Restraining orders play a major role in Colorado domestic violence cases, designed to protect alleged victims and prevent further conflict. However, these orders can also lead to confusion and unintended violations, especially when the terms are unclear or communication happens through third parties or shared responsibilities such as child custody. What may seem like a harmless text message, a social media interaction, or even an unplanned encounter can result in
Driving After Revocation Prohibited (or “DARP”) applies to habitual traffic offenders who operate a motor vehicle while their driving privileges are under revocation. This offense is a class 1 misdemeanor, and is punished aggressively across the state.
The mandatory minimum sentence for DARP is a thirty day sentence in the county jail. This sentence can be suspended if the defendant completes between forty and three hundred hours of community service. An individual convicted of DARP cannot be sentenced to probation.
A person commits the offense of Aggravated Driving With A Revoked License if he is a habitual traffic offender and, during the same criminal episode, both drives with a revoked license and commits one of the following: DUI, reckless driving, DWAI, vehicular eluding, or failure to report an accident. This offense is elevated to a class 6 felony, and therefore is subject to a sentence in the department of corrections.
A conviction under this law, whether non-aggravated or aggravated, would constitute a habitual traffic offender strike. Additionally, a conviction would result in a mandatory one year revocation of driving privileges on top of (and in addition to) any other revocation.
Because DARP is such a serious offense, and is punished so severely, it is advisable to consult immediately with a criminal defense attorney should you face such charges.
