Driving While License Suspended
The state of Texas and the drivers who live there have a deep reliance on the road and highway system that has been put in place. This can be linked partly to the fact that most cities in the state have been developed with individual drivers in mind, along with the unfortunate reality of a substandard public transportation system and vast expanses of land that need to be crossed in order to get anywhere.
These factors have all helped make a Texas driver’s license essential in your ability to accomplish basic tasks and responsibilities. Considering a license is a disproportionately important aspect of your life in the lone star state, the possibility of losing your driving privileges has some very negative implications.
Driving with a suspended license may seem like a necessity at times when there is a severe lack of options for residents, but with the potential penalties involved if you are caught, it is difficult to justify taking that chance. Even so, many individuals, for many reasons, are forced to drive without state permission, putting them in a compromising legal situation.
As a result, a large number of Texas residents on a daily basis are pulled over and charged with driving while license suspended. This criminal offense comes with extensive legal sanctions and penalties, making the defense of this charge vital to your clearing your name. With the help of a qualified criminal defense attorney, you can argue your case in an effective and professional manner, and in doing so, find avenues with which to get the charges reduced or completely dismissed.
Houston Suspended License Attorney
There is a serious problem in Texas when it comes to both the rate of death and the cost of accidents and damage on the roadways. Both are well above the national average and are not showing any signs of abating. As the state continues to grow, this issue will not go away. As a measure to limit these alarming statistics, there are many ways that you can lose your ability to drive.
If you have had your license suspended, it could deter you from driving. However, for a large number of individuals who have lost their driving privileges, this is simply not an option. Although this may be the case, by driving without authorization, you are breaking the law and will be subject to the consequences. But even with tough potential ramifications, having a defense lawyer at your side could allow you to walk from this stressful situation unscathed.
Matt Horak is an experienced and aggressive Houston criminal defense attorney who has provided legal counsel to many individuals and families who have had to deal with a driving while license suspended charge. This prior casework, along with a proactive nature that enables him to search out relevant details in the case and provide options for his clients, has helped Matt solve complex legal problems in a timely and productive manner.
Focused on providing cost-effective representation, along with a strict adherence to offer the level of communication necessary to keep you informed and at ease, has made Matt Horak a valuable resource during difficult legal issues such as this. He is here to protect your right in court while searching for solutions, giving you the opportunity to focus on organizing your affairs and moving on with your life.
Matt offers his legal services to individuals and families throughout Houston, TX, including the cities of The Woodlands and Sugarland. This extends to the cities located in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Brazoria County, Galveston County, Waller County and Liberty County.
The firm offers consultations for its clients, so if you would like to discuss your suspended license charges with Matt Horak, please call (713) 225-8000 or send an online message today. A quick response time will ensure that Matt will be able to get started on your case right away.
Driving While License Suspended under Texas Law
The legal wording for the offense of driving while license suspended can be found in Section 521 of the Texas Transportation Code. According to §521.457, a person commits the offense of driving while license invalid (suspended) if they operate a motor vehicle on a highway:
- After the person’s driver’s license has been canceled;
- During a period that the person’s driver’s license or privilege is suspended or revoked under any law of this state;
- While the person’s driver’s license is expired if the license expired during a period of suspension; or
- After renewal of the person’s driver’s license has been denied under any law of this state.
It must be noted that the law goes on to state that it is not a defense to prosecution that the person did not receive actual notice of a suspension imposed as a result of another traffic offense conviction.
The charge of driving while license suspended is considered a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted of this charge, the presumptive sentence is up to 6 months (180 days) in jail and / or a maximum fine of between $100 and $500.
Horak Law | Harris County Suspended License Lawyer
Relying on the Texas highway and road system can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you are taking a risk by driving on one of the most dangerous and accident-prone transit systems in the nation. On the other hand, if you have your license suspended, you simply do not have options for alternate forms of transportation. This has led many to use public roads while on an invalid license.
Texas law enforcement is in a tough position because they both need to ensure the safety of drivers, while also rooting out unsafe ones. With such huge jurisdictions and minimum manpower, police officers tend to be extremely punitive with drivers they observe breaking the stated laws.
This means that a driving on a suspended license could bring swift and serious legal action against you. This is especially the case when it comes to individuals who are neglecting or dismissing sanctions that were placed on them previously, such as a notice of license suspension. Simply put, driving on a suspended license could bring swift and serious legal action against you.
Considering that this is the case, it is vital that you align yourself with a Houston defense attorney who has the legal knowledge and foresight necessary to guide you through this stressful and complicated process. Matt Horak can be counted on to provide aggressive representation that comprehensively handles every aspect of your case. He will gather evidence, interview relevant individuals and develop a case defense that helps you find a favorable resolution to this legal situation.
He is passionate about protecting his client’s constitutional rights and will make certain that a sometimes overzealous law enforcement community does not take advantage of you. This dedication to excellent customer service has allowed him to effectively represent many individuals in similar situations.
Matt proudly works with individuals charged with driving while license suspended in Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Angleton, Alvin, Brazoria, Alief, Barker, Baytown, Katy, Pearland, Humble, Liberty and Conroe, among many others.
Call (713) 225-8000 or send an online message to set a time for a consultation, so you can discuss your case in detail with Matt Horak.
