Everything You Need to Know About DUI Without License Cases in DC
Washington DC DUI Without License
If you are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) while having a suspended or revoked license, you could be facing some serious charges and penalties if convicted.
Driving without a valid license or with a revoked driver’s license is an independent crime in DC. How serious the charge will be is typically dependent on why the person is unlicensed.
If a person is arrested for a DUI-related offense in addition to driving without a license or restricted license, they are going to be charged with driving without a valid driver’s license and a DUI.
However, if you have been charged with driving without a license due to previous DUI offenses, the law deems this a serious charge that may result in jail time if you are convicted.
If you have been charged with a DUI-related offense and driving without a valid driver’s license, hiring a skilled and experienced DUI lawyer is critical.
Joseph A. Scrofano of Scrofano Law is a dedicated DC DUI lawyer that has helped many clients avoid DUI convictions and other traffic violations over the years. If you are looking for a qualified attorney, contact us today, and we may just be able to help you with your case.
Can You Get a DUI If You Don’t Have a License?
If you are caught driving without a valid license while also under the influence, you may be charged with driving without a license and get a DUI charge.
In Washington DC, unlicensed drivers or persons driving on a suspended license will be deemed to be driving without a valid license. If a person’s license is found to be invalid, they could potentially face multiple penalties for violating a range of laws.
If a person committed a DUI while driving without a valid license, they would be deemed to have committed a serious offense by the DC law enforcement and legal departments.
As such, it is critical to work with an experienced attorney in such an instance.
Contact us today if you have been arrested and charged with such offenses. Over the years, the attorneys at Scrofano Law have helped many drivers avoid convictions and harsh penalties such as serious jail time or expensive fines.
What Happens If You Get a DUI Without a License?
If a person is arrested for a DUI while driving without a license, judges and prosecutors in Washington DC will come down very hard on them. This is because the legal system takes this very seriously and imposes harsher penalties upon a DUI conviction.
The rationale is that the person was caught driving under the influence while not being legally allowed to drive the vehicle even if they were sober. Nonetheless, the maximum penalty for a DUI remains the same, even if your DUI arrest also included driving without a valid driver’s license.
Since you could be facing harsher potential penalties for such offenses, it is critical to work with a local lawyer if you are arrested at a traffic stop for a DUI while not having a valid license. Whether you are facing misdemeanors or criminal charges, we may be able to help you in the courts or negotiations with the prosecution.
Joseph A. Scrofano of Scrofano Law is a dedicated DC DUI lawyer who has helped many drivers beat their cases in court. Once you contact us and establish an attorney-client relationship, we may look at the circumstances of your case and decide on the way forward.
How to Avoid License Suspension After DUI
If a person is arrested or charged with a DUI, one of the potential consequences upon conviction is the suspension of their license. You should note that a first-offense DUI and all subsequent ones are deemed a misdemeanor in DC.
If you are found driving under the influence, the prosecution and the courts will usually take into account the circumstances of the case to decide if you should have your license suspended or not.
Second DUI offenses usually result in a license suspension of up to one year compared to just 130 days for first-time convictions. The minimum penalty for a subsequent offense increases from zero days in jail and community service for prior DUI offenses to no less than ten days in jail for the second offense.
You could face stiffer penalties for second-time DUI offenses and are driving on a suspended license. Prosecutors may seek harsher penalties beyond the mandatory minimum than if you just had your license suspended for an offense that was not a DUI.
If you have been charged with driving without a license along with a DUI case, you should work with an experienced Washington DC and Virginia DUI lawyer. Once you contact us, our attorney may provide an initial consultation to provide legal advice on going forward with your case.
Charges for a DUI Without a License
There are several charges for driving without a license that would still apply for driving under the influence without a valid license.
Types of DUI Charges
In most cases, a person accused of a DUI while driving a vehicle with a suspended license will face the exact DUI charges as a driver with a valid license.
However, a person accused of driving under the influence while on a suspended license may have to face two distinct and separate charges of driving on a suspended license and under the influence.
Each of the charges comes with its own penalty and will need to be argued by the prosecution independent of the other.
For example, even though the maximum penalties for driving under the influence remain the same when you are accused of driving with a suspended license, it could result in harsher and more severe penalties than if you had a valid license.
When and How Are the Charges Heard?
When you are arrested for driving a vehicle while under the influence and driving on a suspended license, both cases will usually be heard at the same time. The court will usually bring a charge of No Permit or Driving on a Suspended License and Driving Under the Influence as separate counts in the same case.
The case will typically be prosecuted by the same prosecutor, court, and judge. Nonetheless, both cases will be deemed separate charges, and the prosecution will need to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt in both cases.
If you are looking for a Washington or Maryland DUI lawyer, you should contact the attorneys at Scrofano Law, and we may provide you with legal advice on how to go forward. We can help you with your Washington DC, Maryland, or Virginia DUI. Our skills and experience could get you better outcomes from the legal processes.
What Statutes Govern DUI Without License Charges?
There are several laws that drivers placed under arrest for DUI without a license are subjected to. You could be charged with the offense called No Permit and Driving Under the Influence (DUI) at the same time.
If you are charged with a DUI and are found to have been driving a vehicle with a revoked or suspended driver’s license, you could also be charged with “Operating After Suspended” and “Operating After Revoked.”
When facing charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license, your best chance at beating the charges is to work with a DC DUI without a license attorney.
202-630-0926
Contact a Dedicated Washington DC DUI Lawyer
If you or somebody you know has been charged with a DUI in DC, contact Jason Kalafat of Scrofano Law at 202-630-0949 today to start developing an effective defense.