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Driving Under Suspension

South Florida Driving on a Suspended License Lawyers

Driving on a suspended license in Florida can be classified as a civil traffic violation or a criminal offense. The criminal classification may range from a misdemeanor to felony charges.

Many alleged offenders understand the potential consequences of criminal charges, but people should also be aware of the possible long-term impact of simply paying a civil citation. Pleading guilty to the civil charge can mean that an alleged offender could have his or her license revoked for five years if he or she receives two more similar or related convictions within five years.

Palm Beach County Driving Under Suspension Lawyer

Were you recently cited for driving with a suspended license in South Florida? You should have experienced legal counsel evaluate all of your legal options.

Our driving under suspension attorneys at Meltzer & Bell, P.A. help get these types of charges reduced or dismissed for clients in such communities as West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Riviera Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Delray Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Greenacres, and Royal Palm Beach. You can have our firm review your case when you call (561) 557-8686 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.

Florida Driving Under Suspension Information Center

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Reasons Why Driver Licenses Are Suspended in West Palm Beach

Whether an alleged offender is aware of it or not, a driver license can be suspended for any one of a number of reasons in Florida. Some of the reasons that motorists have their licenses suspended include, but are not limited to:

  • Failure to comply with traffic summons
  • Failure to appear on a traffic summons
  • Failure to pay fine
  • Unpaid tickets
  • Failure to complete court-ordered school
  • 15 unexcused school absences in 90 days
  • Inadequate/Field of Vision
  • Incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely
  • 12 driver license points within 12 months
  • 18 driver license points within 18 months
  • 24 driver license points within 36 months
  • Non-DUI traffic violation resulting in death or serious bodily injury
  • Delinquent in child support
  • Refusal to submit to DUI chemical or physical breath test

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Florida Driving Under Suspension Charges

Florida Statute § 322.34 states that any person who drives a vehicle upon Florida highways without knowing his or her license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked is guilty of a moving violation, If the alleged offender knowingly drives while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended, or revoked, the classification of the criminal offense depends on whether he or she has been previously convicted of the offense:

  • First Conviction — Second-degree misdemeanor
  • Second Conviction — First-degree misdemeanor
  • Third Conviction — Third-degree felony

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Penalties for Driving Under Suspension in Palm Beach County

A person who is convicted of driving on a suspended license can face possible imprisonment and fines if convicted. The length of a jail or prison sentence and the amount of the fine depends on the specific classification of the crime:

  • Second-Degree Misdemeanor — Up to 60 days in jail and fine of up to $500
  • First-Degree Misdemeanor — Up to one year in jail and fine of up to $1,000
  • Third-Degree Felony — Up to five years in prison and fines of up to $5,000

It is important to note that a motorist who is convicted of driving on a suspended or revoke license could risk being classified as a habitual traffic offender (HTO). This means the alleged offender will have his or her license revoked for five years and he or she cannot even request a hardship license for one year.

A motorist will be classified as an HTO for 15 convictions for moving traffic offenses for which points may be assessed or three or more convictions of any combination of  the following offenses within a five-year period:

  • Driving on a suspended or revoked license
  • Voluntary or involuntary manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used
  • Failing to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in the death or personal injury of another
  • Driving a commercial motor vehicle while license or  privilege is disqualified

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Find the Best Driving Under Suspension Lawyer in West Palm Beach

If you have been charged with driving under a suspended or revoked license in South Florida, it is in your best interest to immediately get legal representation. Meltzer & Bell, P.A. fights to defend the rights of clients all over Palm Beach County, including Delray Beach, Greenacres, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Riviera Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach Gardens.

Our firm has more than 20 years of combined experience handling these types of cases. Our driving under suspension attorneys will provide an honest evaluation of your case during a free legal consultation as soon as you call (561) 557-8686 today.

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Thousands of Big Wins in Florida

Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance and DUI (Second Offense w/in 5)
The Defendant was charged with Felony Possession of Controlled Substance, punishable by 5 years in prison, and Driving Under the Influence, a second DUI offense within five years of a prior DUI conviction which carries a mandatory jail sentence and a five-year driver’s license revocation. The Defendant’s vehicle was stopped by Officer Malave of the Sunrise Police Department for repeatedly stopping and starting his vehicle near an intersection and for violating a flashing yellow light by stopping and remaining stationary at the intersection. Officer Malave approached the vehicle and made contact with the Defendant. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the Officer noticed that the defendant had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech ; and the Defendant was incapable of formulating complete sentences. The Defendant would nod off in mid-sentence and was completely incoherent at times. After making those observations, Officer Malave, a female called for the assistance of two male officer’s due to the Defendant’s condition and physical size. The male officers loudly ordered the Defendant out of the car on multiple occasions, but the Defendant would not comply. The Officers attempted to forcibly remove the Defendant from the vehicle, but the Defendant resisted those efforts by bracing, pulling and stiffening his body so that the officers could not move him. The Defendant was slammed to the ground, which the officers took as a refusal to perform roadside exercises and then incorrectly read the Defendant implied consent, which only applies to breath tests. Officers noticed that there ere three cans of beer in the vehicle as well. The Defendant was arrested for DUI and was NOT taken to the Breath Testing Facility and DUI Room, but only the Broward County Main Jail. The Defendant was never asked to submit to a breath test. After the Defendant’s arrest, Officers discovered 27 pills located in a tackle box in the Defendant’s vehicle which ultimately were revealed to be anabolic steroids. Partner, Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer & Bell prepared for trial. During preparation, the firm filed several Motions in Limine (Motions to Exclude Evidence) that asked the court to exclude any reference to roadside exercises or the Defendant’s alleged refusal top perform them as the Defendant was not offered the roadside exercises and, thus, never refused them. Additionally, the court was asked to exclude any mention of a refusal to submit to a breath test or failure to give on as, again, one was never offered. Finally, the court was asked to prohibit the State from discussing the anabolic steroids as such pills, although a controlled substance, are not those of an impairing or intoxicating nature. After receiving the Motion, the state conceded and was compelled to drop all DUI related charges. Meltzer & Bell was also able to have all felony drug charges dropped as well.
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Result:  Not Guilty
Driving Under the Influence
The Defendant was charged with Driving Under the Influence. Officers of the Davie Police Department were alerted by a concerned citizen that our client was leaving The Billiard Club, a pool bar, in an extremely intoxicated state and about to drive. The Officer approached the vehicle as the car was in reverse, ordered the Defendant to stop the vehicle and conducted a wellness check and noticed the Defendant had bloodshot eyes, the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and extremely slurred speech. Based on those observations, the officer asked the Defendant to perform roadside sobriety exercises, to which the defendant refused. The Defendant was placed under arrest for DUI and was asked to submit to a breath test, but, again refused. Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer and Bell began to prepare for trial and researched case law in an effort to suppress or throw out the stop of the Defendant’s vehicle and all evidence that followed the stop as being unconstitutional and based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion as the Defendant had done nothing to justify her vehicle being stopped. The firm and Mr. Meltzer researched a similar factual scenario in State v. Sliviak in which the stop was suppressed based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in an almost identical situation. This case law was presented to the State prior to trial. Upon receiving it, the State agreed and dropped the DUI charge.
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Result:  Charges Dropped
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING
The Defendant was observed by Officer Troy Murdock of the Coral Springs Police Department traveling 55 in a 40mph and weaving uncontrollably to the extent traffic began to slow in order to evade her. The officer activated his emergency lights in order to stop the Defendant, however, she did not until she was forced to because of a traffic backup at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Coral Springs Drive. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage; that she could not handle or identify her vehicle documentation and that her speech was extremely slurred and that she was disoriented to the point where she was nodding off in front of the officer. When asked if she knew how fast she was moving the defendant responded by saying “I was doing 99.9”. The Defendant was asked to exit the vehicle and could not place the car in park. Upon exiting the vehicle, the Defendant almost fell into oncoming traffic and had to be saved by the officer. The Defendant could not maintain her balance and was disheveled in her appearance. The defendant refused to perform roadside exercises and later refused a breath test. The defendant had previously been arrested for DUI and previously had her licensed suspended for refusing a breath test and admitted to “having some vodkas”. Meltzer & Bell, once again, proceeded to trial. At trial, our attorneys were able to demonstrate that the officer was not truthful in his testimony through the use of photographs and google satellite photos, and based upon the testimony of the client.
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Result:  DUI Dismissed
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This past year I bought myself a new toy. It’s the third bike I’ve owned, so ‘Im familiar with the tickets that come with it. So far Steven Bell, Esq. has had my reckless driving reduced to a $50 fine and driving school-no points and a complete dismissal of criminal charges. Had my driving without a license dropped-no points. And a 30 over speeding ticket to a fine and driving school-no points. I’d have to say this law-firm handles their own. If your looking for a stress free way of handling your tickets call Meltzer and Bell PA, “The Traffic Stop”.

L.J.
19 Aug 2023

Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” really went above and beyond in their representation of me in Osceola County on my speeding ticket. They may possibly be THE BEST traffic lawyers I’ve ever encountered. Be sure to send your friends and family to the Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” for their traffic ticket and DUI needs. I can’t believe that they got the result that they did. Quite simply, they are the most professional firm that I have ever dealt with, and their level of expertise and communication is unparalleled.

I sincerely thank you for everything.

J.N.
27 Jul 2023

I just had to commend you on the outstanding job you did on behalf of your client in court yesterday. If my clients were ever to ask me if I know of a good DUI defense attorney, I know to whom I can refer them!

A.A.
14 Jun 2023

I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my ticket for me. I am thrilled with the outcome and I will definitely refer you to all my family and friends! Thank you so much!

C.W.
05 May 2023

Thank you Meltzer and Bell, The Traffic Stop, for handling my recent accident case. You did an amazing job in getting my case dismissed and saved me TONS of money in the long run. I will always recommend your services to anyone who wants the job done right!

K.R.
25 Apr 2023
Driving Under Suspension
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