Bentonville Traffic Offense Lawyer

What Happens If You Get Pulled Over Without a License in Arkansas?

There are a few ways an individual may be guilty of driving without a license – not having their license in immediate possession, not possessing a valid license, or driving on a suspended or revoked license. By law, all Arkansas drivers are required to possess and, if requested by an officer, display a valid driver’s license. Failure to do so could be punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a maximum $500 fine. However, if the driver is able to produce later, in court or at the police station, a driver’s license that was valid at the time of the officer’s request, the charge may be dismissed.

If a driver is operating a vehicle without a valid license, though, they will face a misdemeanor conviction punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a maximum $500 fine. The few exceptions to this rule are non-resident drivers with a valid driver’s license from their home state or country, who can drive in the state without an Arkansas license if they are of a legal age, and military personnel and farmers not driving on the highway.

The consequences for driving on a suspended or revoked license are more severe, and any person who operates a vehicle while on a suspended, restricted, or revoked license will be subject to up to 6 months in jail, up to $500 in fines, and an extended driver’s license suspension for one year or the same amount of time as the original suspension. Any vehicle driven on a suspended license can also be impounded.

Let Bertucci Law Firm help your traffic offense case. Call (479) 227-2716 or contact us online.

Vehicular Homicide

A serious driving offense in Arkansas is vehicle homicide, or negligent homicide, which is when a motorist negligently causes the death of another person while driving. Note that “negligence” is when a person unknowingly does something that poses a substantial and unjustifiable risk to others.

A key element of a vehicular homicide conviction is that the prosecutor show clear proof that the negligent driving was a legal cause of the other person’s death. In other words, it is not enough to merely show the defendant drove negligently and someone died; there needs to be a direct causal link between the defendant’s driving and the death.

Generally, negligent homicide is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or a maximum $2,500 in fines. However, negligent homicide rises to a Class B felony level if the driver committed the offense while:

• intoxicated on drugs or alcohol;
• having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more;
• unlawfully passing a school bus; or
• fatigued (without sleep for at least 24 hours).

Negligent homicide at a Class B felony level warrants 5 to 20 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines. Note that all negligent homicide convictions will result in a 1-year license revocation.

Advocating for Drivers in Rogers, AR; Fayetteville, AR; Springdale, AR

Attorney Ramon Bertucci has years of professional experience handling misdemeanors and felonies alike. Whether you have legal concerns about being charged with driving on a suspended license, DWI, or even vehicular homicide, an experienced attorney can help you develop a strong case to move forward.

If you have been charged with a traffic offense in Bentonville, Arkansas, consult an experienced lawyer immediately for legal guidance. Depending on your type of traffic offense, be it a misdemeanor or a felony, you will need an attorney by your side to help you address any potential litigation or other legal consequences. Bertucci Law Firm has handled many such cases throughout its professional career and can help strategize an appropriate response to your charges.

Schedule a free consultation with Bertucci Law Firm at (479) 227-2716 or online today!