Aggravated Unlicensed Operation Attorney in New York City
Facing A Criminal Charge For Driving While Suspended
If you have been charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, you are not dealing with a simple traffic ticket. In New York, this is a criminal traffic charge that can lead to fines, possible jail, and serious problems for your license and record. It can feel shocking, especially if you did not realize your license was suspended. If you find yourself in this situation, our aggravated unlicensed operation attorney in New York City can help you.
At Traffic Court Pro PLLC, we focus on defending drivers in traffic courts and criminal courts across New York City. For more than a decade, our firm has helped drivers handle suspensions, tickets, and related criminal charges in the city’s courts. We understand how quickly a missed court date or an unpaid ticket can turn into a serious problem.
We offer an affordable flat fee for traffic violation defense and provide a free consultation with our attorney so you can understand your options before making any decisions. Our team is accessible and straightforward, and we work to guide you through each step so you are not facing this alone.
To talk with our aggravated unlicensed operation attorney about your situation and learn how our flat-fee representation works, contact us online or call us at (516) 289-9804 for a free consultation today.
Why Choose Us When You Have an AUO Charge
When you are accused of an AUO charge, it helps to have a firm that works with traffic cases every day. Our entire practice is built around traffic-related offenses in New York City, including situations that lead to criminal charges for driving while your license is suspended or revoked. This focus means our aggravated unlicensed operation attorneys are familiar with how these cases typically move through the system and what issues often appear in the background.
We regularly represent drivers in criminal courts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Each borough’s courts have their own routines, from how calendars are managed to how plea discussions are usually scheduled. Our experience across the five boroughs helps us prepare you for what to expect and plan a strategy that fits the court where your case is pending.
Our attorney has spent over ten years in New York City traffic courts and related venues, dealing with everything from simple speeding tickets to more complex suspended license matters. Over that time, we have developed working relationships within the legal community, including with police officers and judges. These relationships do not control outcomes, and no one can promise a specific result, but they do give us practical insight into how local cases are handled and what information is important.
We understand that cost is a significant concern for drivers who are already facing fines and potential surcharges. Our flat fee is designed to be predictable, so you understand the legal cost up front instead of worrying about hourly bills. We also make ourselves available to answer questions and provide updates, because it is difficult to move forward when you are left wondering what is happening with your case.
Understanding Aggravated Unlicensed Operation
Before you can decide what to do, it helps to understand what this charge means. Aggravated Unlicensed Operation typically arises when police stop a driver for a reason, run their license, and discover that the New York DMV has the license marked as suspended or revoked. Many people are surprised because the suspension stems from an old ticket, an unpaid fine, or a notice that never reached them.
New York law has different degrees of this charge. The degree that applies to you can depend on factors such as why your license was suspended in the first place, how many suspensions are open, and whether there are prior convictions for similar conduct. Higher degrees can carry more severe potential penalties, including a greater risk of jail and longer license consequences.
Even at the lowest level, this criminal traffic charge is more serious than most standard moving violations. A conviction can create or add to a criminal record, and courts may impose fines, surcharges, and a period of probation in some cases. Insurance companies may also react to any related driving record entries, which can affect your rates over time.
Some potential consequences of a conviction can include:
- Criminal conviction that appears in background checks
- Fines and mandatory state surcharges set by law
- Possible jail or probation, depending on the degree and history
- Additional license suspension or revocation by the New York DMV
- Higher insurance premiums or problems with certain jobs that involve driving
These outcomes are not the same in every situation, because courts consider your prior record, the reason for the suspension, and other facts. Part of our role is to review your history and help you understand the level of risk in your case, then work toward a result that protects your future as much as possible.
What To Do After An AUO Charge
Once you receive a ticket or paperwork for aggravated unlicensed operation, time begins to move quickly. Court dates in New York City criminal courts are usually scheduled on specific days, and missing a date can make a difficult situation worse. Taking a few careful steps now can make a real difference later.
First, it is generally safer not to continue driving on the same suspended license while your case is pending. Each time police stop you, you risk additional charges, and in some circumstances, the penalties can increase if the court sees repeated incidents. We can talk during your consultation about what it may take to address the underlying suspension so you can work toward getting back to lawful driving.
Next, look closely at the paperwork you were given when you were charged. The documents usually list the exact court location, date, and time. In New York City, these cases often appear in criminal courts that are separate from traffic ticket venues, so it is important to know exactly where you must go.
It is also helpful to gather any letters you have received from New York DMV, plus past tickets or court documents that might relate to your suspension. Having this information ready allows us to see the broader picture of your driving record and identify what led to your current situation.
Helpful steps to take before your first court date include:
- Reviewing your ticket or paperwork to confirm the court address and date
- Collecting recent DMV notices or prior tickets related to your license
- Avoid additional driving if your license is currently suspended or revoked
- Writing down what happened during the stop while it is still fresh
- Contacting our firm to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options
How We Handle AUO Cases
Every case begins with understanding where it fits in the New York City court system and how it connects to your DMV record. When you hire our firm, we review your ticket, any accompanying criminal complaint, and the information you provide about past tickets or suspensions. This helps us identify why your license is currently suspended and what might be required to correct that status.
In many AUO cases, the first appearance is held in a criminal court in the borough where the police stopped you. At that appearance, the court typically confirms basic information and may discuss how the case will proceed. Our aggravated unlicensed operation attorney works to make sure you know what to expect before each court date and understand the possible paths forward.
We speak with you about your priorities, whether that is reducing the risk of jail, avoiding a permanent criminal conviction, protecting employment that depends on driving, or working toward license restoration where that is possible. These goals shape how we approach discussions in court and how we advise you about the options that arise.
Throughout the case, we stay focused on communication. We respond to calls and emails, explain developments in clear language, and prepare you for each step so you are not surprised by what happens in court. Our flat-fee structure also means you are not choosing between asking a question and watching the clock, which makes it easier to stay informed.
Because our practice centers on traffic-related offenses, we understand how criminal court proceedings interact with New York DMV actions. Part of our work is to help you see how choices in the criminal case may affect your license and driving record, and to consider that when you are deciding which path to take. While no attorney can promise a specific result, we work to protect your interests at each stage and to guide you toward informed decisions.
Call (516) 289-9804 to schedule your free consultation now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aggravated Unlicensed Operation a Crime in New York?
Yes, this charge is treated as a crime under New York law. The exact level can vary based on why your license was suspended and your prior history. We explain how the specific section you are charged under fits your situation and what that can mean in court.
Will I Go to Jail for an AUO Charge?
Jail is a possibility in some AUO cases, especially at higher degrees or with a significant history. Many factors influence what a court might do, including your record and the facts of the stop. Our role is to review those factors and work to reduce that risk wherever possible.
Do I Have to Appear in Court for My AUO Case?
Most AUO matters are handled in criminal courts that expect the driver to appear. In some circumstances, scheduling and appearance rules can vary by court and charge. We discuss what your paperwork requires and what to expect at your specific New York City court date.
Can You Help Me Fix My Suspended License Issue?
We regularly work with drivers whose license problems are tied to tickets or suspensions. While we cannot change DMV rules, we can help you understand what is causing the suspension and talk through steps that may be available so you can work toward resolving it.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Your Firm for an AUO Charge?
We handle these cases on an affordable flat-fee basis, so you know your legal cost up front. The exact fee depends on the details of your case. During your free consultation, we review your situation and explain the flat fee before you decide whether to move forward.
When you reach out to Traffic Court Pro PLLC, we go through these details with you. Our goal in that first conversation is to answer your immediate questions, explain the process in the court where your case is scheduled, and outline how our flat-fee representation would work if you decide to move forward with us.
