Being a repeat offender when it comes to traffic violations can be difficult. It can be a challenge to both have the legal means and the confidence to get back on the road. There are some options that you do have to help you get back on the road that can make driving with confidence come with ease. For those repeat offenders that need a private attorney, the right representation matters.
The technical definition of a habitual traffic offender is someone that has a long list of traffic violations on their record and that may be a danger to themselves and other people on the roadway. This can be traffic tickets for speeding, tickets for driving recklessly, tickets for running stop signs, or basically any ticket or violation that might prove that you are a danger on the road.
You can even get this distinction by having multiple accidents that you caused or that you have been found to be at fault for. So, what does this mean for your driving privileges? For those that have been deemed a habitual traffic offender, in some states this alone is enough to have your license revoked. For those that stick to the point system a bit closer, you may have to accumulate points before your privileges are going to be revoked.
With the point system, each driver starts out with no points on their license. This means that they have no violations that were serious enough that the officer or anyone else felt the need to cite and have points taken off of their license. With each offense, points are going to build up. Depending on the severity of the offense, more or fewer points will be added.
A good example might be getting three points for driving 15 miles over the speed limit, or 3 points for failing to yield the right of way. These are offenses that are going to stay on your record for a set period of time. The points are going to stay on your license for a set period of time depending on the state that you live in. In the state of Kentucky for instance, the points stay on the record for two years from the time of the conviction.
When the driver has accumulated the 12 points, or whatever amount the state you live in has deemed, your license will be revoked for a period of time. In most cases, this period of time is about six months. This is to give you time to go through the necessary driving courses to help you learn how to be a better driver, refresh the traffic laws in your mind, and help make the overall process easier.
With the point system, there are often some things that you can do to help get your license back faster and to really get over the issues that you have had. For those that are over the age of 21, the number of points that you can accumulate in higher than someone that is under the age of 18 for instance. Those that are under the age of 18 are going to be able to get fewer points before their driving privileges are revoked and they are no longer able to drive.
The first step to getting back on the road following being deemed a habitual offender is to get your charges cleared up. Though you might not be able to get them taken entirely off of your record, you can get them deferred and you can get your license restored. The first step is to hire an attorney that can help you figure out what charges are against you, and what proof or leverage they have, and they also need to figure out what you can do to help get those charges either amended or lessened.
You can often get traffic tickets deferred by either paying the fines that are associated with them, doing community service, or doing some sort of driving program that proves that you are actually trying to become a better driver. Deferral usually only happens after you have been violation-free for a period of time that is going to be predetermined by the courts, and after you have also done the necessary driving courses that go along with getting your license back.
When you are in trouble for having too many points on your license or for being a repeat offender, you can do a few things to help get your license back faster. First, you can take approved classes that pertain to the type of violation that you have. If you have gotten in trouble for DUI or DWI, you can take approved DUI and DWI classes, if you have been caught speeding you can take defensive driving classes, and so on.
Your local DMV is going to be able to help you figure out what classes are approved, what classes you need to have points taken back off your license, and what classes are actually going to be a benefit to you in terms of getting back on track. The next thing you can do is to take the time to pay any and all fines that might be associated with your record. If you have outstanding fines, paying them can show that you have good faith and that you are trying to become a better, more responsible driver.
The last thing you can do is simply be patient. It is going to take time for charges to fall off of your record and for your license to be back to working order. You can always retain a lawyer to help you fight charges that you might not feel were right or that you feel were not fair toward you as well.
If you are caught driving without a license you are going to face a harsher sentence than you would if you waited for the charges to drop off so that you can have your license reinstated. Sure, traffic violations are terrible, but driving without a license does carry a harsher penalty. Driving on a revoked or suspended license does carry a fine of up to $250 and up to 90 days in jail.
If you are a habitual offender, that has already been in trouble for a range of traffic violations, you are more likely to get the maximum penalty. If you are a first-time offender and you have just been caught without your license you may end up having to go through traffic school to get your license back. Now, if you are caught driving on a suspended license and you are a habitual offender, you are not going to be able to just get your license back if you follow the traffic rules and get your tickets paid.
If you have been caught driving without a license you are likely going to have to either do jail time, pay a fine or do a deferral program to help you learn how to be a better driver. You are also going to likely lose your license for an even longer period of time to be able to get your license reinstated.
For those that want to fight their charges or that want to fight to get their rights back, a lawyer is going to be your best bet. They can do a few things to help you get your license back. First, they can help to get an accurate record of each infraction and find out if you are actually liable or responsible for the things that the officer or officers have said that you did.
Next, they will be able to help you find the right programs that will help you get your license back and get your driving record cleared. They are going to know any legal shortcuts or legal help you can use to argue to get your rights back and avoid doing any jail time and avoid having to go with your license suspended. There is nothing worse than having a suspended license and having to try to figure out how you are going to go about living your life. It can make getting to work hard, getting to school, and it can also put a huge damper on your social life. If you are dealing with a suspended license because you are a habitual traffic offender, it is always best to take the time to talk with a lawyer about what your options are.
They are going to be able to talk you through your offenses, they are going to be able to talk you through what options you have, and they are going to be on your side and fight for you and for your rights. Being a habitual traffic offender is difficult, it can make it hard to do just about anything. That being said, the right lawyer and legal team can help you figure out what your next steps are and can help you figure out what options are going to work best for you and for your particular needs.
A great lawyer is a fantastic help and they can support you through your trial and through the process of trying to get your license back after it has been suspended for repeated traffic offenses and for repeated traffic violations that you might have.
