Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Terrell Suggs, pled not guilty to two misdemeanor charges: driving with a suspended license and hit and run. Both charges carry possible jail time, but it is not mandatory. Suggs reportedly caused some property damage but failed to stay on scene. His license is allegedly suspended because of speeding tickets.
Colorado’s laws related to driving on a suspended license and hit and run have multiple subsections, which means there are many reasons or ways a person can be charged with these types of offenses.
Driving Under Revocation, Suspension or Denial:
- For an alcohol related driving offense: if a person’s privilege is revoked because of an alcohol related driving allegation;
- For excessive points: if a person accumulates too many points against their driving privilege in too short a period of time;
- For financial obligations: if a person has failed to meet a financial obligation.
While each of these charges is the same level of offense (unclassified misdemeanor), the consequences are slightly different for each type. For example, if a driving privilege is being held due to a financial obligation, as soon as the financial obligation is paid, the driver can submit an application for reinstatement. In contrast, the other types of restraints have a specific revocation period that must be served before the driver is eligible for reinstatement. As another example, if a person is convicted of driving under restraint for an alcohol related revocation, the charge carries a minimum mandatory 30 day jail sentence, while the other types have no mandatory jail time.
Hit & Run:
- Damage to property
- Damage to occupied vehicle
- Damage to unoccupied vehicle
In all types of hit and run, there must be damage caused. If damage is caused, the law requires a person to contact police. Regardless of the type of hit and run, 12 points are assessed against a driver’s license, which would result in a points suspension. Hit and run is also a major traffic hit. If a driver accumulates too many major traffic hits in too short a period of time, the driver is labeled a habitual traffic offender by DMV, resulting in a 5 year revocation. Other examples of major traffic hits are driving under restraint (all types) and DUI or DWAI.