Understanding Driving with a Suspended License in Montgomery County
Depending on the facts of the case, driving with a suspended license could lead to significant penalties and long-term repercussions. A conviction will appear on the person’s permanent criminal record and on their driving records for at least ten years. They may have their auto insurance rates raised. Also, someone who is part of any licensed professional group such as nurses, doctors, teachers, may have to report this to the board when they are recertifying their license with that organization.
Read below for a better understanding of driving with a suspended license in Montgomery County. Also, get in touch with an experienced license suspension lawyer to see how a legal professional could help you reach a favorable outcome to your case.
License Suspension for a DUI
The license can be suspended from a DUI in one of two ways. A person can get their license suspended at the time of their arrest if they refuse to take a chemical test such as a breathalyzer or blood test. Montgomery County will automatically suspend a driver’s license for the refusal to take this test when suspected of DUI. An individual can also have their license suspended if they are convicted of certain DUI sections.
Previously, drivers were able to make an application for a temporary, limited occupational license. However, for DUIs, PennDOT has recently not been allowing people to get a temporary license while on suspension.
A Failure to Pay Fines Can Lead to a License Suspension
The failure to pay traffic fines or court fines under Section 1533 can lead to license suspension by PennDot for an indefinite period of time. However, the driver can stop the suspension by simply paying the fines and the court costs and thereby put themselves back in good graces with Penn DOT and the court.
Challenging Driver’s License Suspensions
If the driver has their license suspended and believes it was improperly done, they can request a hearing and a hearing date will be issued for them to appear and make their case for why their license suspension was improper.
If someone wants to challenge their driving while under suspension charge, they will have to appear in court to make their challenge. Otherwise, they will be waiving their right to plead not guilty if they simply ignore the ticket. Also, if they are charged with a misdemeanor driving offense, this will require them to go to court because they will be facing a charge with a maximum penalty of one year.
Driving with a Suspended License Penalties
Driving while the license is suspended due to DUI can be punished by a $500 fine and 60 to 90 days in jail for the first time. A second time DUI leads to a $1,000 fine and at least 90 days in jail and for a third time, this is a third-degree misdemeanor with a $2,500 fine and at least six months in jail. There is a special aggravating factor if their license is suspended and they are also found to have blood alcohol content (BAC) of at least 0.02%. The first time, this is punishable by $1,000 fine and at least 90 days in jail. The second time, if it is a third-degree misdemeanor, it is punishable by $2,500 fine and six months in jail. For a third offense, it is a first-degree misdemeanor resulting in a $5,000 fine and at least two years in jail. Also, all violations for driving while suspended will extend the suspension period for a longer period of at least a year.
Contact a Montgomery County Attorney Today
It is important to contact a traffic lawyer because some charges like driving while suspended could carry a mandatory jail sentence especially if the driver was under the influence. Some of these cases are misdemeanor criminal cases that require a lawyer and should not be handled by the defendant alone. Other times, even for the summary violation, it will extend their suspension for an even longer period as well as imposing another hefty fine and possibly raise someone’s insurance rates. For all those reasons, they should contact a lawyer to help them through the situation and see if they can fight the charges against them.
Call a seasoned lawyer today who has a great understanding of driving with a suspended license in Montgomery County.