In New Jersey, driving is a privilege, not a right. As such, your license can be suspended for failure to adhere to the state’s traffic laws. Violating the traffic laws can result in the loss of your driving privileges. If you have received a citation for driving while suspended, it’s in your best interest to contact a determined Bergen County Driving Without a License Attorney who can help defend your rights.
What Are Some Reasons for License Suspension in NJ?
Once you have learned that your driver’s license has been suspended, you should stop driving immediately. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, additional violations will increase your penalties. In New Jersey, you could face a license suspension for several reasons, including:
- Failure to pay traffic fines or surcharges
- Failure to make a court appearance connected with a traffic violation
- Driving without insurance or proof of insurance
- Driving after receiving a previous suspension order due to DUI, refusing to submit to a chemical test, or being a habitual DUI offender
- Reckless driving conviction
- Fault in a fatal collision
- Incurring 12 or more points on your driving record
- Physical or mental condition that disqualified you from driving
Understandably, it’s easy to panic when your driving privileges are at stake. However, an experienced attorney can help explore available defenses to mitigate your penalties.
What Are the Consequences of Driving With a Suspended License in NJ?
If your license is suspended and you choose to drive anyway, you will face an array of harsh penalties. If this is your first time driving with a suspended license, your current suspension period will be extended by up to six months and you will be subject to a $500 fine. The second offense will result in enhanced penalties. Offenders risk an extended license suspension period of six months, a $750 fine, and possible jail time of up to five days. Third and subsequent offenders will face higher fines, longer jail terms, and additional suspension. You can expect to face a $1,000 fine, an additional license suspension of up to six months, and a possible jail sentence of ten days.
It’s important to note that aggravating factors can elevate the standard sentencing. For instance, if you have injured another party while driving on a suspended license, you could face between 45 and 180 days of imprisonment. If you were driving under the influence (DUI) without a valid license, you could face additional license revocation for up to two years and up to 90 days in jail. Furthermore, offenders can be subject to an annual surcharge of $250 for three years.
As you can see, the penalties are too steep to risk handling this matter on your own. At The Law Office of Carl Spector, we are prepared to help you navigate your options and effectively represent your interests. Connect with our firm today to learn more about how we can assist you.
