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10387 Posts
I felt sick after I found out what it meant
I'm 17 years old, I live in California, and I don't even have a permit yet.
On July 2nd, before my family and I went to SK for vacation, practically my whole family was at SD except for me. I had the stupid compulsion to take the car and to go get a burger. At the stoplight, I didn't brake hard enough, and I hit a car in front of me (not that hard tho). We pullover, and the guy calls the cops because of something about insurance because his bumper was slightly raised :\
God I was in such a mental wreck at that moment. Cops came, and I lied that I had a permit, and eventually I got to leave, but I get a ticket and I'm supposed to show my permit to them either on the court date (august 13) or sooner, and I would get off pretty much free. I was to leave to SK the day after tomorrow. I was panicking in my head and extremely anxious. I take an online Drivers ed course and complete it that day, but they wont be able to deliver it to me before I leave because July 4th they don't send stuff on holidays.. So there was no way to get a permit before I left.
Eventually I told my parents, which my mom totally freaked out :\ but my dad remained cool. What we boiled it down to was that I would get my permit as soon as we got back, and then show it to them on the court date. Anxiety remains throughout my entire vacation, but some relief as the worst that can happen would be a mark on my record (so says someone at least)
Now I get back, and there's a letter from the police. It says it'll be notified by the juvie court, and they changed the violation code from 12951(a) to 12500(a). At first I have no idea what this means.. and then I look it up online and the possible penalties. My mind just went totally blank and my stomach started to feel not good.
Tomorrow I'm going to take the written test at the DMV to get my permit, but what good is that going to do now? I just feel awful and I feel like my life is gonna end. I know I'm probably overreacting to this, but I'm in need of some serious help here. Just what can I do now?? 
 
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what's the maximum penalty you can get, you'll probably only get a slap on the wrist for driving unlicensed, if you at least had a learners permit or something.
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12500(a) is the law that says unlawful driving without a license which is a misdemeanor or infraction.
12951(a) is the law that states you need to have your documentation with you when you drive.
I'm pretty sure when you go to court it will say when you had your permit and they will notice the dates. Most likely you will get your permit revoked for a year or until 18 or something like that. Might have to pay some fines but probably no jail time. Unless the judge is a douche and throws the book at you for lying to an officer.
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Oh wow...
Well it's not like it is a felony or anything. Apparently it can either be a misdemeanor or an infraction.
In your case I wouldn't hope for much though, since you weren't even licensed at a point in time. It's not like you just didn't renew your license.
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So what does the code change exactly mean? Did they find out you actually didn't have a permit?
I can't imagine a punishment beyond a fine of some sort and/or a class you'd have to go to. Your also under 18 which makes a big difference in terms of how serious they'll take your case.
That's my opinion, anyways.
I'm curious as to if your parents will be blamed. You rear ended somebody quite simply because of a lack of driving experience. The accident could of been much more serious in another situation.
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Damn...
What a stupid idea to take a care like that too ? After complains about that...
Anyway, you lerant something after doing this mistake.
Well, I don't know how its happen in the USA but in general if you aren't adult, you will not have big punishment but maybe your parents will have. I don;t know.
I guess you will not go to jail for few days, but certainly some fee to pay I guess and a sanction saying "If you do that again, jail" something like that.
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On August 11 2009 16:49 ArvickHero wrote:Tomorrow I'm going to take the written test at the DMV to get my permit, but what good is that going to do now? I just feel awful and I feel like my life is gonna end. I know I'm probably overreacting to this, but I'm in need of some serious help here. Just what can I do now??
Go to court and tell the truth. Apologize like you mean it, and tell the judge you took drivers ed, got your permit, etc. Driving without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1000 and 6 months in jail, but there's no way in hell a judge would actually throw you in jail for this.
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10387 Posts
Idk about the code change meaning, but I'm just going to assume they did a check up on me or they assumed I didn't have a license after I didn't even show up to show them a permit (mail date says the 8th the correction was sent, 6 days after I the accident).. Lying to that cop was the most dumbass thing I did imo the only good thing that came out of it was that the car didn't get impounded..
