California Vehicle Code 14601.1(a) VC is the stature that makes it legally wrong for an individual to purposely drive with a revoked or suspended California driver’s license. It is a misdemeanor offense that is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1000 fine and court fees.

If you or someone you know has been arrested with charges of driving with a suspended driver’s license in California, then you should seek legal help to avoid conviction.

Here at the Law Offices of Marc Grossman, we have experienced Upland personal injury attorneys who can help you if you’re charged with driving with a license that has been suspended.

Driving with a Suspended License Defined

Vehicle Code 14601 indicates numerous traffic violations for which your license could be suspended for a certain period. Traffic law violations such as driving under the influence (DUI), refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test, reckless driving, and physical or mental disabilities could lead to a suspension of license.

A violation of driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor. This offense can be punished by custody in a county jail or substantial fines. For first-time offenders, this could bring a fine of $300 to $1000 and a jail time of 5 days up to 6 months. For second-time offenders, penalties can include a fine of $500 to $2000 and a jail time of 10 days up to a year. If your license was suspended because you were driving under the influence (DUI), a jail sentence with a minimum of 30 days and a compulsory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) is included in either of the sentences above.

How Is Someone Convicted of This Offense?

For a prosecutor to convict someone, they must prove that an offender is guilty of the following:

• The defendant drove a vehicle while their California driver’s license was revoked or suspended;
• The defendant knew that their driving privileges were revoked or suspended when they drove the vehicle

Note that for a defendant to be guilty under this statute in California, they must know that their state license was suspended. This can only be presumed if the following are proven to be true:

• The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sent a notice for an Order of Suspension/Revocation to the defendant informing them that their driving privilege has been temporarily revoked or suspended
• The suspension notice was sent to the offender’s most recent address
• The notice wasn’t returned as unclaimed or undelivered to the DMV

Other Related Offenses

Other traffic offenses are similar to or are often charged together with driving using a suspended license in California:

• Driving without your driver’s license: is only an infraction and carries only the possibility of a fine but no jail time. It only requires you to prove that you had a valid driver’s license at the time that you were driving the vehicle
• Driving under the influence: those who fail the blood alcohol (BAC) test done by a law enforcement officer will mostly get their license suspended. They’ll be issued a temporary license valid for 30 days and must immediately request a hearing in DMV within 10 days. If proven guilty, a first-time DUI offense is punishable by a fine of $1000, an ignition interlock device (IID) will be installed in the vehicle and a completion of a DUI class that is state-approved is required.
• Reckless driving: different from negligent driving, reckless driving is driving a vehicle without any reasonable caution and regard for the safety of others. It is punishable by a maximum of 3 months in hail, 1-month suspension of your driver’s license, and a vehicle impounding. For a second offense, it is punishable by 6 months in jail and the suspension of your license for one year.

How an Upland Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

If you or your loved one is charged with Vehicle Code 14601 driving on a suspended license, and you want to hire an experienced defense attorney for representation, contact us at the Law Offices of Marc Grossman.

We are experienced in dealing with license suspension, license revocation, and other criminal offenses related to driving. We can also help you process your license reinstatement after suspension. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Despite being a crucial aspect of daily life, not a lot are familiar with the California vehicle code. Some believe that a drunk, intoxicated, negligent, or reckless motorist will right away have his or her license suspended revoked. Some think that such a license will be canceled forever as punishment. To help clear things about these matters, below are ten common questions on driving on a suspended license:

1) For what reason will my driver’s license be suspended in California? 

There are numerous reasons why your license could be suspended. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of DUI, or have been involved in a hit and run accident, you could be facing a suspension.

2) How about a traffic offense that led to a ticket?

Keep in mind that your actions as a motorist shall be according to traffic laws. Depending on the actual circumstance, if you fail or actively refuse to pay fines and penalties for a traffic ticket, these unsettled tickets could also lead to a suspension.

3) What about habitual offenses?

It is unlikely that you will face license suspensions and be charged with a misdemeanor for a speeding ticket that you eventually settled. However, being a habitual offender or disregarding traffic tickets from previous traffic violations is a different story.

4) Aside from not being able to comply with the vehicle code, are there other reasons?

Under the relevant statute, not being able to appear in court, missing a hearing, or failing to fulfill probation terms can also lead to the suspension of a license and the driving privileges that come with it. Refusing to pay child support can also lead to a suspended driver’s license of the offender.

5) Will the above lead to misdemeanors?

Driving while suspended is generally considered a misdemeanor criminal offense. When facing a license suspension, do not attempt to interpret a court order and deal with criminal charges by yourself. It is recommended that you consult with a reliable criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can.

6) How will the above proceeding go? 

If you were caught driving on a suspended license, the district attorney shall file a criminal complaint against you. Attend court hearings with your defense lawyer and if the prosecutor summons you, make sure to appear in the concerned criminal court.

7) What if I fail to do so?

Depending on the offenses cited and the actual traffic citation, you could be arrested and punished for both driving while your license is suspended and for failure to appear in court. As would be explained by your criminal defense lawyer, showing up is a crucial step if you want to avoid jail time.

8) Is it possible to reduce or avoid the consequences of the charges?

