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 Driving on a Suspended License |
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You may think that driving on a suspended or revoked license is not a serious crime, but the state of California treats it as one. There are many explanations why the DMV might suspend your driver's license. Many of these reasons can be considered trivial, and several do not pertain to driving in any way.
Reasons for Suspended Licenses
California courts can suspend driving licenses for a broad range of reasons. Some are automatic, such as a DUI or accumulating too many points on your driver’s license (4 points in one year, 6 in two years, or 8 in three years will generate a suspension). As mentioned, several have nothing to do with driving, such as vandalism, failure to pay legally obligated child support, minor possession of marijuana, and other offenses.
Many individuals are not aware that their license has been suspended until they’ve been stopped or even until they’ve appeared in court. Over and over again, people plead guilty to a traffic citation without understanding that by doing so they are putting their driving privileges at risk. The DMV is required to inform drivers that their licenses have been suspended, but mail doesn't always go where it is supposed to go. Unfortunately, the penalty of not receiving that mail can be harsh.
More alarming than this are the prospective punishments of being caught driving on a suspended driver's license (DSDL charge). These can include:
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A DSDL charge is classified as a misdemeanor criminal charge instead of a simple traffic violation. |
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You can be arrested on a DSDL charge, whether you understood beforehand that your driver's license was suspended or not. |
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If arrested, you will be handcuffed and taken into custody and finally incarcerated in a county jail until you either post bail or are called to appear in court. |
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Theft involving a large amount of money at one time |
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If arrested or cited for a DSDL charge, your automobile can be impounded for up to one month, and/or potentially sold. |
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If arrested or cited for DSDL charge, you will be obligated to appear in criminal court unless you retain an attorney to appear for you. |
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If convicted, you could be put on probation for a number of years and be forced to pay monetary fines of up to one thousand dollars (not including any penalty additions or enhancements) and serve a term in county jail for up to six months. |
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If convicted, the court and prosecutor's office can use this conviction as a "prior" to enhance your punishment in the instance of future arrests, especially if you ever get a second or follow-up DSDL charge. |
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To convict you, the prosecutor must prove beyond a doubt that you were driving a vehicle; that your license was suspended at the time; and that you understood that it was suspended. If you discover the suspension at once, we may even be able to help you dispute it before it takes effect.
Driving is almost a requirement if you live in the state of California. Driving allows people to work, attend classes, care for children, and carry out other vital activities of daily life. Losing your driver's license is debilitating enough, but a criminal charge adds unwarranted stress, as well as being very expensive and socially embarrassing. We can help you defend against these charges, and possibly work to restore your privileges, depending on how early in the case we are retained.
If you are arrested for driving with a suspended license, you need the Inland Empires’ premier driving with a suspended license lawyers. Our criminal defense attorneys’ are here to assist you.
If you or someone you love has been accused of or charged with driving with a suspended license, call us today to schedule your free initial consultation at the law offices of Rizio & Nelson. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so do not delay. Keep your driver’s license and the privileges that go with it! |
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Attorneys on Call 24/7: 951-271-7904 |
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