Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

driver's licnese suspension

During my hearing for a drug possession charge, I agreed to probation. The judge at the hearing never mentioned that part of this would result in a suspension of my license. The way I found out was due to getting my notice from the DOT. Due to this error my time has lapse for an appeal concerning my hearing and the only choice I have now is an appeal with DOT. Was it the responsiblity of the Judge to tell me this??


Asked on 2/15/07, 3:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles A. Pascal, Jr. Law Office of Charles A. Pascal, Jr.

Re: driver's licnese suspension

The judge has NO responsibility to tell you about the license suspension. The Courts have ruled that this is a "collateral consequence," and is thus not directly related to the criminal sentence (i.e., probation).

If you had a lawyer, the lawyer probably should have mentioned it to you, but I don't really think there's a concrete obligation to do that either.

You will have zero chance in an appeal to DOT.

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Answered on 2/17/07, 1:11 pm


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