Unlawful use of Driver’s License

If you or someone you know has been arrested for unlawful use of a driver's license in Orange County, an experienced attorney can help with your case. Orange County defense lawyer, William Weinberg is an experienced attorney who has successfully defended hundreds of clients, including those who have been charged with unlawful use of a driver's license. Mr. Weinberg takes the time to individually review each potential client's case to provide a plan that works best for their circumstances.

Driver's licenses are essential for most individual's everyday life. You need a driver's license to get into certain bars and restaurants, to board an airplane, and to check into a hotel. Therefore, because the driver's license is so essential, some people who do not have a driver's license make the decision to either use someone else's license or to create a fraudulent license. The unlawful use of or alteration of a driver's license is a crime that can carry serious consequences under California Vehicle Code Section 14610(a). This code section also applies to temporary driver's license permits. Typically in Orange County, issues related to driver's licenses are handled by the DMV, however it is important to note that the unlawful use of a driver's license is a criminal charge. It will be handled by a criminal court and there may be potential criminal penalties associated with a conviction.

This statue is very similar to the unlawful use of identification cards (California Vehicle Code Section 13004). These statutes are essentially the same, however CVC 14610 is specific to a driver's license, while CVC 13004 is for any identification card. Driving on a suspended or revoked license (California Vehicle Code Section 14601) is another similar charge, however this charge requires that your own license has been suspended or revoked, while CVC 14610 also applies to using either someone else's driver's license or creating/altering a license so that it is not a valid driver's license.

CVC 14610 and 14601 are very similar charges however and could potentially both be charged against someone in one single situation. For example, suppose a person was convicted for a DUI and subsequently had his driver's license suspended by the DMV. However, he decided to keep his driver's license even though he had been ordered to surrender his license to the DMV because he really needed it to get to work and to take his kids to school. He decides to go for a drive and is pulled over. This person could be charged under both CVC 14601 and 14610(a)(1) because he was driving with a suspended license and he had a suspended driver's license in his possession. Therefore if you have found yourself in a similar situation, it is important that you hire an experienced attorney to help defend your case or you may be facing multiple criminal convictions on your record.

Orange County defense attorney William Weinberg has many years of experience defending clients faced with charges of unlawful use of a driver's license. He will consider your case free of charge and advise you of your options. To reach him please contact his Irvine office at 949-474-8008 or by emailing him at bill@williamweinberg.com.