New York versus Aggravated Unlicensed Operation Crimes
Have you ever driven past an officer handcuffing an individual on the side of the road? You would think they are probably getting arrested for committing a severe crime like drug trafficking. You’d be surprised that sometimes, those arrests are caused by simply having an expired, suspended, or revoked license.
Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, or AUO for short, is operating a motor vehicle when your driver’s license has expired, suspended, or revoked. Keep in mind that there are different degrees of AUO. Keeping up with your driver’s license status is the best way to know you are safe from committing a crime like AUO.
Third-degree AUO accounts for a misdemeanor and is the least severe. Drivers who operate a vehicle on any public highway in the State of New York with a suspended or expired license would be charged with a third-degree offense. This violation is typically a fine ranging from $200 to $500 and imprisonment for 30 days or less.
A second-degree AUO is a misdemeanor as well. However, charges of a second-degree AUO often happen when the driver is not only pulled over without a valid active license but also has one if not more of the following:
- Have three or more past suspensions on different dates
- A prior AUO conviction that occurred within the past 18 months
- License suspension that occurred while waiting for prosecution on drug or alcohol-related charges
- A license revocation due to a drug or alcohol-related case like a DWI or DWAI
- Because they did not submit a breathalyzer test for an alcohol-related conviction
A second-degree offense of an AUO is usually a fine ranging from $500 to $1,000 and up to 6 months in probation or jail time.
First-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation offense is considered a felony. The most serious degree is punishable by a hefty fine of anywhere between $500 to $5000 with a prison term. These types of charges occur by:
- Having a past AUO while also being charged with operating a vehicle under the influence (DUI)
- Has ten or more suspension penalties on separate occasions
- Driving a motor vehicle with a revoked license for a DWI conviction, as well as refusing to take a breathalyzer.
It is also important to note that in The State of New York, it is possible to be cited for a related crime like these even if you are not driving the vehicle yourself! It’s crazy, I know, but registered car owners can be charged under the New York state law if they allow an individual with an expired, suspended, or revoked license to operate their motor vehicle. These penalties are heavy for the car owner because the fines range from $500 to $5000 and include jail time up to six months.
New Yorkers must remember that driving with a valid driver’s license is a privilege and the consequences are severe for operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. There can be defense services in place that can help you stay on top of your driver’s license status. Avoidsuspension.com is the best there is when it comes to keeping up with your driving privileges. They provide top-line customer care, fast response rates, affordable subscription options, and carrying exceptional customer satisfaction. Don’t let AUOs stress you out. Get a service like AvoidSuspension to be confident and know you are legally operating your vehicle.
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References:
https://www.tickethelp.com/aggravated-unlicensed-operation-in-new-york/
https://www.trafficlawyerny.com/articles/what-does-aggravated-unlicensed-operation-mean-in-new-york/
https://www.tilemlawfirm.com/aggravated-unlicensed-operation-of-a-motor-vehicle-in-new-york.html
