Arizona Suspended License Lawyer
Driving on a suspended license, accidentally or intentionally, will lead to serious criminal penalties. You may not have understood the full scope of the license suspension, and accidentally broken its terms. You may simply feel that is was necessary to risk driving on a suspended license under certain circumstances. Perhaps you just assumed the police wouldn’t catch you. Whatever the case, know that you’re at risk of several different penalties for this traffic infraction in Arizona. Protect your legal right to drive with an Arizona suspended license attorney from the law offices of Corso Law Group as soon as police charge you with this crime.
About Driver’s License Suspension in Arizona
Arizona may choose to suspend or revoke a driver’s license for many reasons. Some common causes of suspension include reckless driving, driving, drunk driving, causing a collision with a pedestrian or bicyclist, failure to pay traffic violations, letting your car insurance lapse, or being found guilty of a crime involving street racing, graffiti, firearms, alcohol, drugs, or endangerment. Many drivers face suspension after accumulating too many points on their driving record (12 or more in a 12-month period is grounds for suspension in AZ).
The Arizona Motor Vehicle Department will notify you of the license suspension or revocation shortly after an infraction that demands this type of penalty. A license suspension has a certain time period during which a driver cannot operate his or her vehicle. Revocation is a permanent withdrawal of a person’s driving privileges. Revocation will typically only occur after a certain number of infractions or convictions. License suspensions may last indefinitely until you comply with the requirements for reinstatement at an administrative hearing.
You typically have to wait a certain amount of time, such as 30 days or six months, before you qualify for this hearing. You may need to fulfill certain requirements from the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), and the Arizona criminal courts to regain your driving privileges if your suspension stemmed from a criminal conviction. Driving on a suspended license is a class 1 misdemeanor and exposes you to severe legal penalties in Arizona, such as a fine of up to $2,500 plus surcharges, up to 3 years of probation, up to 6 months in jail, and a possible additional license suspension. Unless you have a solid defense or an Arizona traffic ticket defense attorney with you, law enforcement does not treat this crime lightly.
Defenses We May Use for Driving on a Suspended License
Driving on a suspended will create serious future issues that we term, “the snowball effect”. Once you enter into this revolving door of driver’s license suspensions and court fines, it is very difficult to break out of the cycle of constant issues. You must seek help. With the assistance of a Phoenix criminal defense lawyer, there is a good chance we will produce a result with relatively minor penalties. We may even be able to dismiss the prosecution’s case altogether and issue a license reinstatement in certain circumstances.
Possible defenses for this crime include:
- Stating that the police officer’s traffic stop was illegal or without probable cause. Proof of this can lead to the court’s ruling that any evidence the officer obtained during the stop, is inadmissible, or unusable in the case.
- Another defense could be that the defendant was unaware of the suspended driver’s license, and never received proper notice from the Motor Vehicle Division regarding your motor vehicle record. Our team of suspended license attorneys in Arizona will work with you to develop a strong defense, depending on your unique circumstances.
We can reduce the odds of serious traffic penalties, such as jail for this offense. To get started, contact us online and request a free case evaluation.
Common Reasons for License Suspension in Arizona
In Arizona, a driver’s license can be suspended for various reasons, impacting a person’s ability to drive legally. Understanding these reasons can help individuals take proactive measures to maintain their driving privileges. In general, any person cannot drive or operate a motor vehicle if their privilege to drive has been suspended, according to Arizona Revised Statutes, Section 28-3473. Here are some common causes for license suspension in the state:
- Excessive Traffic Violations: Accumulating too many points on your driving record from traffic violations can lead to suspension. Arizona uses a point system, and reaching a certain threshold can result in penalties.
- DUI Offenses: Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious offense in Arizona. A first-time DUI conviction can lead to automatic license suspension, with more severe penalties for repeat offenders.
- Failure to Pay Fines: Failing to pay traffic fines or fees can result in license suspension. This includes not paying court-ordered restitution or fees related to previous violations.
- Failure to Appear in Court: Not attending a scheduled court hearing related to traffic violations can result in a license suspension. Courts may issue a suspension until the matter is resolved.
- Reckless Driving: Engaging in reckless driving behavior can lead to suspension. This includes aggressive driving, excessive speeding, or other dangerous maneuvers on the road.
- Racing on Highways: If found to be engaging in drag racing or speed racing on Arizona highways can result in the suspension of your license.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions that impair driving ability may lead to a suspension. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) can suspend licenses based on medical evaluations.
- Unpaid Child Support: Failing to comply with child support orders can lead to license suspension. Arizona courts can suspend licenses as a means of enforcing child support obligations.
Understanding these common reasons for license suspension can help drivers in Arizona stay informed and avoid losing their driving privileges. If facing suspension, it’s essential to seek guidance from and contact our suspended license attorneys in Arizona.
Free Consultation With A Suspended License Defense Attorney
If your license has been suspended or revoked, call (480) 471-4616 to speak with an Arizona suspended license lawyer at Corso Law Group. We care about the attorney-client relationship and our license suspension attorney team will instruct you on what to do and what not to do to protect your rights during legal processes. Contact our defense attorneys today for a free case consultation.
