A no drivers license violation in Tulsa, Oklahoma can get you into more trouble than you would think.
You may think driving without a license is no big deal at first. But depending on the circumstances, you could end up in jail.
Here are some things you might want to consider.
State Law Requires a License
In Oklahoma, you must have a valid license in order to drive on any public roadway. Okla. Stat. tit. 47 § 6-303
If you are driving on private property without a valid license, in all likelihood, no one will care. But getting behind the wheel of a car and going to the grocery store requires that your license be valid — meaning current.
If you are caught committing a no drivers license violation, you will be charged with a misdemeanor crime. If you can show the court that you have renewed your license before your court date, you may be entitled to a dismissal.
If you are convicted, you could spend up to 30 days in jail, pay a fine of up to $300, or both. A jail sentence can cause you to lose your job and can ruin relationships.
The Cause for a Revoked or Suspended License Matters
Important questions underlie the lack of a valid driver’s license, the answers to which can produce more or less grief for you. It could be that you have a valid license, but it isn’t in your possession at the time you are stopped. This may be the best possible outcome for you, as you may have the charges dismissed or the fine reduced.
However, if your license is canceled, denied, suspended, or revoked at the time you are pulled over, you could face greater consequences.
For a first no drivers license violation, you will face a fine between $100 and $500.
For a second conviction, the fine increases, from $200 to $750; for any subsequent conviction, the fine increases again, to between $300 and $1,000.
In addition, the court may send you to jail for up to one year.
You will face even greater consequences if caught driving on a license that has been revoked or suspended pursuant to a driving under the influence or DUI conviction. In that case, a fine for your first offense will run you between $500 and $1,000.
If you are caught a second time, you fine will increase to $2,000. A third offense will net a fine between $2,000 and $5,000 in addition to a year in jail. Okla. Stat. tit. 47 § 6-303
Finally, if you are caught driving on a suspended or revoked license, the court can extend the period of time that your license will remain revoked or suspended — up to a year in some cases. Driving remains a privilege, not a right in Oklahoma.
If you or a loved one has lost their license or is facing the loss of driving privileges and have questions about what this means for them, it is best to contact an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney. Your attorney may be able to help you or your loved one retain limited driving privileges, such as to and from work. In addition, your attorney may help you avoid jail time or reduce your fines.
Initial Strategy Session: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
We here at Seventh Street Law Firm are proud to offer our clients the very best in criminal defense representation at reasonable rates.
For a low-cost consultation in matters requiring criminal defense in Tulsa, call Seventh Street Law Firm today at 918-932-2777.
If you prefer e-mail correspondence, please send your question or inquiry using the form at the right side of this page.