Arizonians: What to Know About Driving on a Suspended License
There are lots of reasons why your driver’s license might be suspended in Arizona. Alcohol-related offenses, such as DUIs, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident are all examples. You could also have your license suspended if you accumulate too many points on it or if you fail to appear in court in response to a traffic violation. If your license is suspended, you should talk to a lawyer about your options—but have someone else drive you to the law office.
Understanding the Law
The Arizona law pertaining to driving with a suspended license can be found under ARS §28-3473 in the Arizona Revised Statutes. It states that individuals are forbidden to drive if their license has been suspended, revoked, canceled, or refused. The same applies if the individual is disqualified from driving in any way. Even if you didn’t commit an offense that led to the suspension of your license, you can be charged for driving with an expired license if you failed to renew it in a timely manner.
Knowing What to Do After Revocation
If your driver’s license has been revoked for a specific period of time, it will not automatically be reinstated once that time period is over. You’ll need to apply for reinstatement. In addition to submitting your application for reinstatement, you’ll need to pay the fee, submit any required documentation, and possibly file a Certificate of Insurance (SR-22). Some individuals may need to pass a written test, road test, and vision exam.
Identifying the Potential Consequences
Driving with a suspended license is a class one misdemeanor in Arizona. This does not carry a mandatory fine or jail time. However, the judge may sentence you to up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. For a first offense, it’s more likely that you would be sentenced to five days in jail. In addition, you can expect to have your vehicle impounded for up to 30 days.
Criminal defense attorney Janet Altschuler has more than 20 years of experience defending individuals throughout the Tucson area. If you’ve been charged with driving on a suspended license or another traffic-related crime, call our law firm at (520) 247-1789 right away.