Suspended License Lawyer

Driving with Suspended License Is a Crime

Contact a suspended license lawyer if your driver license has been suspended or revoked.

You may think that it’s no big deal to hop into the car for a quick trip to the store, or to take your child to an activity. Think again.

If you’re caught driving with a suspended or revoked license in New York City, you will face criminal charges and penalties.

I’ve defended people accused of crimes, included driving with a suspended diver license, for more than 25 years.

I understand how confusing and overwhelming the legal process can be. So I take the time to explain the facts and law of the case with each person I consult. I’ll evaluate your case to determine if there possible defenses to the charge, and how to get the best possible outcome in court.

Why Your License May Be Suspended

There are many possible reasons why your license may be suspended, ranging from criminal charges to civil issues that the state has decided are punishable by license suspensions. These include:

• Pending DUI/DWI Charges
• Refusal to Submit to a Breathalyzer Test
• DUI/DWI Conviction
• Failure to Pay Traffic Tickets
• Lapse of Automobile Insurance
• Failure to Pay Child Support

No matter what the reason for your license suspension or revocation, if you are caught driving with a suspended license, you will face criminal charges that carry the possibility of heavy fines and even jail time. Contact a suspended license lawyer immediately.

Overcoming Suspended License Charge

The need to go to work or run an errand is no defense to a driving with a suspended license.  

However, there are potential defenses to these charges – each of which we’ll explore to determine if we can get the charges reduced or dismissed.

To prove a driving with a suspended license charge, the prosecutor must prove not only that your license was suspended and that you were driving. The prosecutor must also prove that you were aware that your license was suspended or revoked. In some instances, such as suspension for failure to pay traffic tickets, it is possible you were never notified of your license suspension, which means that the state may not be able to prove that element of the crime.

Don’t Incriminate Yourself

If police ask, “Do you you know your license is suspended?” don’t reply, “Yes.”

If you answer yes, the prosecutor will have a much easier time proving the most difficult element of the charge: that you were aware while driving that your license was suspended.

The prosecutor will use your statement to the officer – “Yes” in response to “Do you know your license is suspended?” – as simple but effective proof of the most difficult element of the crime to prove: you knew when you were driving that your license was suspended.

You have the constitutional right not to incriminate yourself. If your license is suspended, you will be charged with a crime whether you answer the question or not. If your license was suspended on many occasions, you might be charged with a felony. You need to discuss all of this with your suspended license lawyer.

So, if police stop you while driving and ask, “Do you know your license is suspended?” the correct answer is: “I want to speak with my lawyer.” This statement can’t be used as evidence against you in court.

Mitigation

If your license is suspended failing to show up in court to resolve traffic tickets, or to pay fines associated with traffic infractions, resolving the underlying issue might help favorably resolve your criminal case.