Driving on a Suspended License
How Can Your License Become Suspended or Revoked?
Having a valid driver’s license is vital in regard to many aspects of everyday life in South Florida. Losing your driver’s license can affect your ability to work, attend school, or carry on family life. Reasons that a driver’s license may be suspended or revoked include, but are not limited to, DUI offenses, convictions for drug or theft offenses, habitual traffic offender, points suspension, failure to pay child support, failure to pay tickets or judgment, or failure to appear in court, among others. A suspension is temporary, where as having your license revoked terminates your privilege to drive.
Under Florida law, any person who drives while their license has been suspended, or revoked, is guilty of a moving violation. If that person had knowledge of the suspension or that their license had been revoked, and still made a decision to drive, they face criminal charges. A first time conviction is a second degree misdemeanor, a second conviction is a first degree misdemeanor, and a third degree felony for the third and any subsequent convictions.
322.34 Driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), any person whose driver license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked, except a “habitual traffic offender” as defined in s. 322.264, who drives a vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked is guilty of a moving violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318.
(2) Any person whose driver license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked as provided by law, except persons defined in s. 322.264, who, knowing of such cancellation, suspension, or revocation, drives any motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked
Having Your License Reinstated
If your license is suspended or revoked, you should not be driving. Once your term of suspension or revocation is passed, you will have to get your license reinstated. This is done by applying for the reinstatement and paying any applicable fees. If your license was revoked, you may have to apply for a new license.
Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Attorney
Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. Provides A Strategic Criminal Defense
Broward criminal lawyer, Kenneth Padowitz, has experience defending moving violations and related offenses throughout South Florida. If you have been ticketed or arrested for driving with a suspended or revoked license, it is important to contact an experienced criminal attorney to assist you in proceeding with your case. Kenneth Padowitz, P.A. provides the aggressive criminal defense that is needed in these situations. We will first determine whether you are eligible for a “clerk withhold,” which may permit you to avoid a criminal conviction by favorably resolving your case before the arraignment or first court date. Alternatively, there may be a valid defense that we will strategically apply to your case if all other options have been exhausted. Contact our law firm to discuss this important matter.