Charged with Driving on a Suspended License? Fairfax Defense Lawyer Shares Important Legal Info You Need to Know
For most people, driving is essential in order to earn a living and survive within a community, especially when the community in which you reside has limited access to public transportation. This is why it is common for someone to be driving in Fairfax without a valid driver’s license, with a suspended driver’s license or with a revoked license. If you are pulled over by police, you be charged with a serious criminal offense that carries harsh penalties. If you, or a loved one, was arrested or ticketed with driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license, you need to speak with an experienced suspended driver’s license defense attorney in Fairfax. Why? Because if you are convicted, the penalties can be severe, and you owe it to yourself to have the best defense possible.
Common Reasons a Motorist Has Their Driver’s License Suspended or Revoked
Your license may be suspended because of a criminal charge such as reckless driving or driving under the influence (DUI/DWI). Your license could also be suspended because you havea medical condition that affects your driving, or accruing too many points on your driving record. Here are some other circumstances which may result in your driver’s license being suspended or revoked:
- DRIVE WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION OVER THE LEGAL LIMIT, OR REFUSE TO TAKE A BREATHALYZER TEST AFTER YOU ARE ARRESTED FOR A DUI/DWI
- GET CONVICTED OF RECKLESS DRIVING
- ACCRUE TOO MANY POINTS ON YOUR DRIVING’S LICENSE FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS
- FORGET AND/OR FAIL TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT, JAIL FEES, OR A JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU FOR A CAR WRECK
- DRIVE WITHOUT AUTO INSURANCE OR FAIL TO PAY THE UNINSURED MOTOR VEHICLE FEE
The Virginia DMV typically notifies motorists when their driving privileges have been suspended.
Penalties Associated with a Conviction for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
According to Virginia Code § 46.2-301, driving on a suspended license is a class 1 misdemeanor crime, which is in the same category as driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI/DWI). If convicted, you could face the following penalties:
- Having to serve up to one year in jail;
- Pay a fine of up to $2,500; and
- Suspension of your license for the same period for which it had been previously suspended or revoked.
A conviction may also allow the state to impound your vehicle, and you’ll have to pay the costs to impound and store your car before it will be released.
A suspension of your driving privileges can happen when you:
- Drive with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit, or refuse to take a breathalyzer test after you are arrested for a DUI/DWI
- Get convicted of reckless driving
- Accrue too many points on your driving’s license for traffic violations
- Forget and/or fail to pay court fines, child support, jail fees, or a judgment against you for a car wreck
- Drive without auto insurance or fail to pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee
Take Action by Contacting the Skilled Defense Attorneys with the Dua Law Firm
As you can see, being charged with driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license is a serious offense with major repercussions on your liberty and ability to operate a motor vehicle. In many cases, Virginia drivers do not realize that their license was suspended and are shocked when they are charged with driving on a revoked or suspended license. If you find yourself in this situation, do not sit back and let the government inflict its harshest punishment. You owe it to yourself to have the best defense available. To make this happen, you need to contact an experienced and respected Fairfax defense attorney with the Dua Law Firm. Our legal team is ready to advocate on your behalf and protect your rights. Contact Fairfax traffic defense lawyer Raj Dua at (703) 382-7300 or email [email protected] for a free, confidential consultation.