do you need a lawyer when the dmv is trying to take your license away

by Judd Mayer 7 min read

The primary purpose of your DMV hearing is to determine whether or not the DMV will take any action against your license, including awarding any points or issuing any suspensions. While you are not required to have an attorney for this process, there are several beneficial reasons why you should. Contact us to get started on your free case review.

Full Answer

What happens to your license if you get arrested for DUI?

Apr 27, 2017 · The primary purpose of your DMV hearing is to determine whether or not the DMV will take any action against your license, including awarding any points or issuing any suspensions. While you are not required to have an attorney for this process, there are several …

Do I need an attorney at my DMV hearing for DUI?

Your driver’s license is too important not to fight for. While you do not need a lawyer for a DMV hearing, one is waiting for you at our firm. Time is of the essence due to the limited time for requesting your hearing. Take the first step now toward requesting the return of your license by …

How do I get my license back after suspension?

In any matter before the DMV, you have a right to have a DMV attorney represent you. While there is no requirement that you have legal representation, you need to keep in mind that the DMV is contacting you to change the status of your driving license. You have a driver’s license and the …

Can my license be suspended for any reason?

Apr 07, 2014 · You need an attorney at your DMV hearing to protect your legal rights. If you are arrested for DUI in the state of California, you must call the DMV within 10 days of your arrest …

How do you get around a revoked license?

A revoked license is invalid forever - but it is sometimes possible for a person with a revoked license to earn a new one.
...
This can be done by taking specific steps, such as:
  1. Requesting a hearing at the State DMV.
  2. Paying overdue fines and penalties.
  3. Reapplying for a completely new license.

How do I get my revoked license back in California?

A person cannot get a revoked driver's license reinstated or restored in California. Rather, the driver must apply for a new license. This can only be done once the period of revocation is over. Application means the motorist will have to retake driving tests and pay applicable fees.

Can California suspend your driver's license?

Under certain conditions, the California Department of Motor Vehicles can suspend or revoke your driver's license. This means either the DMV or the court has decided that you are NOT allowed to operate a motor vehicle until the suspension or revocation is lifted and your license is reinstated.

What is a DMV hearing DUI California?

A DMV DUI hearing is an administrative hearing held at a DMV office (not a criminal court). The sole issue in this hearing is whether or not your driver's license will be suspended as a result of your having been arrested for DUI.

How much does it cost to reinstate a suspended license in California?

Occupational Licensing Application Fees
ApplicationFee
CorrectionNo fee
– Original – Reinstatement$51
Renewal$16
Address changeNo fee
16 more rows

How long does a suspended license stay on your record in California?

Two-point traffic ticket violations such as a DUI - VC 23152(a) or (b) or a VC 14601.2, VC 14601.4 or VC 14601.5 driving on a suspended license conviction will remain on your DMV record for 13 years - after 13 years you can make a request to the DMV to purge (remove) this violation from your record .

In which situation CA can suspend the Licence?

The CCA shall suspend a Licence if the CCA has reasons to believe that the CA has o made a statement in, or in relation to, the application for the issue or renewal of the licence, which is incorrect or false in material particulars; o failed to comply with the terms and conditions subject to which the licence was ...Mar 20, 2017

What happens if you get caught driving with a suspended license in California?

Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a misdemeanor under California law. A first conviction under VC 14601 can result in the following punishment: Imprisonment in a county jail for between five days and six months; and. A fine between three hundred dollars ($300) and one thousand dollars ($1,000).

How do you check if your license is suspended in California?

How Do You Find Out If Your License Has Been Suspended in California?
  1. Online at www.dmv.ca.gov ($2 fee).
  2. By mail by completing a Request For Your Own Driver License Identification Card Or Vehicle/Vessel Registration Information Record (INF 1125) form. ($5 fee).
  3. In person at your local DMV office ($5 fee).

How do you win a DUI hearing in California?

To win a DMV DUI Hearing you usually must have one of the following examples:
  1. The police did not follow proper procedure with the breath or blood tests.
  2. You present convincing evidence the officer had no right to pull you over.
  3. You present proof that you were under .

How do I get my license back after a DUI in California?

To fully reinstate your driving privilege with no restrictions, you must serve your full suspension or restriction, provide the DMV with proof of completion of a DUI program and provide proof of insurance (SR 22). You will be required to maintain the SR 22 for 3 years.

How long does a DUI stay on your record in California?

10 years
Fortunately, a DUI charge does not stay on your driving record forever. Generally speaking, it remains on your driving record for up to 10 years and is viewable by the DMV and law enforcement during that time. The other good news is that a DUI conviction on your driving record does NOT show on most background checks.

