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What Charges Could I Face for a Traffic Misdemeanor in California?

No driver is perfect. Whether you’ve ran a red light, been speeding on the highway, or driven without a license, everyone has committed some kind of traffic offense at one point or another.

But what if you were speeding because a loved one was in the hospital? If you were driving a friend home from the bar, but forgot your license at home? Will these factors change the outcome when you are facing a traffic offense in California?

California traffic misdemeanors are generally defined as crimes that pose a dangerous risk to others while driving. These include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving without a valid driver’s license
• Driving with a suspended driver’s license
• Driving with wanton disregard for safety and laws
• Driving the wrong way on a divided highway
• Drag racing or other illegal racing or driving activity
• Fleeing from the scene of an accident or from a police officer
• Resisting arrest

Traffic misdemeanors carry a wide range of penalties, including fines up to $5000 and up to one year in county jail. Depending on the severity of your circumstances, the offense may be upgraded to a felony, where increased fines and incarceration may be considered.

In most cases, you will not be taken into custody for a California misdemeanor driving offense unless you are suspected of driving under the influence. California has strict laws in place to punish DUI offenders, so it is vital that you have an experienced Ventura criminal defense attorney fighting for your rights.

The attorneys at Bamieh & Erickson have seen these types of cases before. In many situations, it was necessary for the accused to drive unlicensed, such as in an emergency where lives were at risk. We work to convince a jury that your actions were necessary and that the charges against you are not representative of the facts. If you are facing conviction, we argue for a fair sentence and reduced fines and move to get your criminal records sealed to protect your future.

If someone you love has been accused of a traffic crime in Ventura County, call our offices today at (805) 643-5555 for a free consultation. You can also fill out our online contact form on the right of this page, and we’ll send you a FREE copy of our book, How to Hire a Lawyer in Santa Barbara County.

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