CALIFORNIA: Cited for misdemeanor driving without a license...more details

[dmickey]

My license was revoked in by Washington State DMV for a DUI 8 years ago. All of my court stuff is closed but DMV wants their pound of flesh. Got pulled over in California for talking on a cell phone. I then quickly met all of the requirements for Washington DMV and got my California drivers license in less than 3 weeks. My court date isn't for another 5 weeks. ***I have been driving in California for years and was dumb enough to tell the cop that.

Question: Should I get a lawyer?

1) I've heard that if I show up to court with a drivers license that it will likely get dismissed. Is this true?
2) I have a clean driving record other than the old DUI and recent cell phone charge.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[CdwJava]

VC 12500(a) is typically filed as an infraction and even if the officer did not mark the offense as correctable, the court can make it so. As a correctable offense, it would cost you $25. While there is no guarantee the court will allow that if it was not so marked, the courts tend to permit it.