Are you charged with a criminal driving offense in Los Angeles?

Driving offenses are serious, and a conviction for a driving offense may have severe and disruptive consequences. Because everybody drives, and driving offenses are more common than other crimes, few people realize just how serious these charges are. Even a misdemeanor driving with a suspended license charge could result in jail time, and a felony evading charge may result in prison time.

If you are facing driving related charges in Los Angeles, or Southern California, contact Miles Booth immediately. Miles Booth is an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands how to navigate criminal driving charges, and has successfully navigated dismissals and charge reductions for many satisfied DUI clients.

Miles Booth proudly serves clients all throughout Los Angeles County, and Southern California. Call 424 272 1134 today for a Free Consultation.

What are the penalties for a criminal driving offense?

There are a wide variety of criminal driving offenses in California, and the penalties for these offenses depend on a number of factors.

Many misdemeanor driving offenses are “wobblers” meaning that they can be charged as a misdemeanor or an infraction. If charged as a misdemeanor you could face up to six months in jail pursuant to statute. However, the vast majority of individuals charged with a misdemeanor driving offense will not serve any time in jail.

A conviction for a felony driving offense may have serious consequences, including time in custody, probation, fines and fees, restitution to victims, and many collateral consequences.

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Miles Booth

What are common driving offenses in Los Angeles?

Click on any specific offense to be directed to that page for more detailed information:

Hit and Run

Hit and run with property damage is a misdemeanor, while a hit and run that results in injury to another person is a “wobbler”. This means that the prosecutor has discretion to file it as a felony or a misdemeanor. It is important to note that you can be charged with hit and run even if you did not cause the collision.

To be found guilty of hit and run the prosecutor must prove that, while driving, you;

Left the scene of an accident

Knew, or reasonably should have known that you were involved in an accident

Left the scene without leaving any identifying information, and

The accident resulted in another person’s property being damaged

Evading a Police Officer

You will be charged with evading a police officer if you intentionally try to flee from a police officer while you are driving a motor vehicle. Generally, evading is charged as a misdemeanor. However, if you are driving recklessly, or injure someone, you may be charged with a felony.

Vehicular Manslaughter

If someone dies as a consequence of your driving and you were acting negligently, or committing a crime, you may be charged with vehicular manslaughter. If you were acting with gross negligence then the charge is a “wobbler”, meaning that it can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. If you were actin with ordinary negligence you will be charged with a misdemeanor.

Driving with a Suspended License

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 14601 it is illegal to drive when you know that your license has been suspended or revoked. It does not matter why your license was suspended. If the reason for the suspension was due to a DUI you will face a minimum 10 day jail sentence.

Driving Without a License

It is illegal in California to drive without a license. Driving without a license is charged under California Vehicle code section 12500, and is a “wobbler”, meaning that it can be charged as a misdemeanor or an infraction.

Contact Los Angeles Criminal defense attorney miles booth

Criminal driving charges in Los Angeles can range from a simple infraction to a felony that results in prison time. Many driving charges are “wobblers”, and the district attorney has wide discretion as to what the final charge will be. A knowledgeable Los Angeles criminal defense attorney will be able to fight for the lowest possible charges, and get you the best result.

It is important to have a professional and skilled defense attorney by your side. Miles Booth has successfully handled thousands of cases throughout Los Angeles County and will aggressively defend you from beginning to end.

Call Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Miles Booth today at 424 272 1134 for a Free Consultation.