Q: So I got 3 tickets 2 days ago for 1 unlicensed driver 2 for a expired city sticker which I was going to get renewed soon
Away 3 turning on a no left turn but I didn't see the sign till the last minute cause a truck was park in front of the sign I have no records I only been driving for a week 2days by myself I was learning how to drive I finally got over my fear to driving and I'm 26 it was my girlfriends car she had to week on the west side I had to work on the east she had my buscard and u had her car to save gas to driving all the way to the west side every day but my job down the street I had no money to get on the bus I only had the car but anyway the cop told me I got a court day on aug 5th he said get my license before the that date but her mother taking back the car to the dealer ship his week and I don't have no car access to go to it plus I work six days outta the week my off day is Sunday and I take care of my sick mother too so I don't have any free time so my question is what will happen if I don't have my license by then will I go to jail?
A:
Hello Asker,
That is a very good question. Currently, the unlicensed ticket, depending on how it is written, is able to be prosecuted as a class B misdemeanor. A class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine up to $1,500. For this reason, your appearance is required and the aid of an attorney is at the very least advisable. Additionally, since you have never been licensed, a conviction for driving without a valid license carries the penalty of a driving privilege suspension. If you have never had a suspension, this would be a 2 month suspension if a conviction resulted with an additional two months for every prior suspension.
At a bare minimum, you should take time to call a traffic attorney to ensure this ticket does not negatively impact your driving privileges. If you are unable to locate a traffic attorney by your first court date, you can request that the judge give you time to seek out an attorney and they will very likely give you at least 30 days to do so and as much as 60 days.
Hope that helps!
Sincerely,
Jason A. Wilkins
Attorney at Law
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