What are the Consequences of Driving Without a License in New Jersey?
Operating a motor vehicle is one of the biggest responsibilities average citizens have. Everybody knows you must have a valid, current license to operate a motor vehicle. However, more people drive without a license than you may think. It is one thing to simply forget your license at home, but if you know you do not have a license, or that your license is suspended, and you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle anyway, you may be facing particularly harsh penalties. If you have been charged with driving without a license, here are some of the questions you may have regarding your legal options going forward:
What are the penalties for driving with a suspended license?
Driving with a suspended license is one of the harshest traffic tickets you can receive. New Jersey does not go easy on those willfully and wantonly operate a motor vehicle without a license. This is why if you are charged with driving without a license, you must hire an experienced attorney as soon as you can. According to the N.J.S.A. 39:3-40, penalties for driving with a suspended license are as follows:
- First offense: $500 fine, additional license suspension not to exceed 6 months
- Second offense: $750 fine, additional license suspension not to exceed 6 months, imprisonment up to 5 days
- Third and subsequent offense: $1000 fine, additional license suspension not to exceed 6 months, imprisonment for 10 days
Additionally, if you injured another party while operating your motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, you may face jail time from anywhere between 45 and 180 days. If you killed someone while driving without a license, you may even be charged with a crime in the third degree. You may face additional charges if you were caught driving without a license and received a DUI, refused to submit to a chemical test, driving without insurance, or are a habitual offender. Do not let an unwarranted charge impact your life for years to come. An experienced attorney can help mitigate the effects of a traffic ticket, and, in some cases, have a traffic ticket dropped altogether. Please do not wait. Get in touch with our knowledgeable firm today.
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