Driving With a Suspended License Lawyer
in Madison, Georgia

Driving with a Suspended License in Morgan County

Driving with a suspended license is a criminal offense in Georgia—one that could lead to a permanent criminal record and considerable future consequences.

Whether a license has been suspended administratively by the DMV or by court order, it is intended to remove driving privileges and prevent the driver from getting behind the wheel. Any drivers who choose to ignore that runs the risk of being caught—and all of the associated penalties.

If you have been caught driving with a suspended license, it is essential to take steps to prevent a criminal conviction. Your best chance of doing that is by enlisting the assistance of an experienced Georgia traffic violation lawyer.

What is driving with a suspended license?

Every day, people drive on Georgia’s roads without a license or while their license is suspended— without being caught. However, they are playing a very dangerous game. Many suspended or unlicensed drivers are eventually caught breaking the law at a roadblock or after being stopped for another traffic violation. It is generally only a matter of time before they are caught.

In addition to the initial offense for which they were suspended, they likely then receive another ticket for driving with a suspended license.

So, if you are charged with driving on a suspended license, this will initiate a second case, and you will have to address both of the following:

1. The Georgia Department of Driver’s Services first case (license suspension)
2. The traffic case (criminal case) dealt with by the Georgia court system

A Georgia suspended license attorney can help you address both cases, but it is important to take prompt action to protect your rights.

The original case (suspension)

Firstly, your attorney will attempt to get your license reinstated from the first case. You may need to settle old tickets or take a defensive driving class and there may be other stipulations depending on why the license was originally suspended.

The criminal case (driving while suspended)

If your license can be reinstated, your license suspension attorney will turn attention to the criminal case and try to prevent the potential future consequences. Ideally, your case will be dismissed. Alternatively, the charge can be reduced so that the consequences are less severe, and you can drive again.

Penalties for driving with a suspended license in Georgia

The penalties for driving with a suspended license in Georgia depend on the criminal history of the defendant.

First conviction

A first conviction for driving on a suspended license will be prosecuted as a misdemeanor and potentially result in:

• Between two days and twelve months in jail
• A fine of $500 to $1,000

With seasoned legal representation, there is a good chance that even a conviction for driving while suspended will not result in jail time if it is your first offense.

A second or third conviction

A second or third conviction within five years will be prosecuted as a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature and potentially result in:

• Between 10 days and twelve months in jail
• A fine of $1,000 to $2,500

A fourth or subsequent conviction

A fourth or subsequent conviction within five years will be prosecuted as a felony and potentially result in:

• A prison term between one and five years
• A fine between $2,500 and $5,000 or both

The resulting felony conviction can also affect employment, housing, credit, and other aspects of your life.

In each of the above cases—regardless of whether the offense is prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony—an additional punishment of six months’ suspension will be imposed for a conviction by the Department of Driver’s Services.

Following the expiry of the additional six months’ suspension, the defendant must pay a reinstatement fee as follows:

• First conviction: $210 reinstatement fee ($200 if paid by mail)
• Second conviction: $310 reinstatement fee ($300 if paid by mail)

Third conviction: $410 reinstatement fee ($400 if paid by mail)

How to avoid a license suspension in Georgia

To avoid a license suspension and the types of consequences outlined above, drivers should follow these tips:

• If your license is already suspended, do not drive! Otherwise, you run the risk of another six months’ suspension plus a criminal record.
• Do not drive without insurance—that runs the risk of a license suspension in Georgia, too.
• Pay all your tickets so that the Department of Driver Services has no reason to suspend your license.
• Never leave the scene of an accident—as this can lead to suspension.
• Keep track of demerit points on your license.

Why defendants in license suspension cases should seek legal representation

If you receive a traffic ticket, it may come with the threat of a license suspension but a suitably qualified traffic offense lawyer can advise you of options that you may not have considered, as well as providing valuable legal support.

If your suspension is based on accumulating too many points on your driving record, an attorney should be able to help you explore options for reducing points or taking a defensive driving course to keep your license from being suspended. This can help you retain your driving privileges.

Licenses can also be suspended for failing to pay child support. An attorney can assist in negotiations of payments so that the suspension can be lifted.

Traffic infractions can also lead to license suspensions, but cases are often highly complex and technical. Many people accept their fate, pay the fine, and move on but challenging the ticket can often prevent unforeseen circumstances.

DUI cases are often especially technical, and it is important to fight the charge and avoid the accompanying criminal record.

Anyone caught driving with a suspended license should seek the help of an experienced local criminal defense lawyer. Your attorney can negotiate with the court and prosecutors on your behalf, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome.

Can an attorney help with the license reinstatement process?

Once the license suspension ends, you cannot drive legally again until your license is reinstated. This does not happen automatically. You must pay fees and may have to attend classes or provide proof of insurance.

A seasoned attorney can advise you on how to proceed with these necessary steps so that you can drive legally again.

In some cases, an attorney can also help obtain a limited driving permit, which allows you to drive for certain activities, such as getting to work or medical appointments.

Contact Michael Fulcher Law Today

If you are facing a charge of driving with a license suspension in Morgan County, Georgia, speak to a criminal defense lawyer from Michael Fulcher Law, LLC. We will outline your legal options, help you navigate the judicial system, and reduce the impact on your future. Contact us for a free consultation or call us at 706-438-1555.

“Mr. Fulcher has been tremendously helpful with my case. Since hiring him he has consistently returned my calls as quickly as he can. We discussed an ideal outcome, and I set about doing exactly as he said. Following his advice we were able to get a very favorable outcome. He is always quick to answer any questions, and has stayed very engaged with me throughout this ordeal. Michael provides excellent counsel, and I would recommend him to anyone!”