Los Angeles DMV Hearing Attorney

Los Angeles DMV hearing attorney

If your license has been suspended, know that you have remedies available. You most likely rely on your driver's license to get you to school or work every day, and your life may become more difficult without it. Fortunately, you can request a hearing before the DMV to see if you can get your license reinstated.

At Hurwitz Law Group, we can assist you in every legal aspect and put your claims and requests in the best possible position. We understand how a suspended license can be both frustrating and inconvenient, and if you work with our team, we can file a successful appeal on your behalf.

Learn more about how a Los Angeles DMV hearing lawyer from our team can help you. Feel free to call us to schedule a case consultation. Let our Los Angeles DUI attorney help you build the strongest possible defense.

Information About DMV Hearings in Los Angeles

Information about DMV hearings in Los Angeles

There are various reasons why your license might get suspended, but one of the most common is a DUI conviction. Because you have been charged with DUI, the DMV can take away your license later. But if you get convicted by final judgment, your license could be suspended automatically. A driver's license suspension can make it difficult for you to get to school or work.

Remember that the DMV is not necessarily a court of law, so you will not have a jury. Instead, you need to convince the officers at the DMV hearing, like you would a trial court, that the suspension was a mistake by pointing out procedural issues and errors in the chain of custody of critical pieces of evidence. 

You only get one chance once you go before the DMV for a hearing, so you need to make the most of that opportunity. At Hurwitz Law Group, we have vast experience preparing clients for a DMV administrative hearing, and our competent and seasoned lawyers can assist you in getting your license back. Our Los Angeles DUI lawyer can also help you through the criminal court process.

Understanding the DMV Process

There are multiple moving parts involved in how the DMV operates. Also, specific traffic and criminal violations could cause your license to get suspended, but the DMV will not act on anything until your case has been properly adjudicated.

If your license has been suspended, the DMV will notify you immediately. Then, they will inform you of your rights and let you know that you need to file an appeal sooner if you want to have the DMV overturn your suspension.

You will need to file the necessary paperwork, but there is a timeframe within which you must do so. You must file your appeal within that time limit to get a chance to let the DMV hear your case. It is another reason to work with a California DMV hearing attorney.

Then, the DMV will set a date when you will go before the board, and you'll be allowed to present your case by then. The DMV will listen to your case and decide whether you deserve to get your license back.

Where the DMV Hearings Are Held

Where the DMV hearings are held

California Department of Motor Vehicle hearings are held virtually or in person. If the hearing is virtual, you will conduct the hearing via telephone. If the hearing is in-person, it will be at one of their many locations throughout California.

The DMV will ensure that the location is convenient for you. You will present your case before a DMV Hearing Officer during the hearing.

Common Causes of Suspended Licenses in Los Angeles

Being pulled over by a police officer under suspicion of driving under the influence can trigger a cascade of events. Your license might get suspended in Los Angeles for many reasons. Some of the most common causes of a suspended license in Los Angeles include the following:

  • You have been convicted of a DUI, including alcohol, drugs, or marijuana.
  • You have been found guilty of reckless driving.
  • You have excessive points or traffic violations on your driving record.
  • You have not yet provided proof of insurance.
  • You have a fine from the traffic court that you failed to pay.

Not all of these violations will lead to an automatic suspension of a driver's license, as the DMV will take the totality of someone's driving record into account. The more moving violations you have on your traffic record, the greater the chances of having your license suspended.

Suspended License After a DUI in LA

Suspended license after a DUI in LA

As alluded to above, one of the most common reasons why someone may have their license suspended is a DUI. Driving under the influence can dramatically increase someone's chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. 

Your license will automatically get suspended if you are convicted of driving under the influence. A DUI arrest is a serious matter. Relying on a Los Angeles DUI lawyer to help you protect your California driver's license is the wisest decision.

The period of the suspension of your license will depend on the number of convictions you have. For example, the first time you get convicted of a DUI, your license will be suspended for a year. If you are convicted of another DUI within ten years, your license will be suspended for two years.

Even when you get your license back, you could have an ignition interlock system placed on your vehicle.

Suspended License for Negligent Operations of a Motor Vehicle

Another common reason you could have your license suspended is the negligent operation of motor vehicles. Because of this, you can accumulate excessive points on your record.

