FAQs About Driving With A Suspended Or Revoked License

7 September 2017
 Categories: Law, Blog


Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a serious offense. Unfortunately, some drivers still take the risk. For those that are caught, the punishments can range from a fine to jail time. If your license has been suspended or revoked, here is what you need to know about being caught behind the wheel.

Why Was Your License Suspended?

In determining your punishment for driving with a suspended or revoked license, the judge will consider various factors. One of those is the original offense that led to the suspension. If the offense was driving-related, such as driving under the influence, you could face a more severe punishment.

However, if the original offense was not a driving-related offense, such as failure to pay child support, you might be able to plead successfully for leniency.

If you have been previously found to be driving on a suspended or revoked license is also important. Instead of just having your license restricted for a longer period, you could face additional fines and even jail. The court could choose to allow for probation as opposed to the jail sentence.

What Can You Do to Avoid the Charge?

The loss of your driving privileges could create a hardship for you. Without a car, you could have trouble traveling to and from work, miss medical appointments, and have problems with taking care of loved ones who are dependent on you. Although choosing to continue to drive is an option, it is a risky one. There is an alternative though.

If your license is suspended, you can request that the suspension be limited. With a limited suspension, you can travel to work and other activities without fear of facing legal trouble.

Depending on the original offense, you might be required to take additional steps to receive a limited suspension. For instance, if the offense was driving under the influence, you could be required to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car.

Can the Charge Be Reduced or Dropped?

The circumstances of your case determine whether you can successfully fight for the driving with a suspended or revoked license to be reduced or dropped. In some instances, the court is willing to entertain the idea that there were mitigating factors that led to the need to drive.

For instance, if there was a medical emergency, you could argue that you had to seek help immediately. If you can prove the emergency occurred, the court might be willing to drop the charge or reduce it for a lower charge. 


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