Driving without a License in Barstow (VC 12500)
Were you cited for driving without a license in Barstow under VC 12500? If so, you should know that this is a very serious matter, and you should not take it lightly. A conviction for this offense could lead to you being sentenced to jail and expensive fines. That is why you should contact an experienced Barstow traffic attorney immediately if you were cited for driving without a license.
Our skilled and knowledgeable Barstow traffic attorneys have been helping clients fight traffic tickets in Barstow traffic court for more than 35 years. We can help you fight your citation and work to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Call our office now at (760) 997-7887 for a free phone consultation so we can begin to help you.
The Crime of Driving without a Driver’s License (VC 12500)
Under VC 12500, the crime of driving without a license occurs when a person is driving without a valid driver’s license. This could mean that you never obtained a license from the DMV or that your license expired and you failed to renew it.
Driving without a license is a very fact specific offense. If you are driving and you do not have a valid license, you could be cited for driving without a license. However, there are additional vehicle code sections that you could commit that are similar to VC 12500. For example, if you have a valid license but you do not have it on your person at the time you are pulled over, you could be charged with failure to display a valid license under VC 12951. Additionally, driving without a valid license differs from driving on a suspended license under VC 14601.
Penalties for Driving Without a License in Barstow (VC 12500)
There is a wide range of possible penalties for driving without a license. The consequences you face will depend upon whether you are cited for an infraction or charged with a misdemeanor for driving without a driver’s license.
Generally, if this is your first offense, driving without a valid license will be considered an infraction. This offense carries a base fine of up to $250, but you will likely have to pay much more when factoring in court costs and fees.
However, if this is your second offense for driving without a license, you may be charged with a misdemeanor. Misdemeanor driving without a license is taken very seriously by the Barstow Court. This offense requires you to make a court appearance. It also carries a sentence of up to six months in county jail and fines of up to $1,000. A second offense could also lead to your car being impounded for up to 30 days.
What Should I Do If I’m Cited for Driving without a License in Barstow?
You should act right away if you or someone you know has been cited for driving without a license in Barstow. Our skilled Barstow traffic attorneys recommend you take the following steps immediately after you receive a citation for driving without a license:
- Write down the facts of the case – Write down everything you can remember about being stopped and cited by law enforcement as soon as possible. Why were you pulled over? What questions did the law enforcement officer ask you? Where did you receive the citation? Write down the answer to all these questions while the incident is still fresh in your mind.
- Find out where your ticket is being handled – If you were cited for driving without a license near the Barstow area or on Interstate 15, you will likely receive a paper version of the ticket that tells you when and where you are being requested to appear in court for your traffic citation.
- Speak to an experienced Barstow traffic attorney – Call our law firm immediately with the information from the two steps above and our skilled Barstow traffic attorneys can determine how we may be able to help you fight your traffic ticket.
Defenses to Driving without a License in Barstow
Although this law is fact specific, there are some possible legal defenses our attorneys may be able to use to fight your citation. Some defenses our Barstow traffic attorneys have used to successfully fight driving without a license charges include:
Your driver’s license was valid at the time you were pulled over
You had a valid license that was issued by another state, and
The law enforcement officer who pulled you over was not enforcing the vehicle code at the time of the stop
These are just some of the legal defenses our Barstow traffic attorneys may be able to apply in your case. Call our law firm today at (760) 997-7887 so we can discuss the facts of your case and determine how we may able to defend you.
Speak to Our Experienced Barstow Traffic Attorneys Today
If you received a citation for driving without a license, you should speak to our experienced Barstow traffic attorneys at Wallin & Klarich immediately. Our skilled and knowledgeable lawyers have more than 35 years of experience successfully representing clients in traffic matters out of the Barstow traffic court. Let us help you now.
Call our office today at (760) 997-7887 so we can help you fight your ticket. We will get through this together.