Traffic violations can cause an increase of traffic points to your record, and the more points you have, the higher the chances of having your license suspended.

For example, speeding, rolling through a stop sign, and passing a loading or unloading school bus could increase the points accumulated in your record.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) Notifications

You should know precisely how many points you have on your record, and you will receive notifications for the recently added ones. Remember that you can also receive NOTS violations for car accidents and when driving under the influence.

If your license has been suspended, you will receive a notification, and you can schedule a hearing to try to get your license back. A negligent operator hearing could accompany a court proceeding.

Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS) Hearing

If you want to schedule a hearing because your license has been suspended under NOTS, you should work with a defense attorney who can prepare the strongest arguments and fortified defenses. You will need to schedule a hearing before the DMV. After this, you'll need the assistance of our experienced attorneys to help your case succeed.

Scope of a NOTS Hearing

If your driving privileges have been suspended under NOTS, you have the right to be heard by the DMV. The scope of the hearing is relatively narrow. You can discuss the following:

  • Whether your driving record is correct;
  • Whether you have any pending charges before a court or agency;
  • Whether a physical or mental condition could be relevant to your driving record;
  • The at-fault party for the motor vehicle accident;
  • Consumption of alcohol or drugs, if pertinent to your case; and
  • Any aggravating or mitigating factors.

These aggravating and mitigating factors can significantly affect the final decision. It would help if you worked with a defense attorney who understands how these factors might play a role in your case.

Scheduling a DMV Hearing

Scheduling a DMV hearing

You need to schedule a DMV hearing as soon as possible. Your criminal defense attorney can help you with everything from preparing your hearing conveniently to winning your case.

The 10-Day Rule

Once you receive notification that your driving privileges have been suspended, you have ten days to schedule a hearing with the DMV. Therefore, you must move as quickly as possible. It gives you another convincing reason to work with a Los Angeles DMV hearing lawyer.

The Odds of Winning a DMV Hearing

The odds of winning a DMV hearing depend on the circumstances of your license suspension. You can work with your lawyer and do everything possible to maximize your chances of winning. Working with a Los Angeles DMV hearing attorney can increase your chances of getting your suspension overturned.

The California DMV Penalties

There are a variety of penalties the DMV can levy, but the nature of the penalties will depend on the issue at hand. 

For example, if you are late registering your vehicle, the penalty will be a percentage of the overall registration fee. The penalty will increase the longer you delay payment. 

Legal Defenses You Can Present in a DMV Hearing to Preserve Your Driving Rights

Legal defense you can present in a DMV hearing to preserve your driving rights

There are defenses you can present at a DMV hearing that could help you protect your driving rights. A few examples include:

  • The driving record the DMV is using against you is incorrect.
  • The tests the officers administered at the scene were administered incorrectly.
  • The officer did not have probable cause to pull you over.
  • The assignment of the at-fault party was erroneous. 
  • You were not operating a motor vehicle when the incident was alleged to happen.

We can examine your case meticulously to see which defenses work best for you.

Possible Outcomes of a Los Angeles DMV Hearing

There are numerous outcomes following your DMV hearing. Some of the most common examples include the following:

  • The DMV might decide to sustain the action.
  • The DMV could also choose to order probation and monitor future driving.
  • The DMV could set aside the legal action because of a lack of evidence.
  • The DMV could rule to terminate the penalty or suspension altogether.

We will do our best to help you achieve the most desired outcome for your case.

Our DMV Hearing Lawyer at Hurwitz Law Group Can Help You

You must do everything you can to fight for your rights because you only get one chance to go before the DMV for a hearing.

At Hurwitz Law Group, our DMV hearing attorney will review your case, review the evidence, call witnesses to testify on your behalf if deemed beneficial, and make sure your voice is heard.

If you want to maximize your chances of regaining your driving rights, call us today to schedule a case consultation.

Contact Our Los Angeles DMV Hearing Lawyer for a Free Case Consultation

Contact our Los Angeles DMV hearing lawyer for a free case consultation

Having your license suspended can be highly stressful, and we always understand what our clients are going through. Our law office can help you with all aspects of your criminal case.

At Hurwitz Law Group, we will devote our time, knowledge, and resources to fight for our rights. We have already worked with countless clients who can testify to our unmatched legal services.

Call us today and schedule a case consultation, and let our DUI lawyers help you fight the suspension of your license.

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