Charged With CVC 12500(a) (Unlicensed Driver?)

What is the Charge of CVC 12500(a)?

California Vehicle Code 12500(a) is a California Traffic Misdemeanor alleging that a person drove without a valid license.  In order to prove this offense the prosecution must show the following elements.

  1. The defendant was driving
  2. At the time he/she was driving he or she did not have a valid California license

Consequences of CVC 12500(a)

A CVC 12500(a) Charge carries serious consequences. These include

  • Jail
  • Misdemeanor Probation
  • Fines up to $1400
  • Public Work Service
  • A permanent criminal record.
  • Subject to habitual offender status

We can Help!

If you have been charged with engaging in a CVC 12500(a), we can help.  We have successfully defended hundreds of these very serious misdemeanors.  We have the knowledge and skill needed to get your case dismissed, acquitted, or substantially reduced.

Valid Out-of-State License

In some cases, a person is accused of CVC 12500(a) when he or she has a valid foreign jurisdiction license.  Under this law, if you move to California and intend to reside here permanently, you must obtain a California license within 10 days of arriving.  However, there are some exceptions for college students and military personnel.

Plea Bargaining

Often times a traffic misdemeanor can be favorably resolved with some creative plea bargaining.  Plea bargaining is where the defendant pleads to lesser charges to avoid the penalties of the more severe charges.  In a 12500(a) case a common plea bargain is where the prosecution allows the defendant to plead to the count as an infraction offense.  The defendant pays a small fine but a criminal record.  Plea bargaining doesn’t happen automatically.  It requires a skilled negotiator and advocate to convince the prosecution to reduce the charges.

Misdemeanor Cases

Successfully defending a misdemeanor case may include the following procedures:

  • Court Appearances
  • DMV “Admin Per Se” Hearing
  • DMV License Status Hearing
  • Motion Hearings on discovery and evidence admissibility/suppression
  • Prosecutor Negotiation
  • Judge or Jury Trial
  • Plea Bargaining
  • Sentencing

Some of the strategies we employ may include the following:

  • Discovery Sanctions
  • Subpoenaing Documents
  • Trial Continuances
  • Pitchess Motions
  • Witness 402 Hearings
  • and others…

Learn More…

If you are charged with a Traffic Misdemeanor or DUI, hire California’s best traffic law firm. We can help you get a great result on your case. To learn more about our procedures and how we can represent you, call the California Ticket King, PC at 619-708-2073 or email our attorneys at info@caticketking.com.

We Go To Court For You!

Attorney Advantage

Hiring an attorney to defend your traffic ticket may mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal. With high fines, DMV points and your license at stake, you need an experienced traffic law firm to handle it. Our traffic attorneys are the best in the business because:

Knowledgeable

We know the law and procedure that govern traffic law and traffic courts. We use the knowledge we've gained to get an advantage in court. Knowing the right legal maneuvers may mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.

We go to court for you

Under Penal Code 977 we can make all your court appearances without you having to be present. In most cases, you will never have to go to court. We appear on your behalf and represent you to the fullest extent of the law.

Cost effective

Hiring an attorney doesn't have to be expensive. Our fees are reasonable because we have designed our business to be efficient. Many clients actually save money because they have hired our law firm.