What Are the Penalties for Driving with a Revoked or Suspended License?

There are multiple reasons for getting your license suspended, from unpaid parking tickets to excessive moving violations, neither of which is a criminal offense. But if you made the decision to drive during your license suspension, you may be facing criminal charges in Massachusetts. Even quick runs to the store or to pick up a friend are not a safe bet on a suspended license. You can be stopped for multiple reasons, even without a moving violation. In addition, law enforcement has a tool called an automatic license plate reader (ALPR) that can read your license plate and determine license status and car ownership.

If you are facing criminal charges for driving on a suspended license, you may be worried about potential penalties and fines, including an extended suspension and possible jail time. These are very real possibilities, but with the help of a skilled Boston criminal defense attorney, you have the best chance of a positive outcome. Saying you didn’t know your license was suspended is not a good defense. However, it is possible to miss a notification. If the judge believes you are sincere, your chances of avoiding further penalties is significantly improved.

What are the Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License?

The type and severity of the penalties you face depends on several factors, such as whether this is your first offense. If this is the first time you’ve been charged with driving on a suspended license, you may face fines of up to $500 and jail time of up to 10 days. If this is your second or subsequent offense, you may spend up to a year behind bars. In addition, the reason that your license was suspended in the first place may affect your charges. For example, if your suspension was due to driving under the influence, a mandatory 60-day jail sentence will follow.

Driving on a Revoked License

If your license was permanently revoked and you got caught driving, the charges may be far more serious. In most cases, you will face a mandatory jail sentence. In all 50 states, your driver’s license can be revoked for multiple DUI convictions, and for the accumulation of a certain number of “countable” violations. Your driver’s license can also be revoked for driving on a suspended license. The violations below can result in a license revocation, but the first offense typically only results in a suspension:

  • Driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
  • Leaving the scene of an accident where injuries are involved
  • Failure to respond to a traffic summons
  • Reckless driving
  • Drag racing

If you have been charged any of the violations above, contact a Boston defense attorney today.

Altman & Altman, LLP – Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving All of MA

If you have been charged with driving on a suspended license, the skilled defense team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We will analyze the details of your case and position you for the best possible outcome. We understand that bad things can happen to good people. If you’ve been charged with any type of crime, from disorderly conduct to assault and battery, our attorneys can help you determine the best strategy for moving forward. We have an impressive track record of getting clients’ charges reduced, or dismissed altogether. We will fight tirelessly to protect your rights, your reputation, and your freedom. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.

 

 

 

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