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House OKs bill making driving without a license a civil offense
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Posted on Mar 23 2008
The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that seeks to downgrade driving without a license from a misdemeanor to a civil offense.
Authored by Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, H.B. 16-55 amends Title 9, Section 2201, making driving without a license “a civil infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $50 for the first offense and more than $100 for any second or subsequent offense. Any person assessed a civil fine under this subsection may, in lieu of appearing in court, pay the fine to the Clerk of Court prior to the court appearance date.”
Under the current law, the penalty for driving without a license—either misplaced or left at home—is no different from drivers who intently operate vehicles in the Commonwealth without proper documentation.
Under Title 9, Section 2202, both offenders are charged with a misdemeanor and can be punished with not more than six months imprisonment or not more than $500 fine, or both.
H.B. 16-55, according to the legislation, downgrades driving without a license to “a civil offense rather a misdemeanor due to the nature of the offense, the lack of victim, and the current cost to the court system in appointing attorneys to represent persons charged under the section.”
The bill now heads to the Senate and if approved by the upper chamber will be forwarded to the Governor’s Office for Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s signature, the last step for the legislation to become law.
