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Will Criminal Charges Impact My Driving Privileges?

Call Our Skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer to Protect Your Right to Drive

Being charged or/and convicted of a crime can have serious consequences. Indeed, if you are convicted of a crime, you may face administrative and criminal penalties, like jail time and large fines, and even if you are not convicted, an arrest will still show up on your record and could impair your ability to secure certain opportunities in the future.

And dealing with criminal charges can also impact your driving privileges, too. Here’s a look into what you need to know if you are charged with or convicted of a crime and the effect on your ability to operate a motor vehicle–

When Will a License Be Suspended or Revoked?

There are a myriad of things that can result in the suspension or revocation of a driver’s license. As explained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, your driver’s license may be suspended if:

  • You fail to appear at traffic court or fail to pay a traffic fine;
  • You accumulate too many points on your driving record (12 points within 12 months results in a 30-day suspension, 18 points within 18 months a three-month suspension, and 24 points within 36 months a one-year suspension);
  • Possession and use of a fraudulent driver’s license;
  • Traffic violation other than a DUI offense that results in death or serious bodily injury to another party; and
  • Failure to pay child support (which in some cases, can have criminal consequences).

A revocation of a license is also possible. Your license may be revoked if you are considered to be a habitual traffic offender.

Of course, there are also suspensions that are issued specifically as a result of a criminal conviction. For example, if you are convicted of a DUI, your license may be suspended. License suspension may also occur if you are convicted of certain drug crimes. But it’s not just a conviction alone that can result in a suspended license, but failure to pay fees. In fact, there are nearly two million drivers whose licenses are suspended in the state, the majority of whom have suspended licenses as a result of failing to pay court fines and fees.

As a note, the state also enforces automatic license suspension in some cases. For example, if you fail to comply with implied consent laws and submit to chemical testing to determine blood alcohol concentration level, your license can be automatically suspended.

Protect Your License if You’ve Been Charged with a Crime

If you’ve been charged with a crime, even if you have not been convicted, you may be at risk of having your license suspended. To learn more about license suspension laws in Florida and what you can do to protect your right to drive, you need a skilled attorney on your side. At the Law Office of Mark G. Rodriguez, P.A., we are here to advocate for you. Please call us today for your consultation and the help of a legal professional you can count on.