Driving without a valid license is no small thing in the state of California. It is illegal, it is a misdemeanor, and it can lead to a criminal record. Depending on the police officer that issues the citation, it could also simply be an infraction. Regardless of what happens when you’re caught, this is not a situation you want to take on without a criminal defense attorney. Read on to learn more and then reach out to Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free consultation.
You may or may not need a California license to legally drive in California
According to California’s DMV laws, the license you use to drive doesn’t have to be a California driver’s license. Any license that’s valid in the state or country you’re from is valid in California as long as you’re just a visitor and are not living permanently in California.
However, if you do move to California, the law states that you have ten days after establishing residence to apply for your California license. Residency applies to anyone who is attending a college or university, or a personal that’s employed in the state. There are exceptions. If you’re not sure if you must be a resident and get a California driver’s license, reach out to Chambers Law Firm to get answers.
The penalties for driving without a license can be significant
You’re unlikely to spend years in prison just for driving without a license but you could still see serious consequences. This is a misdemeanor offense and a conviction could lead to three years of information probation, towing and impounding of the car you were driving, fines of as much as $1,000 and up to six months in county jail.
While it is rare for a person to get sentenced to jail for this infraction, it will be on your criminal record. As a result, any further offense, even if it’s minor, may have sentencing enhancements due to a conviction for driving without a license.
A criminal defense attorney may be able to help you
When you work with an attorney, we may be able to convince the prosecution to reduce the charge to an infraction. If they agree, then the fine is $250, you won’t have to serve probation, and you will not have a criminal record. Essentially, it’s like a speeding ticket. If you’re guilty of driving without a license and there is evidence against you, then this is likely the best possible scenario.
In other cases, if you weren’t guilty, or the evidence against you was obtained illegally, then we may be able to have the charges dropped altogether. It all depends on what the situation was, what your criminal background looks like, and other factors.
Regardless of the situation, the sooner you call an attorney the sooner you can get your case dealt with. Reach out to Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 today for a free case evaluation. We can help you understand your options and chose the best way to move forward.
