Hit and Run Can Lead to Loss of License
Posted on October 3, 2008
Filed Under Criminal Law, DUI, Hit & Run, Law, negligent operator |
Hit and run (see yesterday’s post) is a good way to get tagged as a “negligent operator” by the California DMV. Traffic convictions can cause violation points to be counted against your driver’s license. Every time you accumulate a violation point on your driving record, you get one step closer to having your driving privileges restricted or suspended. It doesn’t take much. Just two points get you a nasty warning letter from the DMV. Three points and you get the even more severe “Notice of Intent to Suspend” letter. Accumulate 4 points within a year and they brand you a “negligent operator” and smack you with probation. Then it’s “good-bye” license. Violate probation and you’ll be bumming rides and waiting at bus stops for the rest of your life. You don’t want to mess with the DMV!
Reckless driving, auto accidents, traffic convictions, hit and run and driving drunk (DUI) can result in points being assessed against your driver’s license. But it doesn’t take a major accident or particularly serious offense to earn a violation point. A point can be assessed for disobeying a traffic officer, driving with an unsafe load, ignoring a school crossing guard, driving in the bike land, running a yellow light, following too closely, making a U-turn, speeding, driving too slowly and a host of other infractions.
Don’t think you’re safe if you get into an accident out of state. Most states share ticket/conviction information, and California assesses points for violations in other states. Under certain circumstances, the DMV can assess more than one point for a violation, and all violations received while driving a commercial vehicle carry 1 1/2 times the average point assessment. Minor drivers under the age of 18 also face stricter penalties. If you’re under 18, 2 points in 12 months earns you a 30-day driving restriction and just 3 points in 12 months suspends your license.
If you get slapped with a negligent operator notice, don’t risk losing your license, consult an experienced DMV criminal defense felony attorney immediately. If you don’t understand the DMV’s hearing process or fail to obtain adequate representation, you could lose your driving privileges. A good defense could save your driver’s license.
-LegalPro
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