How old do you have to be to get a California driver's license revoked?

In the state of California, there is no maximum age for a person to reach before a license is revoked. However, the DMV requires people over the age of 70 to renew their license in person. The DMV may decide to revoke a license if they determine a driver has lost skill due to a loss in physical and/or mental driving capabilities. Before a license can be revoked, elderly drivers are entitled to a hearing. It is important to have an experienced attorney with you to help you prove that you are capable of following traffic laws and can drive in a safe manner.

What happens if you have too many points on your license?

If you have too many points on your driving record, the DMV will hold a “negligent operator” hearing and may decide to suspend, revoke or restrict your license. Points on your driving record can come from traffic tickets or accidents, a DUI conviction or other violations of California’s Vehicle Code. Before your DMV hearing, a Wallin & Klarich attorney can review the circumstances involved in your license points and defend your driving record at a negligent operator hearing.

What happens if you get arrested for reckless driving?

In other words, if you get arrested for a DUI or reckless driving in some states, the DMV automatically takes away your license. You can request an administrative hearing to argue for why that shouldn't happen, but the license is still initially suspended through automatic operation of the law.

What to do after a DUI?

For example, after you get a DUI, you may need to do community service, go to drug/alcohol counseling, get a special type of car insurance, and have your license suspended for a set period. At the end of the period, you can petition for reinstatement of your license and prove that you did all the other things required of you.

Can you get your license back if you have a suspended license?

For example, if your license was suspended as a result of you not paying your traffic tickets, you can pay those tickets and then request reinstatement. By proving you paid the traffic tickets and by paying all required reinstatement fees, you can get your license back.

Can you get your license back after a DUI?

For example, after you get a DUI, you may need to do community service , go to drug/alcohol counseling , get a special type of car insurance , and have your license suspended for a set period. At the end of the period, you can petition for reinstatement of your license and prove that you did all the other things required of you. You'll also need to pay reinstatement fees when you get your license back in this case.

Can a suspended license be reinstated?

Depending on the reason for your license suspension and the traffic ticket laws where you live, an attorney may be able to help you get your license reinstated. An attorney cannot make the problem go away, though; if you have a suspended license, there is a reason, and you must address that reason. A lawyer can help you to explore all your options for dealing with it and can assist you in coming up with a plan to have the best chance for reinstatement.

What happens if you get a driver's license fraud in California?

Before that happens, the person is entitled to a hearing where he and his attorney may seek to get his right to a drivers license restored.

How long does a DMV have to issue proof of insurance?

Moreover, if you suffer a DUI conviction, the DMV will require you to submit an SR22 (proof of insurance) for three years. If you lose coverage, your insurance company will notify the DMV and this triggers a driver’s license revocation.

What is a DMV hearing?

Before suspending or revoking your license, the DMV must conduct a hearing called a DMV reexamination hearing or “lack of skill” inquiry. Our California DMV hearing lawyers have significant experience defending clients at these proceedings, and have enjoyed success at stopping driver license revocations.

What happens if you get arrested for DUI?

If you get arrested for DUI , DUI of Drugs or Vehicular Manslaughter, the DMV will seek to suspend your driver’s license – even if the criminal case was just for a misdemeanor. Out of state drivers with a California DUI charge may lose their license to drive in their home state.

How long does a driver's license suspension last in California?

The DMV will likely suspend your driver’s license for up to four years if you’re involved in a traffic accident and don’t have car insurance. Moreover, if you suffer a DUI conviction, the DMV will require you to submit an SR22 (proof of insurance) for three years. If you lose coverage, your insurance company will notify the DMV and this triggers a driver’s license revocation. Even here, our California DMV attorneys often can help you find affordable car insurance, clear the holds on your driver’s license, and get you back on the road.

How long does a DUI suspension last?

The Department calls these hearings “ Admin Per Se ” or APS. If the driver got arrested for underage DUI or a chemical test refusal, the license suspension would last for at least one year.

What is the DMV's point system?

The DMV imposes points for a variety of Vehicle Code violations, including accidents, traffic tickets (moving violations), and DUI and other criminal driving offenses. The DMV can also suspend a person’s drivers license for causing an accident.

What to do if you have a suspended driver's license?

Failing to pay child support. If you have a suspended driver’s license, your state will likely require you to: Refrain from driving for a period of time. Enroll in a defensive driving course or traffic school. Get an SR22 from your insurance company. Pay a reinstatement fee.

Why is my license suspended?

You can get a suspended license for reasons including: Accumulating too many driving record points. Getting multiple traffic violations or speeding tickets.

