     EXCELLENT

Driving on a Suspended License: Is Lack of Notice of a Suspension a Defense?

One cannot be convicted of Driving on a Suspended License or Driving Without a Valid license if he didn’t know his license was suspended. The controlling cases are Bibb v. Commonwealth, 212 Va. 249, 249-50 (1971) (for Driving on Suspended cases) and Carew v. Commonwealth, 62 Va. App. 574 (2013) (for No Valid Operator’s License cases).

The rationale is that Virginia’s Driving on Suspended law makes a reference to notice of one’s suspension. Virginia Code § 46.2-301(B) states in pertinent part: “A clerk’s notice of suspension of license for failure to pay fines or costs given in accordance with § 46.2-395 shall be sufficient notice for the purpose of maintaining a conviction under this section.” The Supreme Court extrapolated this language to create a notice element.

When one is charged with either of these crimes, the first line of defense is seeing whether the prosecutor can prove that the defendant had been notified of the suspension. This can be challenging. Certainly, proof that the defendant had actual notice does the trick. It is common for police officers, upon learning that one’s license had been suspended, to ask the motorist if he knew his license had been suspended. When the motorist concedes knowledge this admission is all that the prosecutor needs for that element. However, when such a confession is not in the fact pattern, the prosecutor has to rely upon DMV records, which are often inconclusive as to whether the motorist was ever really notified of the suspension.

It is important to note that, for No Valid Operator’s license charges, the notice requirement is necessary only if the license was invalid due to a suspension. If the license was invalid for some other reason, the notice element may not exist.

Client Reviews

    
 
 
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   Anonymous 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was facing a charge of Reckless Driving for speeding on I66 at midnight. This is considered a Class 1 Misdemeanor in the state of Virginia. Having something like Reckless Driving on your record is on par with having a DUI. This charge also carries a chance for jail time (up to a year). I was incredibly scared because I had never faced such a charge. And looking into Virginia Law, my speed exceeded 90mph, which is quite serious. I retained Dave Albo to help me with this case. Since my record was clean, Dave had advised I do the following before my trial. * Take a DMV Driver's Improvement Course * Take a Behavior Modification Course * Do 100 hours of community service * Print my DMV Record one week before the trial On the day of my trial, Dave got my Reckless Driving charge REDUCED to a regular Speeding charge. This was the absolute best case scenario for me. No criminal record. No jail time. No suspension of license. I did receive 6 demerit points and had to pay a fine of $250 (plus court fees). But that's a slap on the wrist, compared to what I could have been facing. Thank you Dave Albo for helping me through this ordeal!
  
 
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   Tom 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dave albo it's a fantastic lawyer. He has helped me twice now with great results both times with minor traffic tickets. I would recommend him to anybody including my family. He has great ethics and honesty which is what I look for in a lawyer .
  
 
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   kendall carpenter 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dave was my attorney recently for a car accident where I needed someone to represent me in court. After exchanging all necessary information he reassured me when the court date came that there wouldn’t be anything to worry about. On the day of court a couple problems arose and Dave was able to rectify them quickly, told me everything I need to say if needed and when it was all over he got my violation reduced significantly. I hope to never go to court again but if I do I will being calling Dave again.
  
 
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   Amanda Stallard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Retaining the services of Mr. Albo for traffic court was probably the best decision I made. He is very responsive to emails, knowledgeable, and punctual. He provided excellent advice that eased the panic of having to go to the court house and stand before a judge. I am very happy with the outcome of my visit to traffic court and highly recommend Dave Albo.
  
 
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   Mark West 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr Albo was very professional and I was pleased with the outcome.
  
 
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   M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. David was incredible to work with from clear communication and next steps. To showing up to traffic court early to walk over all steps, making case in court as experienced/intelligent/well spoken lawyer. Lastly, he even followed after case in writing to confirm the outcome outlining everything that happened in lamen terms (in my case the best outcome we could ask for). I’m so appreciative to David.
  
 
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   mitquinn88 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely top notch representation. Can't thank Dave enough for his knowledge and expertise.
  
 
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   G R 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thanks to Dave Albo for a fantastic job representing me and ensuring the best possible outcome for my case.  I highly recommend him - you will be in good hands for sure.  From start to finish he provided expert counsel and kept me well informed.  He  simply could not have done a better job.
  
 
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   Hope Carrigan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am THRILLED with the outcome of my case, all thanks to Attorney Albo's superb expertise, excellent advice & sharp negotiating skills! I am extremely relieved and  grateful; I highly recommend retaining his services. Well beyond worth it!!
  
 
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   Doug Damron 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dave did a great job representing me for my traffic court infraction! I wanted the best and his name came up as I searched for an attorney. Highly recommend him on all levels including a successful outcome to my case.