Logan County License Hearing Guide

Logan County DUI License Suspension & ALR Hearing

After a DUI arrest in Logan County, Colorado, you face two separate legal battles: a criminal case in court and an administrative case with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This guide focuses on the administrative process, specifically how to challenge the potential suspension of your driver's license through an Administrative License Revocation (ALR) hearing. Understanding this process and acting quickly is crucial to protecting your driving privileges.

CRITICAL DEADLINE: Request Hearing Within 15 Days

Following a DUI arrest in Logan County, you have only 15 days from the date of your arrest to request an ALR hearing with the Colorado DMV. This is a strict deadline. Missing it will result in an automatic suspension of your driver's license.

Where to Request: You must request the hearing from the Colorado DMV Hearings Division.

How to Request: You can request a hearing Contact Hearings | Colorado Department of Revenue through one of the following methods:

• Online: You can request a hearing online Requesting an Express Consent Hearing at the Colorado DMV Website - Jay Tiftickjian.
• Phone: Contact the DMV Driver Control at Contact Us - Driver Control | Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle - Colorado DMV
• Mail: Send a written request to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Hearings Division Hearings Division | Colorado Department of Revenue

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline: If you fail to request an ALR hearing within 15 days, your driver's license will be automatically suspended. There is very little recourse once this deadline passes.

Automatic License Suspension

Colorado law mandates automatic license suspensions in DUI cases, depending on the circumstances:

If You Took the Breath/Blood Test and Failed

• BAC Over 0.08: If your blood alcohol content (BAC) was 0.08% or higher, your license will be suspended. The length of the suspension varies depending on prior offenses and other factors.
• Temporary Permit: Upon arrest, the arresting officer should have issued you a temporary driving permit. This permit is valid until your ALR hearing or until the suspension period begins, whichever comes first.

If You Refused Testing

• Refusal Penalty: Refusing to submit to a breath or blood test carries a significantly harsher penalty than failing the test. In Colorado, refusing testing results in a longer license suspension than failing a test Express Consent Cases Procedures - Colorado Department of Revenue.
• Implied Consent Law in Colorado: Colorado operates under "implied consent" laws. This means that by driving on Colorado roads, you have implicitly agreed to submit to chemical testing if a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe you are driving under the influence. Refusal to submit to testing can lead to immediate and severe penalties.

The ALR/Administrative Hearing

What It Is

The ALR hearing is a separate administrative proceeding from your criminal DUI case The DUI Administrative Process | Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle - Colorado DMV. It is conducted by the Colorado DMV and focuses solely on whether your driver's license should be suspended based on the circumstances of your arrest.

• Separate from Criminal Court: The outcome of the ALR hearing does not directly impact your criminal case, and vice versa.
• Decide If License Suspension Is Warranted: The hearing officer will determine whether the officer had probable cause to stop you, whether you were properly advised of your rights, and whether your BAC was over the legal limit or if you refused testing.
• Lower Burden of Proof Than Criminal Trial: The burden of proof in an ALR hearing is lower than in a criminal trial. The DMV only needs to show "a preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not) that a violation occurred, rather than "beyond a reasonable doubt."

How to Prepare

Proper preparation is essential for a successful ALR hearing.

• Gather Evidence: Collect any evidence that supports your case, such as witness statements, dashcam footage, or any documentation that challenges the officer's claims.
• Consider Hiring a DUI Attorney: A DUI attorney experienced in Logan County can help you navigate the ALR process, gather evidence, and present a strong defense.
• Understand What You Can Challenge: You can challenge various aspects of the arrest, including the legality of the initial stop, the validity of the BAC test, and whether you were properly advised of your rights under Colorado's Express Consent law Express Consent Hearings in Colorado - Orr Law Firm.

Possible Outcomes

The ALR hearing can result in one of three outcomes:

• Suspension Upheld: The hearing officer upholds the license suspension.
• Suspension Overturned: The hearing officer overturns the license suspension, and your driving privileges are reinstated.
• Restricted/Hardship License Granted: The hearing officer may grant a restricted or hardship license, allowing you to drive under specific circumstances (e.g., to and from work).

Hardship/Restricted License in Colorado law allows for a restricted license in certain DUI cases, but eligibility requirements apply.

• Eligibility Requirements: You may be eligible for a restricted license if your license was suspended due to a DUI and you meet certain criteria, such as needing to drive for work, school, or medical appointments.
• What You Can Drive For: A restricted license typically limits driving to specific locations and times related to work, school, medical appointments, or substance abuse treatment.
• Costs and Application Process: The application process involves submitting an application to the DMV and paying a reinstatement fee.
• IID Requirement: In many cases, a restricted license requires the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in your vehicle.

Getting Your License Back

Reinstating your license after a DUI suspension involves several steps:

After Criminal Case Concludes

• Reinstatement Requirements: After your criminal case concludes and your suspension period ends, you must meet specific requirements to reinstate your license.
• Fees: You will need to pay a reinstatement fee to the Colorado DMV.
• SR-22 Insurance Requirement: You may be required to obtain SR-22 insurance, which is a certificate of financial responsibility, for a specified period.
• Classes/Programs That Must Be Completed: You may be required to complete DUI education and therapy programs Alcohol and Drug Education Treatment | Department of Revenue - Colorado DMV.

Logan County DMV Offices

The Logan County Department of Motor Vehicles is located at:

• Logan County Department of Motor Vehicles Department of Motor Vehicles | Logan County, CO
• Address:
• Hours:

Special Programs

• Ignition Interlock Device Program: Colorado requires the use of IIDs for repeat DUI offenders and those with high BAC levels.
• Advantage Treatment Centers: Advantage Treatment Centers offers DUI services in Sterling Advantage Treatment Centers - Sterling - Colorado DUI Program - Online Class Advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

**1. Where will my car be towed if I'm arrested for DUI in Logan County?*If arrested by Sterling PD or Logan County Sheriff, the vehicle is almost certainly at Wiggins Junction Towing & Roadside (Sterling Terminal) located at 504 S 7th Avenue, Sterling, CO 80751. The phone number is 970-483-7777.

**2. What is the standard bail amount for a first-time DUI offense in Logan County?*The standard bail amount for a first DUI offense is $1,000.

**3. Where is the Logan County Jail located, and what is their phone number?*The Logan County Jail is located at 110 N Riverview Rd. Room 116, Sterling, CO 80751. The booking/inmate lookup phone number is 970-522-2578 (Option 2).