What does an attorney do?

Attorneys specialize in particular areas of the law— meaning they are well-versed in legal language and can use that knowledge and experience to identify flaws in the case brought against you (or at least lessen your penalties ).

What is a traffic ticket lawyer?

In particular, a traffic ticket attorney specializes in laws related to driving; such lawyers defend traffic court cases varying from routine moving violations (such as running a traffic light) to more serious situations (such as driving under the influence ). Regardless of the violation circumstances, a seasoned lawyer works to reduce your traffic ...

What can a seasoned lawyer do to reduce traffic ticket penalties?

Regardless of the violation circumstances, a seasoned lawyer works to reduce your traffic ticket penalties, negotiate alternative penalties, and/or dismiss the ticket altogether.

What is a public defender?

Public defenders, or court-appointed attorneys, are lawyers who help people who can't afford private legal defense.

Can a traffic ticket lawyer help with a speeding ticket?

From a speeding violation to forgetting to use your turn signal, even the most routine traffic stop can add up quickly; thus, sometimes, hiring a traffic ticket lawyer can make a difference—especially regarding reduced fines, keeping points off your driver's license, and avoiding increased insurance rates .

Does traffic school help with a ticket?

Not only can traffic school help you get a ticket dismissed, but it can also remove driver's license points (or prevent points from accumulating, depending on your state's laws) and even lower your car insurance rates .

Can you get points dismissed for driving violations?

Typically, in this situation, even if your attorney is able to get your points dismissed, the record of your violation will still remain on your driving history.

Why is the DMV not releasing an accurate count of drivers license suspensions?

When asked exactly how many drivers got their licenses suspended that year without being convicted of DUI-related crimes, DMV officials said an accurate count was not available because they had not done the required data analysis.

When will the DMV set aside an action as a result of a court decision?

According to the DMV, “The only instance in which the department will set aside an action as a result of a court decision are in those cases where a driver has (gone to trial and) been acquitted.”

How many DUI arrests were revoked in 2012?

A review of DMV data from 2012, the most recent year available, found that DMV employees suspended or revoked the licenses of at least 135 DUI arrestees who were never charged with the crime or who had their criminal cases dismissed for lack of evidence.

What is a hearing officer in the DMV?

A DMV employee known as a hearing officer reviews police reports and decides whether to impose or discard the temporary suspension, according to the DMV. If the driver requests a hearing, the DMV employee reviews the police report, gathers testimony from the driver and may consider other evidence before ruling.

Did the Orange County judge throw out Ha's DUI?

An Orange County judge threw out Ha’s DUI case, ruling officers had illegally obtained a test showing Ha’s blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit. Yet a month later, a midlevel DMV employee suspended the Westminster resident’s license based on the same evidence the courts rejected.

Who is Ha's attorney?

Alex L. Benedict, Ha’s attorney, said he was shocked by the hearing officer’s decision. “In our world, if the case is dismissed with prejudice and it doesn’t have to go to trial, for all practical purposes that is an acquittal because the evidence is so overwhelming that there is no need for a trial,” Benedict said.

Can the DMV take your license away?

Little-known law gives DMV power to take away your license. Scores of California drivers arrested each year on suspicion of DUI are never convicted in criminal court, but they find their licenses suspended or revoked by the DMV anyway through an administrative process that is being challenged by a group. Thuan Ha was arrested on drunken-driving ...

What is a DMV letter?

The DMV letter contains general information about the driver’s offense, the type of sanction that was issued and how to resolve it.

What happens if you get suspended for driving?

Drivers who continue driving with a suspended or revoked drivers licenses face even stricter penalties. Certain types of suspensions remain in effect until the driver removes the restrictions on his or her credential.

How many points do you need to get your license suspended?

On the other hand, in Florida, earning 12 points on your license within a year will get your license suspended for 30 days.

Can a license be suspended for a traffic ticket?

For instance, licensees who are required to pay a traffic ticket may remain indefinitely suspended until they do so. Similarly, all drivers must pay to have their license reinstated in order to lift a suspension.

Can you drive with a suspended license?

Drivers must complete the process of reinstating their drivers licenses prior to operating their vehicle again, since driving with a suspended license is punishable by law across all U.S. states. State Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) issue drivers license suspensions for a wide array of reasons, such as lapse in the driver’s car insurance ...

Can you get your license back after suspension?

Motor vehicle operators with suspended drivers licenses can generally reinstate their credentials after satisfying the requirements of the suspension, such as completing a specific penalty period and paying a fine. To reinstate revoked drivers licenses, motorists will be required to wait out their period of revocation and reapply for a new credential afterward.