Aggravated Unlicensed Operation
If you have been caught driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, know that you are not alone. Aggravated unlicensed operation (AUO) of a motor vehicle is a criminal offense, a misdemeanor, and is charged quite often in the state of New York. Despite being common, the consequences are serious and facing charges without legal representation is ill-advised.
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Too many individuals charged with AUO in the state of New York plead guilty and suffer by carrying a criminal record with them for the rest of their lives. Make no mistake – these crimes are not seen by the State of New York as a minor offense. Enlisting the help of a seasoned criminal defense attorney to walk you through your options is one of the best decisions you can make. A criminal record will impact every aspect of your life, including your employability and family. You have too much at stake to forego legal representation. Do not take your chances and hire a respected New York Attorney today to take your case.
There are many reasons why your license may have been revoked or suspended
Driving without car insurance, a conviction due to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and receiving too many points from traffic tickets during an 18-month period are among them. Licenses can be suspended for something as simple as failing to answer a traffic ticket or pay a fine. Additionally, a 6-month mandatory revocation is given when one is found guilty of three speeding tickets within an 18-month period. While it may seem harmless to continue driving on a suspended or revoked license, this is a misdemeanor crime and one that carries possible jail time. What seems like not a big deal to you is deemed criminal in the State of New York.
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What are the consequences for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation?
It depends. There are varying penalties depending on the details and circumstances of your case. A third-degree AUO conviction is typically when the individual is caught driving a vehicle when they know or have reason to know their license was suspended or revoked. AUO in the third degree is punishable by fines up to $500 and while jailtime is unlikely for third-degree, it can include up to 30 days in jail.
Second-degree AUO carries more severe penalties than third degree. A $500 fine or more and 180 days in jail or probation is not uncommon. If your license suspension was due to driving while intoxicated then a required drug or alcohol program, a fine between $500 - $1,000 and greater jail sentence is likely.
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A first-degree conviction is a felony, with fines that can reach $5,000 and up to 4 years incarcerated. Due to the serious punishments attached to AUO at any degree, it is not advised that you take your own chances. In some cases of AUO, an individual is truly surprised to learn that their license has been suspended. Whether you knew or not does not matter. Prosecutors only need to prove that you had reason to know to win the case against you.
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Having a New York Attorney who knows the ins and outs of traffic and criminal law is crucial to keeping you out of even more trouble and ultimately winning your case. Especially in the state of New York, criminal matters associated with traffic violations carry with them severe penalties. With Stacey Pennetti as your attorney representing, you every step of the way, you receive a trusted, knowledgeable advocate who has helped countless clients face charges and receive the most lenient sentence possible. We understand that decent, respectable and law-abiding citizens find themselves faced with AUO charges and they do not deserve to carry a criminal background with them throughout the rest of their lives.
