CDL Traffic
Violations Attorney

Bruno Lilly LeClere

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is an important credential, and losing it could result in a steep drop in income. Commercial drivers have little leeway to rack up traffic violations, including stops for DUI, speeding, or reckless driving. In fact, any arrest for a traffic violation could threaten your livelihood. Contact Bruno Lilly LeClere, PLLC, to speak with a Weld County CDL traffic violation attorney. We can fight any traffic violation, including DUI, so that you can stay behind the wheel and provide for your family.

To set up your strictly confidential initial appointment with a Colorado CDL traffic violation lawyer, please call us at 720-340-1373 or connect with us online.

“Disqualifying Offenses” and CDL Privileges

A CDL holder who is convicted of a disqualifying offense will be unable to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). A first offense will result in loss of privileges for one year. If you have a second offense, then you face lifetime disqualification.

Some might think these rules are too harsh, but the government strives to protect public safety. Commercial vehicles are so large that they can cause massive damage when they collide with lighter vehicles.

A “disqualifying offense” is any of the following:

• DUI or DWAI conviction
• Fleeing the scene of an accident
• Commission of a felony in a motor vehicle
• Negligently causing the death of another person while driving a CMV

Even one conviction for a disqualifying offense results in a loss of driving privileges, so it is important that CDL holders respond to any allegation. A second disqualifying offense can result in permanent loss of your license.

“Serious Offenses” and Your CDL

If you are convicted of a serious offense, you face problems as well. Serious offenses include:

• Driving a CMV without a CDL
• Improper lane change
• Reckless driving
• Speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit
• Tailgating
• Violating a traffic law in connection with a fatal accident

Two convictions in a three-year period will result in a 60-day revocation of your license. If you commit a third offense within this three-year window, then you will get a 120-day revocation.

Are You Facing any Traffic Violations?

Anyone with a CDL must immediately respond to allegations that they have committed a traffic violation. The results are potentially catastrophic: loss of driving privileges, job loss, and financial ruin. This is not the time to hope you can represent yourself by doing some research online. Instead, you should hire an experienced CDL traffic violation attorney in Northern Colorado to assist you.

Even one disqualifying offense, like a DUI, is enough to lose driving privileges. But you should seek legal help even if this is only your first serious offense. If you get a second in three years, then you face an automatic revocation. An employer might even fire you, although the revocation only lasts for 60 days.

An experienced lawyer can analyze the evidence to find the weak points. Then we can begin crafting a serious defense to fight any accusation that you committed a disqualifying or serious offense.

CDL and DUI

DUI is more serious than speeding or illegal lane changes. Indeed, you will lose your driving privileges for a full year for even a first offense. A CDL DUI attorney is an essential asset when it comes to building a defense to any accusation that you were intoxicated.

If you have a prior DUI, even one from outside Colorado, then your career is on the line. A second DUI can result in a lifetime ban. Although some drivers might be reinstated after sufficient rehabilitation, no one should risk the possibility of losing their license for the rest of their lives. This reinstatement process is lengthy, and a trucker cannot seek reinstatement for 10 years.

An attorney will develop a strategy to help you keep your license:

• Get charges reduced to a non-disqualifying offense. For example, we might seek to have your DUI charge reduced to reckless driving. That is still a serious offense, but you might not suffer an immediate revocation, depending on your driving history.
• Have charges dropped. Sometimes the evidence is so weak that we can convince the state to dismiss charges. Or else we convince a judge that the officer had no reason to stop you, in which case the arrest is unconstitutional.
• Fight for an acquittal. It is never ideal to let a case go to trial, but you might have no choice. The state is not obligated to offer a generous plea to commercial drivers. You can be sure our CDL DUI attorney knows how to effectively fight in the courtroom.

Let’s get to work reviewing the evidence to determine the best path forward.

DUI Charges and Test Refusals

Some drivers refuse a breath or urine test after being arrested for drunk driving. This refusal will still count as a strike against you. A first refusal will result in a one-year loss of driving privileges, so you gain nothing by refusing to take the test.

A second refusal will result in a lifetime ban, the same as if you had been convicted. Still, there are ways to fight these charges, including challenging the legal basis for the stop.

Misconceptions about DUI & a CDL

One myth is that you can still drive if you get a restricted license. That option is not available for someone with a CDL. You might be able to continue to drive your personal vehicle, but federal law will suspend your driving privileges for a CMV.

Another myth is that the blood alcohol threshold is the same for CDL holders as regular drivers. It is actually lower: 0.04% when you are operating a CMV. That might only be a couple of beers, depending on a person’s size.