California Suspended Or Revoked License Attorney – Vehicle Code 14601 VC

How Can A Suspended License Attorney from My Rights Law Help Me?

Vehicle Code 14601 VC states that driving in California with a suspended or revoked license is illegal. Examples include driving a vehicle after revocation of your license due to a habitual traffic violation, or driving while suspended for refusing to submit to a chemical test. If you have been charged with driving on a suspended license, speak with My Rights Law traffic violations lawyer regarding your legal options. We’ll do everything we can to help you maintain your driving privileges. Call us at (888) 702-8882 or contact us through our secure web form to take advantage of your free consultation today.

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Is Driving With A Suspended Or Revoked License A Crime?

A prosecutor must establish the following to convict a person under VC 14601.1(a):

The defendant operated a vehicle after losing their driving privilege, and
The defendant knew they were not allowed to drive.

It is important to note that a defendant driver must know about the driver’s license suspension to be convicted.[1]

The driver’s knowledge is presumed if all of the following elements are true:

A notice was mailed by the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) notifying the defendant that their driving privilege had been suspended or revoked,
A notice was sent to the accused’s most recent address, and
Notices were not returned to the department as undeliverable or unclaimed.

The L.A. County D.A.’s office will generally not prosecute VC 14601.1 cases unless the suspected suspended driver has been a repeat offender in the prior 24 months.[2]

Legal Defenses To Driving On A Suspended Or Revoked License Charges

With a good legal defense, a defendant can try to beat criminal charges under this statute.

The three most common defenses are:

Knowledgeless,
No suspension, or
Need.

A defendant is only guilty of violating this statute if:

They drove with a suspended license, and
The driver was aware that their license had been revoked.

It is a solid legal defense for an accused person to assert that they did not know this.

Example: The California DMV suspends Trisha’s driver’s license for accumulating too many points and becoming a negligent operator. She never receives the notice of suspension because it is mailed to an old address. The local law enforcement agency pulls her over for a broken taillight and discovers her license is suspended. There is no responsibility on Trisha’s part.

Under these laws, an accused can only be found guilty if their license has been suspended. It is a solid defense for a defendant to establish that they had a valid driving license when they were caught driving.

In a necessity defense, the defendant tries to avoid guilt by showing that they had a good reason for committing the crime.

Under the context of this statute, an accused person may attempt to show that they committed the crime since they had no choice but to do so. For example, maybe the defendant was forced to drive because of an emergency.

What Is The Penalty For Driving On A Suspended Or Revoked License?

Violations of this section are misdemeanors.

The exact punishment a person receives depends on the reason for suspending their license.

In addition, punishments will be determined by the following statutes:

Vehicle Code 14601 VC,
Vehicle Code 14601.2 VC,
Vehicle Code 14601.3 VC,
Vehicle Code 14601.5 VC, and
Vehicle Code 14601.1 VC.

Driving After License Suspended Due To Reckless Driving – VC 14601

Drivers can be penalized if they operate a vehicle on a suspended license, and their license had been suspended for reckless driving.[3]

A driver could receive the following punishment in these situations:

Five days to six months in county jail, and
A fine ranging from $300 to 1,000.

Traffic Offenders – VC 14601.3

As a result of this statute, drivers are penalized if they:

Drove on a suspended license, and
Have a history of traffic violations.

In these cases, a driver will receive the following punishment:

Probation for up to three years,
Up to 30 days in jail, or
A maximum fine of $1,000.[4]

Is It Possible To Have A Conviction Expunged?

If convicted under this statute, an individual can get their record expunged.

A judge will grant expungement if the following conditions are met:

If probation was imposed, the defendant completed it
The defendant has served their jail term (if imposed).

Even if an accused violated probation, a judge might grant an expungement.

Why Choose A Suspended Or Revoked License Attorney At My Rights Law?

Our experienced criminal defense attorneys have years of experience handling cases like yours. Allow us to take legal matters off your hands. How do you know which firm is right for you? Before you make your decision, consider these questions.

Case Results

The best law firms are not shy about sharing their case results. That’s why we make it easy for you. You may browse our proven case results here. As you review these results, keep in mind that each case has different facts, and each client has different goals. Thus, a favorable outcome can take many forms. You may be able to avoid jail time by getting your charge reduced. Serving probation or getting a mental health diversion are also considered wins in our clients’ books. Our proudest wins are dismissals and not guilty verdicts. If you’ve been accused of driving on a suspended license, our experienced criminal defense attorneys can help you get the charges reduced or dropped entirely.

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Don’t just take our word for it. Listen to what our previous clients have said about us. We have a long history of successfully defending clients in similar circumstances as you.

Call My Rights Law’s California Suspended Or Revoked License Attorney Today

My Rights Law California defense lawyers can help you if you face a suspended or revoked license charge. It is our specialty to handle criminal law cases, and we know how to represent our clients. You can count on our award-winning firm with years of experience and successful case results. We promise to defend all of our clients aggressively, diligently, and strategically. No matter how determined prosecutors are, we aren’t intimidated or shrink in fear when odds don’t seem to be in our favor. Call us at (888) 702-8882 or complete our secure web form to take advantage of your free consultation today.

Other traffic violations crimes we defend include: Driving Without A License

FOOTNOTES
[1] People v. Spence (2005) 125 Cal.App.4th 710
[2] CALCRIM No. 2220
[3] California Vehicle Code 14601 VC
[4] California Vehicle Code 14601 VC