Driving Without Privileges Attorney in Boise, ID

1. Any person
2. who drives or is in actual physical control of any motor vehicle
3. upon Idaho highways
4. with knowledge or who has received legal notice that his driver’s license, driving privileges, or permit to drive is revoked, disqualified, or suspended
5. in Idaho or any other jurisdiction
6. is guilty of a misdemeanor.

A person has knowledge that his license, driving privileges or permit to drive is revoked, disqualified or suspended when:

1. He has actual knowledge of the revocation, disqualification or suspension of his license, driving privileges or permit to drive; or
2. He has received oral or written notice from a verified, authorized source, that his license, driving privileges or permit to drive was revoked, disqualified or suspended; or
3. Notice of the suspension, disqualification or revocation of his license, driving privileges or permit to drive was mailed by first class mail to his address, as shown in the transportation department records, and he failed to receive the notice or learn of its contents as a result of his own unreasonable, intentional or negligent conduct or his failure to keep the transportation department apprised of his mailing address as required; or
4. He has knowledge of, or a reasonable person in his situation exercising reasonable diligence would have knowledge of, the existence of facts or circumstances which, under Idaho law, might have caused the revocation, disqualification or suspension of his license, driving privileges or permit to drive.

Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation for the first time will be sentenced to jail for a mandatory minimum period of not less than two (2) days, and may be sentenced to not more than six (6) months. The sentencing judge, however, may authorize the defendant to be assigned to a work release or work detail program within the custody of the county sheriff during the period of incarceration or, if the underlying suspension that resulted in the violation of this section is not a suspension resulting from an offense identified in subsection (8) of Idaho Code § 18-8001, the judge may authorize an equivalent amount of community service in lieu of jail, or any equivalent combination of these options. The judge also may fine a defendant in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), in addition to the jail sentence. Moreover, a person convicted of this offense may have his driving privileges suspended by the court for a period not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days following the end of any period of suspension, disqualification, or revocation existing at the time of the violation. The defendant may request restricted driving privileges during the period of the suspension or disqualification, which the court may allow if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that driving privileges are necessary for his employment, education, or for family health needs.

Any person who pleads guilty to or is found guilty of a violation for a second time within five (5) years, irrespective of the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s), shall be sentenced to jail for a mandatory minimum period of not less than twenty (20) days, and may be sentenced to not more than one (1) year. However, the sentencing judge, may discretionarily authorize the defendant to be assigned to a work release or work detail program within the custody of the county sheriff during the period of incarceration or, if the underlying suspension that resulted in the violation of this section is not a suspension resulting from an offense identified in subsection (8) of Idaho Code §18-8001, the judge may authorize an equivalent amount of community service in lieu of jail, or any equivalent combination of these options. The defendant also may be fined an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000); and may have his or her driving privileges suspended by the court for a period not to exceed one (1) year following the end of any period of suspension, disqualification or revocation existing at the time of the second violation. The defendant may request restricted driving privileges during the period of the suspension, which the court may allow if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that driving privileges are necessary for his employment, education or for family health needs.

Any person who has pled guilty to or been found guilty of more than two (2) violations of this section within five (5) years, notwithstanding the form of the judgment(s) or withheld judgment(s), is guilty of a misdemeanor; and

1. Shall be sentenced to the county jail for a mandatory minimum period of not less than thirty (30) days, and may be sentenced to not more than one (1) year; provided, however, that in the discretion of the sentencing judge, the judge may authorize the defendant to be assigned to a work release or work detail program within the custody of the county sheriff during the period of incarceration, or, if the underlying suspension that resulted in the violation of this section is not a suspension resulting from an offense identified in subsection (8) of this section, the judge may authorize an equivalent amount of community service in lieu of jail, or any equivalent combination of these options;
2. May be fined an amount not to exceed three thousand dollars ($3,000); and
3. May have his driving privileges suspended by the court for a period not to exceed two (2) years following the end of any period of suspension, disqualification or revocation existing at the time of the violation. The defendant may request restricted driving privileges during the period of the suspension, which the court may allow if the defendant shows by a preponderance of the evidence that driving privileges are necessary for his employment, education or for family health needs.

The offenses referred to in subsections above are:

1. Section 18-1501(3), Idaho Code, transporting a minor in a motor vehicle while under the influence;
2. Section 18-4006(3), Idaho Code, vehicular manslaughter;
3. Section 18-8001, Idaho Code, driving without privileges;
4. Section 18-8004, Idaho Code, driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances;
5. Section 18-8004C, Idaho Code, excessive alcohol concentration;
6. Section 18-8006, Idaho Code, aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicating substances;
7. Section 18-8007, Idaho Code, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death;
8. Section 49-1229, Idaho Code, required motor vehicle insurance;
9. Section 49-1232, Idaho Code, certificate or proof of liability insurance to be carried in motor vehicle;
10. Section 49-1401, Idaho Code, reckless driving;
11. Section 49-1404, Idaho Code, eluding a police officer;
12. Section 49-1428, Idaho Code, operating a vehicle without liability insurance;

You have an absolute defense to this charge and should not plead guilty. The state must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you had knew of the suspension. If they cannot, they will have a very weak case against you.

Yes, there are numerous way to minimize the impact of this charge. Just because the state may be able to prove the case does not mean that you should just plead guilty. There are still ways where we can get the prosecutor to amend the charge or work out a plea agreement where your license will not be suspended and the jail time can converted to another option like community service. You should contact me so that I can review your file and explain your options. The key is to get the client out of the snowball of suspensions and to get their license reinstated.