It’s a motor vehicle violation to operate a car or truck in New Jersey if your license is suspended, or you simply never obtained a driver’s license.
This applies to suspensions issued by other states, US territories, and even other countries. If you’re pulled over by the police while driving without a valid license, you’ll have to pay fines and face further delays in getting your driver’s license instated or reinstated.
But what happens if you’re driving suspended and there’s a serious accident? That’s where N.J.S.A. 2C:40-22(a), Causing Death While Driving Suspended/Unlicensed comes in.
Under 2C:40-22(a), causing another person’s death while operating a motor vehicle without a valid license in New Jersey is a crime of the third degree, which is a felony-level crime in the state.
Penalties on a conviction for killing someone while driving on a suspended license can lead to a three to five year prison sentence, plus you’ll be disqualified from obtaining a driver’s license for a year after your sentence ends.
It doesn’t matter that you didn’t intend for anyone to get hurt. Under the law, Causing Death While Driving Suspended/Unlicensed puts you in jeopardy of spending years in prison.
If you’ve been charged under 2C:40-22(a), get the help you need right away. Call Matthew Reisig at 732-385-3339 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.