Under Florida law, you could lose your driver’s license for a huge amount of reasons. This can be a huge inconvenience as many people rely on their car for necessary daily tasks. However, if you continue driving while your license is suspended and you are caught by law enforcement, then the consequences can be much more serious than you may think. Those convicted of driving with a suspended license will face short and long-term repercussions and will be left with a permanent criminal record, which can affect the rest of your life.
This is why, if you’re facing charges of driving with a suspended license in Venice, it’s crucial that you contact a criminal defense attorney. Here at The Law Place, our attorneys have over 75 years of collective experience in dealing with Florida law and helping clients battle charges just like yours. We believe that you shouldn’t be so severely punished for a small mistake, and you can rely on us to prioritize your case and do everything possible to guarantee a favorable outcome.
So call us today to schedule a free consultation at (941) 444-4444. Phone lines are open 24/7.
What Is Driving With Suspended License in Venice, FL.?
Under Florida Statute 322.34, the offense of driving while your license is suspended is stated as the following Any person whose driving license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked who drives a vehicle on the highway. This is classed as a moving violation.
The statute also states that a first conviction of driving with a suspended license is classed as a second-degree misdemeanor, a second conviction is classed as a first-degree misdemeanor, and a third or a subsequent conviction is classed as a third-degree felony.
What Happens if You Get Pulled Over With a Suspended License in Venice, FL.?
If you get pulled over by a law enforcement officer in Florida, they will probably want to check your license. This means that it’s very likely that they’ll find out about your license suspension and will question you on whether you knew that you were driving with a suspended license. It’s vital that when this happens, you are cooperative and avoid being argumentative.
However, you must be careful not to admit knowing about your suspension because as soon as you do this, you will be charged with a criminal misdemeanor and face much more severe penalties than if you did not know the license was suspended.
Reasons for License Suspension in Venice, FL.
License suspension is a common penalty for many traffic violations, such as speeding or reckless driving, in Venice, Florida. However, some of the main reasons for this include the following:
- Points – The driver has obtained too many points on their license.
- DUI – The driver has previously been arrested for or has a prior conviction of DUI.
- Child support – The driver did not pay their child support payments on time. This is considered an act of delinquency.
- Court costs – The driver did not pay their court fines or judgments on time.
- Drug crimes – The driver has prior drug-related convictions on their record.
- Petty theft – The driver has a prior petty theft conviction.
- Breathalyzer – The driver refused to take a breathalyzer test when asked to by law enforcement.
- Fleeing to elude – The driver has a prior conviction for fleeing to elude.
- Racing – The driver has previously made a plea to a charge of racing on highways.
- Failure to appear – The driver did not appear at a mandatory court hearing.
- Habitual traffic offender – The driver is a habitual traffic offender.
- Insurance – The driver failed to have adequate insurance.
Regardless of why your license was suspended, you should get in touch with The Law Place if you have been caught driving with a suspended license. Our team of traffic defense attorneys has the resources and skills needed to be able to secure the best possible outcome for you and your case. We will be able to help you understand all you need to know about the relevant laws and will offer you valuable legal advice on your best options at your free consultation, so call us today to schedule one.
What Penalties Could You Face for Driving With a Suspended License?
The penalties you may face for any offense depend entirely on the circumstances surrounding the case, and this is no different for driving with a suspended license. However, Florida Statute 322.34 clearly outlines the penalties that you could be sentenced to following a conviction. These include the following:
- First offense – This is classed as a second-degree misdemeanor, and you could face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
- Second offense – This is classed as a first-degree misdemeanor, and you could face up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Third offense – This is classed as a third-degree felony, which is much more serious than a misdemeanor. You could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
- Habitual traffic offender – If you have already been charged with three or more counts of driving with a suspended license, then you may have your license revoked for up to five years. This will also mean that you won’t be able to obtain a hardship license for a year.
These penalties can seem very daunting, and if you are currently facing a charge for driving with a suspended license, then you should contact The Law Place immediately. Our attorneys will investigate your case and build a strong defense to limit the chances of a conviction. So call us today to schedule a free consultation with a defense attorney.
Defenses to Driving With Suspended License in Venice, FL.
As every single case is different, every defense must be, too. At The Law Place, our lawyers understand the various defense strategies that can be used and will tailor the best one to your case in an attempt to reduce any consequences you face. Some of the most common defense strategies are listed below:
- Traffic stop – The officer had no legal right to make the traffic stop.
