Alcohol & License Revocation
Your next question is probably, "What happens now?"
- If your ticket is a penalty assessment, that is, it has a fine amount on it, you can pay the ticket by or prior to the court date. We accept cash, checks, or money orders. Sorry, we are not set up to accept credit/debit cards or electronic payments at this time.
- If your ticket is a summons, that is, it has "Summons" written on it and no fine amount, you must appear in Court. There MAY be a possibility of the Judge granting you a deferred sentence.
- If you feel you are innocent and want to contest the ticket, you can appear in court on your court date, which is written on your ticket.
Be Advised! You could have your driver's license revoked if you plead guilty or are found guilty of any of the offenses listed above!
Your options are outlined below. If you have questions, please call the City Court at 641-8170. We can't give you legal advice but we'll be glad to answer your questions about court procedures and potential fines.
If your ticket is a penalty assessment....
(Which means there is a fine amount written on the ticket)
If you chose to plead guilty and pay the ticket without going to court, you can mail the fine amount found on your ticket, using cash, check or money order payable to the "City of Gunnison" to City of Gunnison; P.O. Box 239; Gunnison, CO 81230, or you can pay in person at City Hall; 201 W. Virginia Avenue in Gunnison. The Court Clerk's office is on the first floor off the Virginia Avenue entrance. Sorry, we are not set up to accept credit/debit cards or electronic payments at this time.
Your ticket is then mailed by the Court to the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for processing by the State. You will automatically be assessed 24 hrs. of useful community service by the Court and this will be noted on the ticket sent to the DMV. Community service is contracted through Gunnison County Alternative Services at a cost set by the County. Even if you have an out-of-state drivers license - most states have an agreement with Colorado and the revocation will be sent to your home state. DMV will send you a notice of driver's license revocation to your address on the ticket and you will then deal with the State - NOT the Gunnison Municipal Court - to get your license reinstated.
Driver's License Revocation
In 1998, the Colorado State Legislature passed House Bill 98-1160, requiring persons convicted of specific charges including: underage purchase of alcohol, underage consumption/possession of alcohol, or possession of marijuana; have their driver's licenses revoke for a period of 3 months or until their Court-ordered community service is completed. This is for the first offense. For a second offense, the license is revoked for a period of 6 months & 48 hours of Community Service must be completed. This is mandatory and your license will be reinstated only after 6 months, regardless if you finish the Community Service before then. For the third offense and up your license is revoked for 1 year. If you have questions regarding this portion of the revocation you can call the DMV at 303.205.5613.
Upon receipt of your conviction, the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will notify you via letter of the suspension of your license. You will then deal with the State DMV, not Gunnison Municipal Court, to reinstate your license. Since you have had your license revoked, it is like getting a new license. Listed below is an approximation of what the total costs could be for your conviction:
- Fine $100.00
- Court Costs: $ 20.00
- SafeRide Surcharge: $ 30.00
- Alternative/Community Service $ 120.00
- Deferral Fee $ 50.00
- Reinstatement Fee $ 60.00
- License Test Fee $ 36.00
- Cost of New License $ 15.00
Total Costs: $431.00
In addition, depending upon your insurance company, there may be additional insurance fees imposed by your individual company, or they may elect to drop your policy.