VTL § 512, “Operating While Registration Suspended/ Revoked”

Your driver’s license can get suspended. So too can your vehicles’ registration be suspended. A registration can be suspended for several reasons. In most cases, the suspended registration stems from an insurance lapse. In order to register a vehicle, you need to provide proof of insurance. The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles is notified when the insurance is removed from the car. If there is no insurance on the vehicle and the plates were not returned, then the registration of the car is suspended. Often motorists that are stopped are not aware of an insurance lapse and not aware of the suspended registration. In fact, in many cases, the motorist will be properly insured but the registration is still suspended due to a previous insurance lapse.

Statute

The wording of the statute is as follows:

§ 512. Operation while registration or privilege is suspended or revoked. Any person who operates any motor vehicle upon a public highway while the certificate of registration of such motor vehicle or privilege of operation of such motor vehicle in this state or privilege of obtaining a certificate of registration issued by the commissioner is suspended or revoked shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not exceeding thirty days or by both such fine and imprisonment for conviction of a first offense; by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not exceeding ninety days or by both such fine and imprisonment for a conviction of a second offense committed within a period of eighteen months; by a fine of not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not exceeding one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment for a conviction of a third or subsequent offense committed within a period of eighteen months.

How to Defend Against a VTL 512 Charge

Driving a vehicle with a suspended registration is a misdemeanor criminal offense and must be taken seriously. You may not have been arrested and the charge may be issued in the form of a traffic ticket, but it is a criminal offense. A conviction of Vehicle & Traffic Law § 512 will result in a permanent criminal record and possible jail time.

As it is a criminal offense, the court will require that you retain counsel. If you cannot afford an attorney the court is required to appoint an attorney for you. When charged with VTL 512, it is prudent that you retain a law firm with extensive experience in “auto crimes”. There are notice requirements and mens rea requirements. The prosecution will have a hard time proving as much, especially if the driver is not the owner of the vehicle

Benjamin Goldman Law Office

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office has successfully fought many such charges, utilizing various defenses. Our attorneys have also been able to get the charges dropped without the defendant even having to appear personally in court. Our success in fighting traffic-related charges is attested by the many five-star reviews we have received.

The Benjamin Goldman Law Office practices state-wide. We have gotten 512 charges reduced to minor traffic violations or dismissed in many different courts. A sampling includes Champlain, Putnam Valley, Ithaca, Airmont, Harrietstown, Monticello, and Brooklyn. If you are facing a charge of Driving with a Suspended Registration, you can get in touch with the Benjamin Goldman Law Office. One of our attorneys will analyze your case and determine the best defense. Consultations are free – either in person or over the phone.

Fight a VTL § 512 Ticket