaknesses that may not be obvious from the citation alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about traffic cases in Northglenn Municipal Court.
❓The officer accused me of eluding, but I didn’t realize the police were trying to stop me. Can the charge be challenged?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. In some situations, a driver may not immediately realize that a police officer is attempting to initiate a traffic stop. Whether an eluding charge can be successfully challenged depends on the available evidence, including the officer’s observations, body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, witness statements, and other circumstances surrounding the incident.
Because eluding is a serious criminal traffic offense, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓The officer accused me of street racing, but I was simply trying to get away from another driver, and my car has a loud exhaust. Can the charge be challenged?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. An officer’s conclusion that two vehicles were engaged in a speed contest is not necessarily the end of the analysis. Whether a speed contest charge can be challenged depends on the available evidence, including the officer’s observations, body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, witness statements, and any other relevant circumstances.
Because a speed contest is a serious criminal traffic offense, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓The officer said I was driving 100 mph in a 55 mph zone, but I don’t believe I was traveling that fast. Can the charge be challenged?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. Although excessive speeding allegations can sometimes be challenged, simply disagreeing with the officer’s estimate or the speed shown on a radar or lidar device does not, by itself, mean the charge will be dismissed or reduced.
Instead, the evidence should be reviewed carefully. Depending on the circumstances, that may include the officer’s report, body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, radar or lidar calibration and testing records, witness statements, and any other relevant evidence.
Because allegations of excessive speeding can carry significant penalties—including criminal charges, 12 DMV driver’s license points, and the possibility of a driver’s license suspension—it is important to evaluate the facts carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓I was involved in a traffic accident, and the officer charged me with careless driving. But I believe the other driver was at fault. Can the charge be challenged?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. The fact that an accident occurred does not automatically mean that one driver was careless or legally responsible for the collision. Depending on the circumstances, it may be important to review the officer’s report, body-worn camera footage, witness statements, photographs, physical evidence from the scene, and any available surveillance or dash camera video.
In some cases, additional investigation may reveal facts that support a different conclusion regarding how the accident occurred. Because a careless driving conviction can carry significant consequences, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓I was changing lanes several times to get around traffic, and the officer charged me with reckless driving. Can the charge be challenged?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. A reckless driving charge is not established simply because a driver changed lanes multiple times or because an officer believed the driving was aggressive. Whether the charge can be challenged depends on the available evidence, including the officer’s observations, body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, witness statements, traffic conditions, and any other relevant circumstances.
Because reckless driving is a serious criminal traffic offense that carries significant penalties, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓I already have eight points on my driver’s license, and the officer charged me with a six-point speeding offense. I can’t afford to lose my license. What can I do?
Every case depends on its specific facts. When a driver already has a significant number of DMV driver’s license points, protecting the driver’s license often becomes one of the most important considerations in the case. Depending on the circumstances, there may be opportunities to challenge the charge, negotiate a reduction in the number of points, or pursue another favorable resolution.
Because every driver’s record is different, it is important to evaluate both the court case and the potential DMV consequences before deciding how to proceed.
❓The officer paced my speed instead of using radar or lidar. Can I still challenge the speeding ticket?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. Police officers may use a variety of methods to estimate a vehicle’s speed, including pacing. Whether a speeding charge can be challenged depends on the available evidence, including the officer’s observations, body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, the manner in which the pace was conducted, and any other relevant circumstances.
Because every case is different, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓The officer never showed me the radar or lidar reading. Does that mean the ticket gets dismissed?
Not necessarily. An officer’s failure to show a driver the radar or lidar reading during the traffic stop does not automatically require dismissal of the charge. Whether the citation can be challenged depends on the facts of the case and the available evidence, including body-worn camera footage, officer reports, radar or lidar testing and calibration records, and any other relevant evidence.
Because every case is different, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓I admitted I was speeding because I was nervous. Can my case still be defended?
Yes. Every case depends on its specific facts. Statements made during a traffic stop are only one part of the evidence and do not necessarily determine the outcome of a case. Depending on the circumstances, it may still be appropriate to review the officer’s observations, body-worn camera footage, dash camera video, speed measurement evidence, and any other relevant facts before deciding how to proceed.
Because every case is different, it is important to have the evidence reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
❓What if I received my ticket in a Northglenn Safety Sensitive Zone?
Northglenn has designated certain areas as Safety Sensitive Zones, where the fines for moving traffic violations may be doubled. Under the Northglenn Municipal Code, the doubled fine is generally mandatory and is not subject to plea bargaining. However, the ordinance also provides that the DMV driver’s license points associated with the violation may still be negotiated at the discretion of the municipal prosecutor.
Because every case depends on its specific facts, it is important to have the citation and the surrounding circumstances reviewed carefully before deciding how to proceed.
Northglenn Municipal Court Location
Northglenn Municipal Court is located at 11701 Community Center Drive, Northglenn, Colorado 80233. The map below provides the court’s location and directions.
Related Adams County Traffic Resources
If your case is pending in another Adams County court, you may also find the following resources helpful:
- Thornton Municipal Court Traffic Lawyer – Located just a few miles north of Northglenn, Thornton Municipal Court handles speeding tickets, reckless driving, careless driving, speed contests, and other municipal traffic offenses.
- Adams County Court Traffic Lawyer – Information about state traffic cases filed in Adams County Court, including criminal traffic offenses, DUI, and other Colorado traffic violations.
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