Clearwater Suspended License Lawyer
Driving with a suspended license seems like a relatively everyday offense. However, those caught driving on a suspended license can face felony charges. Further, the damage to your driving record and reputation can make it difficult for you to get insured in the future. The Clearwater suspended license lawyer at King Law Group has experience handling these cases and can help you negotiate a plea that you can live with.
Driving on a suspended license
Driving on a suspended license is considered a second-degree misdemeanor. It is punishable by up to a $500 fine up to 60 days in county jail. A second offense is a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and one year in county jail. A third or subsequent arrest for driving on a suspended license may be charged as a third-degree felony under certain circumstances. This would be punishable by up to a $5,000 fine and five years in prison. The process for determining whether the case should be charged as a misdemeanor or felony is complicated, which is why you should speak with a knowledgeable Clearwater criminal defense attorney at King Law Group if you have been arrested or given a ticket for driving on a suspended or revoked license.
Defenses to driving on a suspended license
To be convicted of the crime of driving with a suspended license, the State must actually prove that you knew your license was suspended. It often happens that licenses are automatically suspended, sometimes without the driver knowing. In these cases, it is possible to get the charges dismissed or reduced. Most other defenses are not as strong as this one. Nonetheless, they include:
- No probable cause for a traffic stop
- Someone else was actually driving
- You were not driving on public roads
In cases where the crime has escalated beyond a second-degree misdemeanor, it is occasionally possible to get the charges reduced to Driving Without a Valid License. Your attorney will be able to advise you on all possible defenses to the charges. A second charge is usually charged as Driving on a Suspended License. This is because after you’ve faced charges related to driving without a valid license or driving on a suspended or revoked license, it is assumed you know your license is suspended. In some circumstances, a person may reasonably believe their license has been reinstated when it actually had not been. That reasonable belief could be a valid defense to driving on a suspended license.
How an attorney can help
While Driving on a Suspended License may seem like a relatively minor charge, prosecutors often take it very seriously and may even seek jail time. The State still has a burden of proof and there are various elements and circumstances that could allow a knowledgeable attorney to help you. The criminal defense team at King Law Group has helped many people reduce serious charges against them or get them dismissed entirely. Call today to learn more about how we can help.
