[over the mountain]

punishments for driving on a suspended license depend on the circumstances. I got a client a nollie for driving on a suspended in balt city last month, he only had one prior driving on susp. another atty in my firm got his client 20 days in jail for driving on a suspended last month in the same courthouse. i then stepped in and handled the motion to reduce sentence. at the hearing the judge asked why my client was given 20 days. i gave some flowery response that he had just gone thru a divorce, financial troubles, failed to pay a speeding ticket which he has now paid.

the state then responded by reading off 8 prior criminal and traffic convictions (atleast 3 for driving on a susp lic) in the past 6 years. i didnt know this, pretty much got sand bagged. judge still granted the motion to reduce from 20 days to 10 which he already served but the point is . . . you rack up a couple driv on susp license you can spend some time in jail. especialy if it is for excessive speed, reckless driving and not for more understandable reasons like failed to pay a speeding ticket or being more than 1/4th behind in child support payments.