AUO Attorney in Nassau County, Long Island
New York State requires that every individual operating a motor vehicle be in possession of a driver’s license. Driving without one is a serious offense that comes with overwhelming consequences. If you knew or should have known about the trouble with your license and were caught driving without one, you could be charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle ticket (AUO), which is a quite serious offense. If you didn’t know you had a problem with your license, you may face a small traffic infraction. To fully understand your case and protect your future, you should contact an attorney to guide you through the law and passionately fight your charges. If you need quality legal services from an experienced legal team, contact KCS Law as soon as possible.
Knowing the difference between driving without a license and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle
The difference between driving without a license and an AUO is monstrous. Driving without a license is a traffic infraction. An AUO is a serious problem. If you knew about your license’s status and willfully operated a vehicle, you have a serious problem and will need an effective attorney immediately. An AUO conviction is a criminal matter that can subject you to possible jail time and a potentially permanent criminal record.
Driving without a license
Driving without a license is a fixable ticket that comes with fines ranging from $75 to $300, and potential imprisonment of no more than 15 days. It is almost unheard of for someone to be sent to jail over the infraction and most of the time, it is a fixable ticket if you left your license at home and can easily prove that you have a valid one. An aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle is another story.
AUO in the third degree
A conviction of an AUO in the third degree means that you knew or should have reasonably known about the problem with your license. You willfully ignored the direction of the court, This offense is a misdemeanor. It comes with potential fines between $200 and $500 and potential imprisonment up to 30 days
AUO in the second degree
A conviction of an AUO in the second degree means that you were caught driving while already guilty of a first AUO within the last 18 months, the previous suspension was because of a chemical test refusal, a DWI, or 3 or more unanswered suspensions for failure to appear or pay a fine. This offense is also a misdemeanor. Depending on the circumstances that upgraded the offense to a second-degree charge, it comes with varying fines and terms of imprisonment.
AUO in the first degree
A conviction of an AUO in the first degree is a Class E felony. You could face these charges if you were caught committing an AUO in the second degree while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, committing an AUO in the third degree with at least 10 suspensions for failure to appear or pay a fine, or committed an AUO in the third degree with a permanent revocation of your license. You could face fines ranging from $500 to $5,000, and a term of incarceration of no more than 4 years.
Contact a Long Island attorney to fight your AUO charge
If you are convicted of aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, you are facing serious consequences. These are criminal charges that have the potential for incarceration and a permanent criminal record. If you have a permanent criminal record, you could impact the rest of your life, especially current employment and the ability to gain future employment. You need an attorney to fight for your future. If you need a Long Island attorney to explore all legal means to avoid or lessen the charges and defend your interests in court, contact KCS Law