Caught Driving with a Suspended License? Contact a Lawyer Who Can Protect Your Future

CALL OUR WESTCHESTER CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS: 914-574-8330 
CALL OUR NYC CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS: 212-858-0503 

Our New York criminal defense attorneys have handled thousands of cases involving motorists who were arrested for driving  with a suspended license. Driving with a suspended license in violation of New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (V.T.L.) 511, is an unclassified misdemeanor. Our Westchester criminal defense lawyers and New York City criminal defense attorneys who represent people charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle know that people who are not criminals are often ticketed and even arrested for this charge. Often people do not realize they have an unpaid ticket which is suspending their license, until they are being arrested. There are numerous degrees of driving with suspended license, so you need a suspended license lawyer who is familiar with laws in New York City, NY, Manhattan, and White Plains.

DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE IS A CRIME

One of the most common questions that your New York and Westchester criminal defense lawyers are asked is whether driving with a suspended license is a crime or just a traffic ticket. Another common question is "Can you go to jail for driving on a suspended license?"  The most commonly charged section of the NY Vehicle and Traffic Law for driving with a suspended license is New York’s vehicle and traffic law Section 511, also known as Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree. This charge for driving on a suspended license, is a misdemeanor, which is a crime. Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree prohibits operating a motor vehicle if a person knows or has reason to know that his or her license or privilege of operating such motor vehicle is suspended, revoked or otherwise withdrawn by the Department of Motor Vehicles. One of the most frequent questions that our Westchester County and NYC criminal defense attorneys are asked is: Am I going to jail if I was caught driving on a suspended license in New York. Another common question that our NY criminal defense lawyers are asked is "What is the penalty for driving on a suspended license in NY". If you were arrested, and if was your first time that you were caught driving with a suspended license, then you are probably not going to jail. The penalty for driving with a suspended license in N.Y., is a fine between two hundred and five hundred dollars and up to thirty days in jail. Although jail is rarely given for a violation of V.T.L. 511(a)(1). 

There are numerous instances in which a license can be suspended without the driver having known it. This is a complete defense to a charge of 511, aggravated unlicensed operation.

Under V.T.L. 511(2), there is an enhanced penalty for driving while a suspended license where the driver has previously been convicted of an offense for driving with a suspended license within the  eighteen months prior to the arrest. There is also an enhanced penalty if the underlying suspension is for a refusal to take a test after being pulled over for a DWI or a DWI or DWAI conviction. This enhancement also applies if the driver has three or more suspensions, imposed on at least three separate dates. Depending on the underlying basis the penalties for the enhancement can range from a fine of at least five hundred dollars, but less than one thousand dollars or a term of imprisonment not to exceed one hundred eighty days, or a term of probation.

WHEN IS DRIVING WITH A SUSPENDED LICENSE A FELONY

Under 511(3), a person commits a felony when they drive with a suspended license while under the influence of alcohol or a drug, or they have ten or more suspensions, imposed on at least ten separate dates. The sentences for a violation of 511(3) include a fine between five hundred dollars and five thousand dollars and a term of imprisonment or a sentence of probation.

Our New York and Westchester county criminal defense attorneys have won dismissals and charge reductions on numerous charges of driving with a suspended license.

Our New York criminal defense lawyers have handled the criminal defense of cases in all of the Courts in the New York Metropolitan Area, including the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Rockland and Westchester, including White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Ossining, Mount Kisco, Mount Pleasant, Scarsdale, Port Chester, Rye, Greenburgh, Elmsford and Mount Vernon.

FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR NYC CRIMINAL

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS, CALL: 212-858-0503

FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH OUR WHITE PLAINS

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS, CALL:  914-574-8330