The Crime

Driving “while privilege cancelled, suspended or revoked,” more commonly referred to as Driving on a Suspended License or Revoked License, is an offense that can seriously damage your record and your reputation. The severity of the offense depends on the circumstances of the case. For example, the offense has a mandatory prison sentence and elevated fines if the license was originally cancelled, suspended, or revoked because of a conviction for Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide, or DUI. If you have been charged with Driving on a Suspended License, you should seek help from the Knoxville criminal defense attorneys at the Oberman & Rice Law Firm.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-50-504]

The Penalties

A first offense Driving on a Suspended License conviction is a Class B Misdemeanor and may result in some or all of the following consequences:

1. A sentence of up to 6 months in prison;
2. A probationary period;
3. A fine of up to $500;
4. Court costs.

If the license was cancelled, suspended, or revoked because of a conviction for Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide, or DUI, a conviction for Driving on a Suspended License may result in a mandatory sentence of at least 2 days in prison (and up to 6 months) and a fine of up to $1,000.

For a second or subsequent conviction of Driving on a Suspended License, the crime is a Class A Misdemeanor and may result in some or all of the following consequences:

1. A sentence of up to 11 months, 29 days in prison;
2. A probationary period;
3. A fine of up to $2,500;
4. Court costs.

If the license was cancelled, suspended or revoked because of a second conviction for Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide, or DUI, a conviction for Driving on a Suspended License may result in a mandatory sentence of at least 45 days in prison (and up to 1 year) and a fine of up to $3000.

[Source: Tennessee Code Annotated § 55-50-504]

Why Hire An Attorney Immediately?

It is important to act quickly in order to gather and preserve favorable evidence. Certain witnesses need to be interviewed as soon as possible. Key evidence (faces, dates, events, and conversations) fades from memory over time. Also, video recordings and other evidence may be destroyed. Therefore, it is critical to begin an investigation as soon as possible to ensure valuable evidence is not lost. Success or failure in any criminal case may be determined in the decisions of the defendant and his or her Tennessee Criminal Defense Attorney in only a few hours or days after an arrest.

Contact Us Today

If you or someone you know has recently been arrested, contact the Oberman & Rice Law Firm today so that we can begin preparing a defense for your case. Submit your information for a free case evaluation from our Knoxville criminal defense attorneys or call our office at 865-249-7200.