What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia
My question involves a driver's license issued by the States of: Virginia / Maine
Long story short, I got my driver's license in Virginia last year, and the previous state I had my license in was Maine.
Some point after I got my Virginia license, a ticket I got in Maine back in 2005 ended up hitting my record (some kind of glitch), and having not paid it (oversight on my part, not malicious), my license was suspended, and they notified Virginia of this fact, and Virginia suspended my license.
So naturally, even though I take metro to work and basically never drove anyway... I got nabbed for driving without a license (taking my son to daycare) - was pulled over because my tags were like a week overdue. Needless to say it wasn't a good day. Yes, I'm aware it was stupid to drive on the suspended license, no lecture required.
Anyway I'm going to court Wednesday and I do have a concern. First, I found out that Virginia laws in these cases are kinda draconian, so I guess I'm looking at some hefty fines and potential jail time?!?! Good lord.
Anyway, the reason I'm so worried is that I do in fact have a previous conviction in Maine for driving without a license.
My question is this - I know that the penalties for driving without a license change when it has happened more than once. Whatever the penalty is for a first offense, its more for a second, and even more for a third.
So - can anyone here tell me this? Will this be considered my first offense, because this is the first offense in the state of Virginia? Or will this be considered a multiple offense, because I had another conviction for the same thing in another state? How does the law work in such a case?
Appreciate any insight into the matter.
My question involves a driver's license issued by the States of: Virginia / Maine
Long story short, I got my driver's license in Virginia last year, and the previous state I had my license in was Maine.
Some point after I got my Virginia license, a ticket I got in Maine back in 2005 ended up hitting my record (some kind of glitch), and having not paid it (oversight on my part, not malicious), my license was suspended, and they notified Virginia of this fact, and Virginia suspended my license.
So naturally, even though I take metro to work and basically never drove anyway... I got nabbed for driving without a license (taking my son to daycare) - was pulled over because my tags were like a week overdue. Needless to say it wasn't a good day. Yes, I'm aware it was stupid to drive on the suspended license, no lecture required.
Anyway I'm going to court Wednesday and I do have a concern. First, I found out that Virginia laws in these cases are kinda draconian, so I guess I'm looking at some hefty fines and potential jail time?!?! Good lord.
Anyway, the reason I'm so worried is that I do in fact have a previous conviction in Maine for driving without a license.
My question is this - I know that the penalties for driving without a license change when it has happened more than once. Whatever the penalty is for a first offense, its more for a second, and even more for a third.
So - can anyone here tell me this? Will this be considered my first offense, because this is the first offense in the state of Virginia? Or will this be considered a multiple offense, because I had another conviction for the same thing in another state? How does the law work in such a case?
Appreciate any insight into the matter.
