Driving with suspended license DUI vc 12500 (a) Misdemeanor

[ant0n33x]

I live in California. I had been previously been convicted of a DUI and had my license suspended. I had gotten pulled over for having the tags on my car expired. The officer noted that I had previously gotten my license suspended but listed the code as VC 12500 (a) Misdemeanor. I have read that this is the wrong code. I have been doing research on this but I wish to know more on what this could mean.

Any information about this issue would be of serious help to me. Punishments, fines, usual procedures, etc.

Thanks to anyone that can help.

[FlyingRon]

I'd have charged you with 14601 which is driving under suspension. 12500 is a much less serious charge (driving without a license or with an expired one). You're guilty of both, and if you really want the one with higher fines and jail time, I'm sure the state will be glad to accomodate you.

[ant0n33x]

Originally Posted by FlyingRon

I'd have charged you with 14601 which is driving under suspension. 12500 is a much less serious charge (driving without a license or with an expired one).

I do understand I should have received the code VC 14601. I'm sure the officer knew what he was doing and had given me a break

Originally Posted by FlyingRon

You're guilty of both, and if you really want the one with higher fines and jail time, I'm sure the state will be glad to accomodate you.

Is that really necessary? I am thankful the officer gave me the lesser charge. I just wanted to know how this would affect me.

[FlyingRon]

If you have a kind judge and you've taken steps to resolve whatever it was that got you suspended the first time, I suspect you'd get off with a modest fine.
Sorry, the snarky line was that I suspected you thought you'd duck the charge because of a perceived mistake on the officer's part (which in fact was leniency, intentional or not).