There are numerous reasons as to why a person’s license becomes suspended, but despite the reason for the suspension, if a person is caught driving on a suspended license, they may be immediately arrested and charged with heavy fines.
Driving on a suspendedlicense is illegal and will be documented as a misdemeanor offense on a person’s criminal record unless the driver has multiple offenses, then the individual will be charged with a felony.
In the state of Florida the penalties for an individual driving on a suspended license are as follows:
First or Second Offense
Third time Offense
A person’s license may be suspended for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons are, driving under the influence, not paying a traffic ticket, not paying insurance, driving without insurance, refusing to take a breathalyzer test, and providing fraudulent information on a driver’s license application. A person’s driver’s license will also be suspended if they accumulate too many points on their license in a particular period of time.
In the state of Florida:
“A person’s license is suspended respectively for either not more than 30 days, not more than 3 months, or not more than 1 year if they accumulate 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 18 months, or 24 points within 36 months.”
In cases such as, driving under the influence, refusal to take a breathalyzer test, and fraudulent information on an application, a driver, is no doubt, aware that their license is suspended. However, in other cases, such as, not paying a ticket, not paying insurance or accumulating too many points on their license, the accused driver may not be aware thattheir license is suspended.
In order for a person to be charged with driving on a suspended license the accusing officer must be able to prove that the driver KNEW that their license was suspended and decided to drive regardless of the fact. If an officer cannot prove that the accused individual knew that their license was suspended, then there was no crime committed.
For example, if a person moved and forgot to notify the DMV of their new address, they may not have received any notifications of their license being suspended and therefore had no knowledge of the crime.
An accused individual may not be aware that their license was suspended and therefore should not suffer the consequences of committing a crime that they had no knowledge about.
Having a suspended license can dramatically affect a person’s life and can cause problems to occur such as the loss of a job andhardships in maintaining a healthy environment for the accused individual’s family. Being charged with driving on a suspended license, because it is a criminal offense, will undoubtedly make matters worse and if it can be avoided it should be.
If you would like to learn more about your charge and are in need of some assistance contact our office today, we are here to help. Here at Finebloom, Haenel& Higgins we have decades of experience fighting criminal traffic violations, such as driving on a suspended license, and we would like to work with you on finding the best solution to your problem. We have the knowledge and experience to reduce or dismiss your charges. There is always a defense strategy to every case, and we will find yours and provide you with the best outcome possible. We are available 24/7 to assist and answer all of your questions. Call us today at 1-800-FIGHT-IT (1-800-344-4848) and let us help you.
Attorney David A. Haenel, renowned in Florida for his excellent record in criminal defense, DUI, and traffic ticket cases, and has been delivering favorable outcomes for his clients since 2000. With a law degree and a Master of Law in criminal law, his background includes a notable tenure as the State of Florida DUI Prosecutor of the Year