Through the help of a defense attorney who specializes in traffic violation and misdemeanor cases, such is possible. Depending on the actual circumstance, your defense strategy, and how your criminal defense attorney will handle the proceedings, you could avoid conviction and even have your case dismissed.

9) Is reinstating a suspended license possible?

Reinstatement is not easy but is not impossible. License reinstatement would not be as difficult if you follow the legal process carefully. In general, the first step to have your license reinstated is to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on how to have holds removed from your record.

10) What else do I need to prepare for my license restoration or reinstatement?

Submit to the California DMV all of the required paperwork and pay applicable reinstatement fees. The DMV office will then reinstate your driver’s license within standard processing times. Issuance of the new license card often takes several weeks, but a temporary document would be provided.

In case your driver’s license has been suspended and you still drove your vehicle, contact a lawyer who specializes in criminal and driving law. With legal help from the right people, you can avoid being charged with a grave offense by paying the fines and penalties. Not a lot are aware that the court allows an individual to make use of a payment plan.

One basic advice given by some is to not do anything unlawful or improper if you do not want law enforcement to suspend (or revoke) your license to drive or to operate a motor vehicle. This is, of course, easier said than done. Driver’s licenses may be suspended for driving laws that were violated for several reasons. In most instances, dealing with license suspension and driving while your license is suspended is not as simple as it may seem.

If you find yourself in such a circumstance, seek legal assistance to avoid further damaging your driving record and criminal record. Talk to us at the Law Offices of Marc Grossman for a free consultation. Call 855-5664-911 today.

A ‘hit and run’ occurs when a driver crashes into another vehicle, pedestrian, or any object along the road and immediately flees. The key here is that the individual left the scene of the accident without assisting the accident victims or leaving any contact information. Speeding and negligent or reckless driving may cause collisions or hit and run accidents. It may also happen if you unintentionally crashed into another car in a parking space or while attempting to park on the side of the street. The state law forbids a motorist from leaving the scene wherein another driver’s property has been damaged without disclosing their contact details.

A hit and run accident under Vehicle Code § 20002 is classified as a misdemeanor offense. If the criminal conviction is recorded under misdemeanors, offenders would have to face costly fines, penalties, or even imprisonment in county jail.

However, a misdemeanor criminal conviction may be aggravated depending on the severity of the car accident. Car accident cases that result in fatalities are classified as felony criminal offenses. If you have been involved in a vehicle crash, contact the police department and call your accident attorney right away.

You may be considered guilty of a hit and run accident if you left the scene of the accident and failed to disclose yourself to the other party. You may also be proven at fault if you have caused property damage or serious injuries to the accident victims. If you intentionally did not stop after the accident and did not exchange necessary information such as your name, license plate number, and address, you may be prosecuted for hit and run offense.

Criminal charges of misdemeanor hit and runs include a potential sentence of up to 6 months in county jail, a significant amount of fine, or both. Punishments may also include three years of probation, compensation for property damage, and two points on your driving record.

When it comes to vehicular accidents, the other party needs to provide sufficient evidence for you to be proven guilty. There are potential defense strategies that may be used in a misdemeanor criminal case of hit and run. It is possible that the defendant is not aware that a traffic collision happened. Also, your accident lawyer may argue that no damage occurred or the property damage only happened to your vehicle.

There are other related criminal violations under the vehicle code. This includes:

• Driving without a valid driver’s license. This criminal offense applies not only to those who do not have a license in California but also to those who failed to renew their driver’s license. It is not uncommon for an elderly who did not remember to renew his license to unintentionally continue driving his car. For this violation, it must be proven that you are the one who operated the vehicle without a valid license. 
• Driving under the influence. DUI is referred to as driving while under the influence of alcohol or any drug substance. This can affect a driver’s ability to drive safely. Depending on whether it was a first or repeated offense, you may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI. Prosecutors, however, must first obtain strong evidence to prove that you were drunk driving.
• Aggravated hit and run. A misdemeanor may be aggravated if accident injuries were sustained by those involved or someone was killed by the vehicular accident. The charges against you may be raised to a felony if you fled the scene of the accident without helping the car accident victims. It must be proven that the accused who was operating the vehicle (that led to accident injuries or caused a fatal crash) failed to stop to give assistance and contact details.
• Driving under the influence with an injury. Drinking and driving is never a good idea. A DUI that caused serious bodily injury to those involved in an accident is generally considered a felony offense (regardless if it was a first or repeated offense). Sufficient evidence is needed to prove that the accused offender was really under the influence when he drove the vehicle. The prosecutor must show that there was unlawful behavior or failure to perform lawful responsibility causing bodily harm to another party.
• Speeding. Speeding beyond the legal limit is dangerous and can cause a collision that involves great bodily harm on the part of the victims. Take for example a motorist who deliberately engages in a speed exhibition. An exhibition of speed is, by definition, driving at an extremely dangerous rate to show off. Participating in a highway race can cause serious injuries to other drivers or pedestrians and may also cause property damage.

A hit and run accident is a punishable criminal violation. Regardless if you are charged with a misdemeanor offense or a possible felony, it is highly recommended that you hire a credible and experienced criminal defense lawyer. Call a trusted local attorney immediately if you are involved in a car accident.

Seek legal help and assistance to protect your legal rights. Talk to our experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Marc Grossman. Call us at 855-5664-911 for a free consultation.