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Baltimore Driving With A Suspended License Lawyers
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Driving With A Suspended License Traffic Offense In Baltimore
If you have received a driving on a suspended license charge in Baltimore or elsewhere in Maryland, there are several serious consequences you may face and must be aware of. If you are found guilty of driving on a suspended license, you may receive points on your driving record, fines, or even jail time. Due to the severe penalties you may receive for driving on a suspended license, many Maryland drivers hire a lawyer to represent them at their traffic hearing. The experienced Baltimore traffic lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom have represented thousands of clients for driving on a suspended license cases. If you have received a driving on a suspended license charge in Baltimore or elsewhere in Maryland, call Hyatt & Goldbloom and speak with a lawyer today.
What Are The Penalties For Driving With A Suspended License In Maryland?
The Maryland law for driving on a suspended license is contained in Maryland Transportation Code § 16-303. The penalties for driving on a suspended license in Maryland are stated in § 16-303(k):
- For a first offense, the penalty for driving on a suspended license is imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and
- For a second or subsequent offense, imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.
In addition to these penalties, if you are found guilty of driving on a suspended license in Maryland, you will receive 12 points on your license. If you receive 12 points on your license, the State of Maryland may revoke your license entirely. Also, receiving points on your license may significantly increase the cost of car insurance.
Less severe penalties apply under certain circumstances. The penalties that apply to your particular case depend upon the reason your Maryland license was initially suspended. Maryland Transportation Code § 16-303(h) and § 16-303(i) list the circumstances when lesser penalties for driving on a suspended license apply. If you are found guilty of driving on a suspended license under § 16-303(h) or § 16-303(i), you may be:
- Subject to a fine not exceeding $ 500;
- Must appear in court; and
- May not prepay the fine.
Can You Go To Jail For Driving On A Suspended License In Maryland?
Whether or not you will receive jail time for driving with a suspended license depends on your specific circumstances. However, jail time can be common for those who are repeat offenders or have been convicted of traffic crimes in the past. A Maryland court will look at the factors mentioned above as well as others when deciding whether to sentence you to jail time for driving with a suspended license. Some of the factors that the court may consider include:
- Previous criminal traffic violations
- Repeat offense for driving with a suspended license
- Convicted of other traffic charges (DUI, reckless driving, speeding, etc.)
- Driving with knowledge vs without knowledge of a suspended license
- Being on probation at the time of the arrest
If you have received a driving on a suspended license charge in Maryland, we highly recommend contacting a lawyer before your trial date. The serious traffic violation lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom have significant experience handling driving with suspended license cases, and we may be able to mitigate or avoid some or all of these penalties.
Why Is My Driver’s License Suspended?
There are various reasons that Maryland or another state may suspend your driver’s license. Here are some of the most common reasons for suspending a Maryland driver’s license:
- A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI)
- You refused to take a breathalyzer test when arrested for a DUI
- Failure to pay child support
- There is an outstanding warrant against you
- Failure to take a mandatory driver improvement program
While these are the most common reasons for a Maryland driver’s license suspension, there are other circumstances when the State of Maryland can suspend your license. If you have questions about your Maryland license suspension, call Hyatt & Goldbloom today.
Should I Get A Lawyer For Driving With A Suspended License Offense?
If you receive a charge for driving on a suspended license in Baltimore or elsewhere in Maryland, you will receive a trial date. You must attend the court hearing for your driving on a suspended license offense. Due to the potentially severe penalties resulting from a driving on a suspended license conviction, a prosecutor will represent the State of Maryland at your trial. Having an experienced Baltimore criminal defense lawyer at your side will have significant advantage during the trial.
There are defenses and arguments that an experienced traffic offenses attorney can make on your behalf at your driving on a suspended license hearing. The State is required to prove every element of the driving on a suspended license offense beyond a reasonable doubt. An unrepresented defendant may not understand the State’s legal requirements, resulting in a guilty plea to an otherwise defendable offense. Your Baltimore driving with a suspended license lawyer will make all possible defenses and arguments on your behalf during the hearing.
In addition, there are circumstances when it is possible to negotiate a plea agreement with the State prosecutor. In particular, if this is your first driving on a suspended license offense, you may be able to receive Probation Before Judgment (PBJ). The experienced Baltimore traffic offenses lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom will communicate with the prosecutor and negotiate the most beneficial plea agreement possible.
Call The Baltimore Driving On A Suspended License Lawyers At Hyatt & Goldbloom Today
Driving on a suspended license in Maryland is a serious traffic offense that can result in significant penalties. When facing a driving on a suspended license charge, you want an experienced Maryland traffic lawyer at your side, ready to defend and protect your legal interests. The Baltimore driving on suspended license lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom have defended Maryland drivers charged with driving on a suspended license for over 30 years. If you have been charged with driving on a suspended license in Maryland, call Hyatt & Goldbloom today. Our lawyers are available 24/7 to discuss your driving on a suspended license case and answer any questions you may have. Call us today at (410) 385-3180.