An unwelcome surprise to many Floridians convicted of drug offenses is that one of the penalties for those arrested for and convicted of certain non-driving drug offenses is that you are exposed to losing your driver’s license for one year. The state of Florida is one of a small number of states that attaches the loss of your driving privileges as a criminal penalty to many non-driving crimes, particularly drug crimes that have nothing to do with driving. Most people would expect that being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would put their ability to drive at jeopardy, as this offense directly relates to someone’s fitness to drive. However, simply being in possession of a controlled substance does not necessarily make someone an unfit or unsafe driver whose license should be taken away. However, Florida is a leader among states for suspending driver’s licenses for non-driving offenses and convictions, as most drug offenses involving controlled substances in Florida includes an automatic loss of the person’s driver’s license for a period of one year. This harsh penalty is simply a reminder as to why it is necessary to fight drug charges if you are arrested for and accused of a drug crime like possession, sale or trafficking of a controlled substance in Palm Beach County. The stakes are simply too high not to force the state to prove its case.
Lose License in Florida for Non-Driving Drug Offenses
Under Florida law, a conviction for the possession, sale, trafficking or conspiracy to possess, sell or traffic a controlled substance comes with an automatic one year suspension of a person’s driver’s license. If your license is already suspended, then that suspension is extended by an additional year if you are convicted of a drug offense. Although the law does contain certain exceptions which permit a driver to get his or her license back after less than a year if he or she completes an approved drug treatment program or if the use of a car is necessary for the person’s business or employment, these are just that – exceptions. They are not automatic and contain many restrictions that can make them difficult to obtain. Therefore, if you are convicted of a drug crime in Florida, plan on losing your driving privileges for a year.
A Particular Problem for Florida Residents Convicted of Drug Crimes
Research findings released in 2016 by the Prison Policy Institute, a non-profit institution that studies ways to reduce mass incarceration in the United States, reflected that Florida suspends more driver’s licenses every year than any other state other than Michigan and Virginia. This research showed that an average of more than 24,000 Floridians lose their driver’s license each year due to convictions for non-driving-related drug offenses. This takes a toll on both these individuals as well as the state’s resources, as the study also showed that Florida spends more than $72,000 per year on mailing supplies associated with corresponding with people whose licenses were suspended for non-driving reasons. That is money that could be used to keep drunk drivers off the road or for some other more pressing purpose. In addition, this automatic suspension law also causes serious problems for those whose licenses are suspended, as they are left without a way to get to and from jobs, school, or other necessary destinations. Indeed, the Prison Policy Institute’s study found that 93% of the jobs in Palm Beach County are not reasonably accessible to those in low-income communities who may be forced to rely on public transportation. The study also found that it is those who can least afford to bear the loss of their driving privileges, those with low incomes, who are more likely to be arrested for and convicted of a drug crime. Therefore, if someone from a low-income community in Palm Beach County is convicted of a drug crime, he or she likely may have no way to get to and from work.
Contact Experienced West Palm Beach Criminal Defense Attorney Bryan Raymond Today if You Have Been Accused of a A Drug Offense in Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney Bryan Raymond is experienced in representing criminal defendants in drug crimes, including possession, distribution, and trafficking in controlled substances, that carry with them mandatory loss of a person’s driving privileges. The consequences of such a conviction can make living your day to day life a major headache in an area where having a car is a necessity to take your kids to school and pick them up, get to work, and take care of the basic necessities of life. Bryan knows the ins and outs of the rules of criminal procedure and uses that knowledge to provide his clients with skilled, aggressive representation. If you have been accused of a drug offense in Palm Beach County, contact experienced West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney Bryan Raymond today at (561) 682-1115 or [email protected].
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