A person who has been caught driving with a suspended license or without a license at all is going to face serious consequences. These consequences only worsen when a person who is driving without a license is charged with an aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. This charge is administered when a person knew or should have known that they did not have a valid driver’s license. This is much more severe than just leaving your valid license at home and driving somewhere without it.
Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, or AUO, is broken down into three degrees of severity. A third degree AUO is the least severe of the three but anyone charged with this offense is facing a misdemeanor as well as fines that range from $200-$500 and up to 30 days of imprisonment. Second degree AUO charges are misdemeanors that are issued when a person has already been found guilty of a first offense AUO within the past year and a half. Other reasons in which a person may be charged with a second degree AUO can include a license suspension due to a DWI, a breathalyzer test refusal, or failure to pay a fine. First degree AUO charges are one of the most serious driving offenses a person can be charged with because they are Class E felonies. Persons convicted of a first degree AUO offense are subject to a fine of $500-$5,000 and up to four years of incarceration.
These offenses are incredibly serious and should not be taken lightly because they can provide you with a permanent criminal record that can have a serious impact on any future jobs you may apply for, loans you wish to apply for, and housing you may want to acquire. It is crucial that you obtain the services of an experienced attorney who can assist you in fighting these charges.
If you are in need of experienced legal counsel in New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. and we would be happy to assist you.
