Driving With A Suspended License Lawyer New York State
A New York license suspension or revocation has serious consequences. If your license is suspended in New York, you may lose your job. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you will face prison time as well as severe fines and penalties. Penalties can be as much as $5,000 and over six months in jail time. Additionally, you may find it hard to get auto insurance when your suspension or revocation period is complete.
I’m Jonathan D. Katz, Esq. and I’ve been representing people, like you, who have faced losing their license in the state of New York for more than 36 years. My firm can represent you with the goals of keeping your driving record as clean as possible, minimizing your points, and keeping you on the road. Revocations are usually for longer periods than suspensions and drivers must meet more strict requirements before being allowed to drive again.
It may be possible to successfully defend these charges or obtain a reduction in the charge to one with lesser penalties. These actions may save your license. I know, because I represent people in traffic violation cases every week. I have extensive experience in cases involving driving without a license, driving without insurance, driving while your license is suspended, and driving while your license is revoked.
Driver revocations in NY
Driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license is a serious offense in New York. In New York, it’s called Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle (AUO). There are three grades of AUO violations: the most severe (a first-degree AUO) is a felony and the others are misdemeanors. Felony violations (for repeat offenders are alcohol or drug violations) can carry fines up to $5,000 and prison time of more than six months. Second and third-degree offenses carry somewhat lower penalties.
Lifting a driver’s license suspension
If you have outstanding traffic tickets, your license can be suspended by the New York DMV. To obtain a lifting of the suspension, you must ask the court for a trial date. The clerk of court can then lift your suspension until the resolution of traffic violations. I can represent you in this hearing, get your suspension lifted and protect your rights. My firm can also represent you in the trial, with the goal of resolving any speeding or traffic violations in a satisfactory manner. I have been able to successfully reduce many moving violation charges to lesser charges or non-moving violations in many courts in the state of New York.
Reasons your license could be suspended
- Alcohol and Drug-Related Offenses
- Refusing to take a Chemical Breath Test can cause a suspension or even a revocation
- A Driving while Ability Impaired (DWAI) conviction carries automatic suspensions. Alcohol convictions are 90 days. Drug convictions are six months. If your BAC was more than .08, your license will be suspended for six months. Repeat offenses mean stiffer penalties. If you drink and drive before you’re 21 your license will be suspended if your BAC is .02 to .07. It will be revoked for at least a year if you’re BAC is 08
- Driving without Insurance – Your license will be suspended for a year
- Speeding – Three speeding tickets in an 18 month period mean a license revocation of at least six months
- Too many Points – 11 points within an 18 month period means a license suspension too
- Failing to pay child support
- Failing to pay a judgment related to a ticket accident
- Failing to submit accident reports
You may be able to obtain a restricted license
For alcohol and drug-related offenses, a conditional license may available but only if you participate in New York’s Drinker Driver Program (DDP). The restricted license will let you drive to work, school, a childcare center, the DDP classes, court proceedings, medical appointments, and other reasons.
Consult with an attorney before you do anything
Don’t pay the ticket before you’ve spoken with a lawyer. If you pay the fine, it’s recorded as a guilty plea. If you don’t respond at all, you can still be found guilty. Points will be assessed and your license will be automatically suspended, pending a hearing. Any points will be sent to the DMV where you live and you can face a license suspension in your home state.
It’s important to hire an experienced New York traffic violation lawyer to represent you. I know the laws here and I know the people who work in the courts. I’ve represented many people, like you, who deserved a quality defense, and I’ve succeeded in getting their tickets reduced or even eliminated.
I’ve been practicing law and defending traffic citations in the state of New York for over 36 years. I can help with license suspension, license revocations, and other motor vehicle violations. Whether you’re a local New York driver, an out-of-state driver, or even a Canadian driver, I can help you with your New York traffic tickets.
