Bail Bonds For An Arrest For Driving With A Revoked Or Suspended License

Driving on a Suspended License in California
Vehicle Code 14601 VC

California Vehicle Code 14601 and its related sections prohibit driving when you know that your driver’s license has been suspended or revoked. These offenses are misdemeanor crimes, subjecting you to possible county jail time and substantial fines. California Vehcile Code 12500 prohibits driving without a valid license.

Before you can be convicted of any of these charges, prosecutors must prove that you were driving with the knowledge that you weren’t permitted to do so. It is important to understand that this knowledge requirement is a key difference between Vehicle Code 14601 offenses and Vehicle Code 12500.

There are only two facts that a prosecutor must prove in order to convict you of a California Vehicle Code 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2 or 14601.5 violation:

   1. you drove while your California driver’s license was suspended or revoked, and
   2. you knew your California driver’s license was suspended or revoked at the time.

California Vehicle Code 12500 vc is a less serious offense than Vehicle Code 14601. It carries a shorter maximum jail sentence and less fines. In addition, it isn’t a "priorable" offense like 14601 vc.

California Vehicle Code 14601 (a) vc -- Privilege Suspended / Revoked for Specific Offenses

California Vehicle Code section 14601 (a) forbids you from driving a car, motorcycle, or other vehicle when you know that the DMV has suspended or revoked your California driver’s license due to
   1. reckless driving,
   2. alcohol and/or drug abuse,
   3. a mental and/or physical disability that prevents you from driving safely, or
   4. being declared a "negligent" or "incompetent" driver.

California Vehicle Code 14601.1 (a) vc -- Privilege Revoked / Suspended for General Offenses

Vehicle Code 14601.1 (a) vc serves as the "catch-all" for violations that relate to driving on a revoked or suspended CDL. This section makes it illegal for you to drive when you know that the DMV has suspended or revoked your license for any reason that wasn’t mentioned above under Vehicle Code 14601 or below under sections VC 14601.2 or VC 14601.5.

California Vehicle Code 14601.2 (a) vc -- Privilege Suspended /Revoked for DUI

California Vehicle Code section 14601.2 (a) punishes you for driving if you knew your license was revoked or suspended because of a DUI conviction. This is the most serious of the Vehicle Code 14601 violations.

It carries a minimum 10-day county jail sentence for a first offense and a minimum 30-day county jail sentence for a second.8 California law also requires the installation of a California ignition interlock device (commonly referred to as an "IID") for a 14601.2 (a) conviction.9 An IID is a mini-breathalyzer instrument that attaches to your car, preventing its operation unless and until you provide an alcohol-free breath sample.

Penalties, Punishment, and Sentencing for California Vehicle Code 14601 Offenses

Vehicle Code sections 14601, 14601.1, 14601.2, 14601.3, and 14601.5 VC...driving on a suspended license...are all priorable misdemeanor offenses. "Priorable" means that your penalty necessarily increases with each subsequent conviction within a five-to-seven year period, depending on the exact 14601 VC violation.

The punishment for any of these offenses may include probation, jail time, and/or substantial fines.

Your punishment or penalties in any given case depends on

   1. the reason your license was suspended,
   2. whether you suffered prior convictions for driving with a suspended license, and
   3. your driving history (which includes out-of-state convictions for driving-related offenses).

Generally, penalties are higher if the license was suspended or revoked because of

• a DUI conviction
• a California vehicular manslaughter conviction
• a finding that the driver is a habitual traffic offender

It should be noted that if you have the misfortune of being arrested for this offense while you have an outstanding California bench warrant or a California arrest warrant, you will receive harsher punishment.

If you know...or even suspect...that you may have an outstanding California arrest warrant or a pending California bench warrant, contact us immediately and we can help you get your bench warrant removed.