Suspended License Attorneys in Bakersfield, California
According to the California Department of Justice’s Crime in California report, there were about 7,086 arrests for selected traffic violations statewide in 2020. Unfortunately, a suspended license indicates that your driver’s license is temporarily out of service, and you are not legally permitted to drive. In the state of California, driving with a suspended license is a traffic violation that can result in misdemeanor charges. If convicted, the defendant could face massive fines, lengthy jail time, demerit points on your driving record, and other social consequences.
If you have received a violation for driving with a suspended license, it is important that you retain a skilled California traffic violations attorney to defend your rights. At Underwood Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to represent and defend clients in their traffic violations cases. As your legal counsel, we will investigate the surrounding facts of your unique situation, outline an effective defense strategy for your case, and dispute the allegations against you. Our attorneys will fight vigorously to defend your rights, or help minimize or avoid potential consequences.
Underwood Law Firm proudly represents clients across Bakersfield, Lamont, and throughout Kern County, California.
Reasons a License May Be Suspended
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can suspend or revoke your driver’s license due to a number of different reasons, including:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving without insurance and getting into an accident
- Refusing a required chemical test – urine, breath, or blood test
- Underage drinking
- Too many demerit points on your driving record
- Failure to Appear (FTA) in court
- Failure to pay a traffic ticket
- Failure to pay child support
- A physical or mental health condition
- Failing to report an accident
- Vandalizing another person’s property.
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be facing potential penalties for driving with a suspended license. An experienced attorney can explain the possible penalties and consequences and help you protect your driving privilege.
Penalty for Driving with a Suspended License
It is illegal for a person knowingly to drive in California with a suspended or revoked driver’s license. There are two key elements that constitute driving on a suspended license:
- The defendant operated a motor vehicle while their license was suspended.
- The defendant knew that their driving privileges were suspended at the time.
Knowledge of suspension, revocation, or restriction of the driving privilege will be presumed if the individual has been given notice by the DMV.
If convicted, possible penalties include:
- Jail time up to a year
- Fines up to $2,000
- Probation up to five years
- Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
An experienced criminal defense attorney can outline an effective defense strategy to help fight your charges and determine whether you are eligible for a hardship license.
Hardship License
A hardship license is a restricted driver’s license that permits you to drive to a limited number of places, such as school, work, hospital, or DUI school. To qualify, you must meet the eligibility requirements for a hardship license.
However, qualifying for a hardship license in California requires meeting the strict eligibility requirements. An experienced attorney can evaluate your unique situation, determine whether you qualify for a hardship license, or build a strong defense to help fight your suspended license.
Possible Defenses
When facing driving with suspended license allegations, your attorney can fight your charges using any of the following defenses:
- You had no knowledge of the driver’s license suspension
- There was no suspension
- The license was only restricted
A knowledgeable traffic violations attorney can evaluate every aspect of your case and outline an effective defense strategy that fits your unique situation.
Working With a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney
Fighting your driving with suspended license allegations without experienced guidance could easily expose you to the risks of getting convicted and suffering the maximum penalties. If convicted, you could be facing devastating punishment, including substantial fines, lengthy jail time, probation, and other life-altering ramification. This is why it is important to retain a highly skilled and aggressive criminal defense attorney immediately to help protect your rights and build your defense.
At Underwood Law Firm, we’re dedicated to offering comprehensive legal guidance and vigorous representation to clients facing driving with suspended license charges. Using their knowledge of California’s traffic laws, our attorneys will help you navigate the state’s criminal justice system and guide you through every phase of the legal proceedings. We will fight aggressively on your behalf to help defend your legal rights, protect your driving privileges, and ultimately get your license reinstated.