Driving While Suspended May Result In Extending Your Suspension

Many New Jersey motorists are stopped on a daily basis for routine traffic offenses only to find out their license is suspended. In many cases, the drivers are suspended for failure to pay a parking ticket, failure to pay New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) fines or other administrative reasons. On the other hand, the drivers have been suspended for other reasons such as prior driving while suspended charges, driving under the influence, controlled dangerous substances (CDS) in a motor vehicle or other drug offenses. No matter the reason, driving while suspended can cause an extended loss of your license that you may not have anticipated prior to that routine traffic stop. Violating N.J.S.A. 39:3-40, the NJ statue relating to driving while suspended, carries monetary fines as well as a potential loss of license depending on the circumstances. For first offenders, drivers will have a fine of up to five hundred dollars as well as a surcharge of two hundred and fifty dollars to the NJMVC each calendar year. For second and third time offenders, the fines for driving while suspended increase up to seven hundred and fifty dollars and one thousand dollars respectively. Second and third offenses can also carry from five to ten days imprisonment. Having an experienced attorney can greatly benefit those drivers who are trying to maneuver through these violations with little or no penalties for them to face when their day in municipal court approaches. Those who drive while suspended for driving under the influence face greater penalties. Those drivers can be fined up to an additional five hundred dollars and lose their license for at least one year but not more than two years in addition to suspension period levied during their DWI sentencing. If you are pulled over and are told your license has been suspended, it may be a simple mistake on the part of the NJMVC. However, you do not want to take that for granted due to the consequences and must appear in municipal court with proof the matter has been resolved or you will be subject to the same penalties as if your license was actually suspended. Driving while suspended in NJ carries serious penalties and should not be taken lightly. If you are charged driving while suspended in NJ you should seek an experienced attorney immediately to protect your rights. For more information on municipal court, DUI, CDS in a motor vehicle or other serious drug charges in New Jersey visit HeatherDarlingLawyer.com. This blog is for informational purposes only and in no way intended to replace the advice of an attorney.