If you have been charged with driving while license suspended or revoked, then you may have a defense. Lack of knowledge is a defense that is oftentimes successful when fighting driving while license suspended or revoked cases. Even if you don’t think you have a defense, you should always speak to an attorney to make sure you have a full understanding of how the law applies specifically to your case. If you want to know more about the lack of knowledge defense, or if you want to speak to a lawyer about how to beat your driving while license suspended case in Florida, contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.
Driving while license suspended or revoked in Florida is defined under Florida Statute 322.34. A person commits driving while license suspended or revoked when they drive a vehicle while their license is canceled, suspended or revoked.
It is a civil infraction (traffic ticket) for someone to unknowingly drive while their license is canceled, suspended or revoked. It is a criminal offense for someone to knowingly drive while their license is canceled, suspended or revoked then it is a civil infraction.
As far as the criminal offense is concerned, it is a second-degree misdemeanor the first time someone is charged with driving while license suspended or revoked, meaning they can be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail, or up to 6 months on probation and up to $500 in fines.
It is a first-degree misdemeanor the second or subsequent time someone is charged with driving while license suspended or revoked, meaning they can be sentenced to up to one year in jail, or up to one year on probation and up to $1,000 in fines.
It is a third-degree felony the third or subsequent time someone is charged with driving while license suspended or revoked, meaning they can be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison, or up to 5 years on probation and up to $5,000 in fines if the underlying driver’s license suspension, cancellation or revocation is a result of a DUI, fleeing or eluding, a traffic offense causing serious bodily injury or refusal to submit to a DUI test.
Criminal convictions carry severe consequences and can never be removed from your criminal record. If you are convicted of a felony, you will lose your right to vote, your right to own firearms, and your ability to maintain certain business licenses, even for a driving offense. You can also lose your ability to receive financial aid, your ability to live in certain places and your ability to obtain a passport.
If you need an attorney who will advise you, fight for your rights, and do everything possible to protect your future, or if someone you know has been charged with driving while license suspended in Florida, then contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.