Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

suspended license and stupidity

i was stopped at a check point. my license was suspended due to failure to pay a ticket. i paniced. the officer asked if i had my license with me and i said no so he said well give me your name and i can look it up. i gave false name thinking no harm i could just go home. i only drove cause my girlfriend was sick she has seizures and was feeling bad. turns out the person name i gave had a warrant out for him. i did tell the truth obviously at that point. the officers were nice and gave me the tickets and let my girlfrriend drive and sent me home. The charge does not match code on ticket for lying so i wonder if this would justify it being thrown out. first offense on driving with suspended license i have no prior violations or convictions of any type. i did not have the money to pay the fine and mv fee before. To get my license back will be 500 i am scared and worried i dont have much money so i think it will help to show my license getting back but i also worry that i need the money for any fines and have no idea what i could expect or how long i have to pay them or if i have to pay before leave court. i just paniced and did the stupidest thing about lying i take meds for panic but was out. new doctor have to wait to see him.


Asked on 3/20/09, 4:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: suspended license and stupidity

Aside from the fines and costs associated with a conviction for DWS(Driving While Susupended and who knows what else under these facts alleged), where are the funds to come from to pay the lawyer you should have to represent you on this criminal and jailable offense? If you do not have such funds to pay for a defense counsel, then you should ask the court to appoint one to represent you in this matter.

And, yes, it would likely be advantageous to your case to have your license reinstated by the time that you return to court for your dispositional hearing, and, no, the fact that "the charge on the ticket does not match code on ticket for lying" would not be a viable basis for having the Commonwealth's case against you dismissed.

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Answered on 3/21/09, 1:06 pm


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