- Mistaken identity – You have been accused instead of the actual offender.
- Lack of knowledge – You were not aware of your license suspension, revocation, or cancelation.
- Not driving on a public highway – You were not driving on a public Florida highway.
- Not a motor vehicle – The vehicle you were operating is not classed as a ‘motor vehicle’ under Florida law.
- Reinstated license – Your license had been reinstated, or it can be proved that you believed the license had been reinstated for a valid reason.
You can trust that the criminal defense lawyers from The Law Place have the skill necessary to develop a strong defense based on the specifics of your case on your behalf. In some situations, it’s possible to have the charge reduced to a ‘no valid driver’s license’ charge or to a civil citation, which will lessen the consequences that you risk facing. Call The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation!
Reinstating Your Driver’s License in Venice, FL.
It is essential to understand that you cannot drive or operate a vehicle while your license has been suspended or revoked by the State of Florida. In order to drive again, you’re required to apply for your license to be reinstated after the suspension has ended. However, in the event that your driver’s license was revoked, then you may need to apply for a whole new license.
In Venice, the reinstatement fee for a suspended license is $45. However, this fee increases to $75 if your license had been revoked, and you will also be required to pay another fee when you apply for your new license.
According to Florida Statute 322.21, in the event that your license has been suspended or revoked due to a DUI charge, or you refused to submit to a breathalyzer test, then you could be charged an additional $130 fee for the reinstatement of your driver’s license. This fee might increase to $180 if your license had been suspended or revoked due to a fraudulent insurance claim.
Before you begin to make any move to get your suspended license reinstated in the State of Florida, it is best to speak to a criminal defense lawyer. For an attorney who will be by your side every step of the way, you should contact The Law Place today. Schedule a free consultation to receive valuable legal advice.
What Makes a Good Criminal Defense Attorney?
Hiring a criminal defense attorney is an important decision that should not be taken lightly, as you are trusting strangers with a situation that could have a devastating impact on your life. Because of this, it’s crucial that you enlist the help of the best possible defense attorney.
When looking for a lawyer, you should want them to be the following:
- Trustworthy – Your attorney must keep all communication that you have with them confidential, and you must feel confident in speaking to them without fear of any consequences.
- An excellent communicator – As they will need to effectively represent you in court and negotiate on your behalf, your lawyer needs to be excellent at communicating and listening. They should refrain from speaking to you using legal jargon to ensure that you know exactly what is happening with your case.
- Totally committed to you and your case – For the best chance at a successful outcome, your lawyer needs to be completely committed to helping you and working on your case.
That attorneys at The Law Place have decades of experience in working with clients who faced charges just like yours, meaning you can trust that our Venice-based lawyers are prepared to prioritize your case and build an effective attorney-client relationship. So contact The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation!
What Can a Lawyer From The Law Place Do for You?
When you’re facing charges as serious as those for driving with a suspended license, you may be feeling a lot of stress and guilt. This is why it’s important that you contact a Venice criminal defense lawyer. Our attorneys’ knowledge and experience will be able to reassure you as they support and guide you every step of the way. They will be able to explain the legal process to you so that you understand everything that is happening with your case and answer all pressing questions that you may have.
Some of the many things that our traffic defense lawyers will do on your behalf are listed below:
- Investigate your case and gather evidence by interviewing witnesses, reviewing all police reports, and more.
- Research any statutes and precedents relevant to your case.
- Prepare to cross-examine witnesses.
- Submit the required legal documents on your behalf.
- Build an aggressive defense.
- Professionally represent you in court.
- Negotiate with the prosecution to persuade them to reduce/dismiss your charges or offer you a plea bargain.
- Fight for the dismissal of your case, an acquittal, or for the most lenient penalties possible.
If you have been charged with driving with a suspended license, then our law firm can help you. Our attorneys have the experience, in-depth knowledge, and determination required to give you the best chance at securing the best result possible for your case. So contact us today to get booked in for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our highly-qualified attorneys!
Contact The Law Place Today!
If you or a loved one have been arrested for driving with a suspended license, then you should contact a law firm as soon as possible. Our team of lawyers at The Law Place will do everything possible to challenge your charges. We have decades of experience in defending clients who were caught driving with their licenses suspended, so you can be assured that we are more than capable of handling your case and fighting on your behalf.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a reputable attorney. Our lawyers will be able to offer you valuable legal advice and guidance, so don’t hesitate!
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444.