The National Trial Lawyers - Top 40 under 40
NACDA - Top 10 Ranking 2014
BBB Accredited Business
Top Attorney Criminal Defense
Criminal Defense
American Jurist Institute - Seal of Excellence
American Jurist Institute - Top 10 Attorneys

New Jersey Driver’s License Suspension for Criminal and Traffic Charges

Charged with an Offense in New Jersey, Can they Suspend my License?

Avoid suspending my license Sparta NJ lawyer helpUnfortunately, being accused of a crime can carry significant consequences beyond jail time or fines. If you’re convicted of certain crimes, you could be facing the loss of your driver’s license. If you depend on your car and active driver’s license to get to work or run errands, the loss of your license due to criminal allegations can hamper your ability to get done what you need to. In addition to having your license suspended, being pulled over by an officer for driving while you have a suspended license could carry additional penalties, adding to the complexity of responding to these kinds of problems.

Make sure that you do as much as possible to protect your rights to continue driving if you have already been accused of a crime in Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Sparta, Newton, Phillipsburg, Frankford, North Warren, or a neighboring community in Sussex County or Warren County. A skilled NJ criminal defense lawyer at our firm can help you with this process and give you further information about how best to proceed. In this article, you’ll learn more about some of the common circumstances that allow the state to take your driver’s license and what options you have if this applies to your case. To discuss your specific criminal charges for drug possession, underage alcohol possession, DUI, fake ID, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, or another disorderly persons offense or indictable crime in New Jersey, call 973-755-1695 today. Consultations are provided at no cost to you and an attorney is available immediately to assist you.

Common Cases that Lead to Driver’s License Suspensions in New Jersey

One of the most common reasons for your license to be suspended are violations of existing motor vehicle laws and regulations. In general, there are criminal and DWI charges in Superior and Municipal courts in New Jersey that enable the state to suspend your driver’s license. Convictions for driving while suspended, leaving the scene of an accident, driving without insurance, reckless driving, careless driving with an accident, high rate of speeding, using a cell phone while driving, drug-related offenses, and underage drinking/possession of alcohol can all lead to loss of a driver’s license.

The other convictions that can lead to loss of driving privileges include refusing to take a breathalyzer test, traffic offenses, DUI, and accumulation of traffic violations or points. For DUI convictions, the length of the suspension will be influenced by the offense at hand. For a first offense DWI with blood alcohol content of .08 to .10, this suspension includes the loss of a driver’s license until an ignition interlock is installed. For a first offense DUI where the blood alcohol content is .10 or higher, the license is also forfeited until the ignition interlock is installed. The ignition interlock requirement on a case like that runs from 7 months to one year.

Is Suspending my License Mandatory if Convicted in NJ?

Some crimes come with an automatic or mandatory loss of driving eligibility, whereas others are at the discretion of the judge. In some cases, a drug offense conviction comes with a mandatory license suspension. For underage crimes, a license suspension can also apply. For persons over 18 but under 21 with alcohol in a vehicle, for example, an immediate suspension of six months applies upon conviction. It is important to note that New Jersey recently updated the laws such that people accused of minor offenses, certain drug crimes, or failing to pay fines, no longer face an immediate suspension of a driver’s license. The governor shared in relaying this news at the end of 2019, saying that many driver’s license suspensions for non-moving violations were unnecessarily punitive. Some of the specific situations that no longer lead to mandatory license suspension include criminal mischief charges for graffiti, some criminal misdemeanors (disorderly persons offenses) involving alcohol, possession of a fake ID, and failing to pay parking fines or failure to pay child support.

Who can Suspend my License in NJ?

Either a judge or the MVC hold the authority to suspend someone’s license. A written notice will be sent to you from the MVC explaining why your license is being suspended and the specific details surround this, as well as any details about how you can fight or avoid this suspension. Similarly, your license can be suspended due to too many unpaid parking tickets. Even though these are not always associated with certain offenses, they are common ways to have your license suspended. It is a myth that your license can only be suspended by a judge or the state due to conviction for a crime. In addition, if you are accused of committing an offense and have a scheduled court date or if you were supposed to appear in court for any reason, failing to show up on the day of that hearing or trial can lead to the issuance of an arrest warrant. A driver’s license suspension tied to failure to appear can be lifted once you do appear in court.

