When you go to court for your suspended license, you can expect to be asked many questions about your driving record, your driving skills, and your overall demeanor.
These questions may make you feel like you are being evaluated by a stranger, but that is how the state wants you to see it. The state is having difficulty determining if you are a safe driver and should have your license suspended.
It is important to be able to give honest answers to the state and defense team when they ask you these questions. If you can answer truthfully, the team will likely ask you no more questions about it.
This article will talk about some common responses that can make a difference between getting away with a warning and having your license suspended.
Contents:
Get ready for questioning
When you go to court for your suspended license, you will be questioned by a judge. He or she will ask you questions about your knowledge of the law, if you knew how to use the car safely, and if you knew what each signified. These questions can be hard for some people to answer, so it is important that you do your best to clarify your understanding of the laws.
After this questioning is over, the judge will give you your suspension back! You can drive again!
It is common for people who go to court for suspended driver’s licenses to get nervous. You may even feel anxious during this process, especially if you are not very experienced in driving. As a quick reminder, always keep your eyes on the road and breathe calm during this process.
Know the rules of the court
When you go to court for your suspended license, you have to follow the rules of the court. You must appear in court on the date scheduled for your hearing.
You must bring your current license and vehicle registration. If you have to purchase a new license or registration, you must do so within ten days of your court date.
You cannot use a temporary or provisional driver’s license at all, even if you do not have a car or a driver’s permit. Having a temporary or provisional driver’s license does not give you access to vehicles either!
At the hearing, you must state your identity and explain why you need a suspended driver’s license or new vehicle registration. You may request that your suspension be reduced, especially if you are working on your resumé and want to return to driving.
Prepare your defense
As mentioned earlier, driving while suspended is a crime. This means that you must provide your license to the police when they ask for it.
To help prepare your defense, write down some details about your case to include in your response. Be sure to explain what you are doing when you have your suspended license in your response.
In your defense, you may claim that you were not aware that driving was illegal and that attending court is too much of a strain on your personal resources. You may also say that since this was my first time driving a car, I should just buy a toy car and drive around the neighborhood-check!
Be honest about how much time and effort it takes to defend yourself in court. If you cannot afford a lawyer, help yourself by writing down some details about your case so that the prosecution and defense can know what happened.
Know what consequences you are facing
If you go to court, you can expect to have your case reviewed by a judge. Your lawyer can help the judge determine if there is reason to suspend your license.
If your license is suspended, you must take a course that teaches you how to drive. After taking this course, your license may be back in good standing.
Some states will allow drivers with suspended licenses to take their permits until they are able to get their driver’s license back. Others require proof of residency or citizenship before allowing it. Take care to make sure you have the correct documentation before taking any actions.
Talk to your lawyer beforehand
It is recommended that you contact your local police department or the District Attorney’s office to discuss what happens when you go to court for your suspended driver’s license. These agencies may have information regarding passing a blood alcohol content (BAC) test, meeting requirements to get a new driver’s license, and how to proceed if you do not have a valid driver’s license.
It is also recommended that you speak with a lawyer about this matter because your lawyer can help determine if there were any mistakes made during the suspension process or if the punishment was fit for the crime. A lawyer can also help determine how long your suspension should be based on the circumstances of the offense.
As mentioned before, it is better to meet with a lawyer beforehand so that he or she can give you proper guidance on this matter.
Make sure you show up (or have a good reason why you didn’t)
If you fail to appear in court, you may be sent a jail term and/or a fine depending on your crime. You may also have to pay for the cost of your imprisonment or fine.
In order to go to court, you must show up. If you do not show up in court, you will be sent a jail term and/or fined. Make sure to arrive at the courthouse on time so that you can properly prepare for your case.
If your suspended driver’s license is denied entry into Canada, make sure to contact Canadian border services before coming into Canada. If your driver’s license is already located in Canada, make sure to bring it back into compliance before going back abroad.
Don’t plead guilty right away
If you go to court at the same time as the police or probation officer, they can enter a deferred plea agreement with the judge. This means that you do not have to go to court and try to convince the judge that you are not guilty of driving without a license.
As a deferred-pleaholder, you meet with the judge once and she determines if you can work with him on a deal that is satisfactory to both of you. If he finds your guilty, he enters an agreement that says you will be given your license back in six months.
In order for this deal to work, you must be honest about your situation. The probation officer or police must be able to see if there are ways for you to get a new license without going to court.
If there is no change possible in court, then there is no point in discussing deferred-plea with the authorities because they will refuse your application due to your status as a convicted driver.
Hear what the prosecutor has to say
At the court hearing, the prosecutor presents evidence and answers questions from the judge.
At this stage, the prosecutor can make requests of the court, such as to reduce or increase bail or to exclude evidence of other criminal convictions.
Exclusion of evidence is important at this stage as it may help prove your innocence. If you have other charges, excluding those may help show that you are not reformed and don’t pose a risk to society.
nilofsky: It is very rare for a judge to revoke a suspended driver’s license at this stage. However, if the driver has been arrested while driving, then there are additional requirements that must be met. Bail must be granted before any driving activities take place.