Want to Avoid Driver’s License Suspension? Talk to an NJ Criminal Defense Lawyer Near You

Getting help with your criminal or traffic charges is key to understanding all the potential impacts, including discretionary or mandatory driver’s license suspensions. There may be defenses available to avoid losing your driver’s license in Washington Borough, Franklin, Pohatcong, Belvidere, and other towns in New Jersey. Don’t wait; call our office at 973-755-1695 today to get the help you need.

Practice areas

  • Excellent Lawyer... Helped me in every step off my Case..

  • Great work

  • Best lawyer!!

  • FRO removal success!!

  • Easy to work with, straightforward

  • Kept my license

  • Father of client

  • Excellent Attorney , Charges Dismissed as promised

  • Helped every step of the way

  • Avoid mandatory jail time on shoplifting charges

  • GREAT – HONEST- ATTORNEY -AND – VERY GOOD

  • Help

  • Did the job he was hired to do

  • Great lawyer

  • Simple assault charge was dropped

  • Top Notch Representation

  • Well worth it.

  • DUI Case Dismissed

  • 2 felony charges dismissed

  • Cameron bury

  • great attorney

  • Hands Down Professional and delivers results!!!

  • DUI case dismissed

  • 125 stars out of 10!!

  • Excellent at getting best outcome

  • Excellent Attorney

  • TRO Dismissal

  • Efficient Excellent attorney.

  • Excellent attorney

  • Travis successfully defended me in an unprecedented Final Restraining Order Trial with ease

  • Kick Ass Attorney!

  • Efficient and professional attorney

  • Great Lawyer And Great Results

  • Top Notch DUI Attorney

  • Client Domestic Violence

  • Restraining Order

  • A real pro in a time of need - DWI Dismissed.

  • The most experienced, patient and affordable attorney

  • Travis Tormey successfully had a False TRO against me dismissed.

  • Underaged Drinking

  • Underaged Drinking

  • DUI Dismissed

  • Saved me from a DUI. HIGHLY recommended

  • Restraining Order

  • Case dismissed with Data Driven Facts

  • Respectful. Attentive. Professional.

  • Trespassing and Under the Influence Disorderly Persons charges

  • If you are reading this- You have reached the right place! Undoubtedly, the BEST Law Firm in New Jersey!

  • Amazing attorney with a heart of gold

  • Exceeded my expectations, Highly Professional Attorney

  • Responsive and knowledgeable.

  • The Tormey law firm was very kind and professional

  • Expungement

  • Travis Tormey is a True Professional Who Kept Me Out of Jail

  • Saved me a whole ton of problems

  • Travis Tormey Review

  • A nightmare case, with a happy ending.

  • Elite NJ Marijuana Attorney! 5 Stars!!

  • An Excellent lawyer!

  • Great lawyer for DUI

  • I highly endorse Travis Tormey.

  • Travis Tormey Law Firm

  • Travis is a Lifesaver

  • Travis J. Tormey - Evaluation

  • Great Lawyer. Got me off exactly what I wanted

  • Consummate Professional!

  • Great Criminal Defense Lawyer

  • Good Service

  • Exceptional Lawyer

  • Exceptional Lawyer

  • Hired to defend me for aggravated assault

  • Hired to defend me in a restraning order

  • Excellent attorney, highly recommend his talents

  • DWI Counsel

  • I highly recommend Mr. Tormey

  • Great attorney

  • Travis Tormey, Esq. - Great Results!

  • Travis Tormey - Excellent Attorney-Kind and Trustworthy

  • Excellent Attorney-Trustworthy and Kind

  • An Outstanding lawyer!!! That will represent you in the correct way!

  • Excellent Attorney! You will not be dissapointed....

  • Travis Tormey Gets Results!

  • tormey

  • Success!!

  • Travis Tormey Review

  • Only Lawyer I Recommend

  • Very Grateful

  • Attorney review of Travis Tormey

  • Excellent

Request a Free Consultation

Call Us Today!

973.755.1695

Who we are

Our attorneys serve clients in Allamuchy, Andover, Belvidere, Frankford Township, Greenwich, Franklin Borough, Hackettstown, Hopatcong, Lopatcong Township, Newton, Mansfield Township, Sparta, North Warren, Vernon, Phillipsburg, Wantage, Pohatcong Township, Stillwater, Washington Borough, and throughout Sussex County and Warren County, New Jersey.

Disclaimer

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.