As for driving experience, I'm actually not too bad of a driver, since my dad and some of my friends have taught me how to drive.. but a week before the incident I was driving w/ my friend (who recently got a license) and he told me that I was driving too slow on the freeways/highways.. and I took his word for it since he already had his license. If I wasn't so dumb and actually thought about that I guess it would've never happened :\
As for blame.. I'm guessing if I say my uncle/grandpa (who lives in korea) taught me to drive, that way they can't get my parents in trouble..? :\
Most likely I think just a mark on my record/fine, but I'm slightly fatalistic and there IS a chance of it being.. a lot worse. Just that possibility is making me go crazy in my head and have the butterflies fly apeshit crazy in my stomach
From some LA attorney's site: "Maximum penalty is up to six months in jail and $1000+ penalty assessments (about $4000)." I'm not sure exactly what that last part means, whether it is mandatory or maximum D:
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Get a lawyer. Now.
Driving with no license or a revoked license is a misdemeanor. Sans lawyer you're not going to duck that (potentially even with). With a misdemeanor on your record before your even an adult it is going to fuck the crap out of you for a while.
In the least they will likely fine the snot of you and give you community service.
p.s. sob like a girl day of.
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10387 Posts
On August 11 2009 17:17 ShadowDrgn wrote:Show nested quote +On August 11 2009 16:49 ArvickHero wrote:Tomorrow I'm going to take the written test at the DMV to get my permit, but what good is that going to do now? I just feel awful and I feel like my life is gonna end. I know I'm probably overreacting to this, but I'm in need of some serious help here. Just what can I do now?? Go to court and tell the truth. Apologize like you mean it, and tell the judge you took drivers ed, got your permit, etc. Driving without a license is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1000 and 6 months in jail, but there's no way in hell a judge would actually throw you in jail for this.
That is my intention now. I really see no point in lying, it won't help me. The fine worries me the most since we are tight on money.. I hope they have mercy..
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I'm sure you can drive, it's just that these type of accidents are really common with new drivers.
When all my friends got their license, they always hit the breaks at the last second at lights and stop signs I ask them why they do it and they don't know what I'm talking about.
They didn't hit anyone, but it's terrible for your breaks and it really annoys your passengers.
There's no reason to speed up or to keep speed to a red light, you are going to be waiting like everyone else once you stop.
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10387 Posts
On August 11 2009 17:22 sk` wrote:
Get a lawyer. Now.
Driving with no license or a revoked license is a misdemeanor. Sans lawyer you're not going to duck that (potentially even with). With a misdemeanor on your record before your even an adult it is going to fuck the crap out of you for a while.
In the least they will likely fine the snot of you and give you community service.
p.s. sob like a girl day of.
I read that misdemeanor records before I'm 18 can be expunged when I turn 18?
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Don't worry about it, you did something pretty damn stupid but you will be fine. It's not like you killed anyone. Just don't lie to the cops from now on (:
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On August 11 2009 19:56 nttea wrote:
Don't worry about it, you did something pretty damn stupid but you will be fine. It's not like you killed anyone. Just don't lie to the cops from now on (:
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Why don't you come clean now? I don't think lying about having a license is a good idea in the first place. When they look at the date the license was issued they'll know what's up and this might make the whole situation even worse.
You're still a minor so I think you can get away with a fine :O
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You'll be okay. Idk if you should come clean now, but I imagine it will be pretty easy to see at how the dates don't match up. If your family has a lawyer they use for this, might be smart to call him and ask for advice. But chances of you actually getting any time in juvi is less than slim. Community service, a fine, and a slap on the wrist is probably all you'll get.
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Should be fine but would be good to have a lawyer's advice
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Wow, why would your parents let you go driving when you have 0 documentation of a license or permit... Thats just not responsible and they might get dragged into this with you, the only way around that part is to either have them take the blame in which case they are screwed or you say you took the car without asking and its considered Grand Theft Auto but your parents drop the charges since you saved them too. Other than that lying to the officer was a bad move and that in itself is punishable by law im pretty sure. Luckily nobody got hurt or worse wound up dead becasue that would be vehicular manslaughter add that to the no license and you would be railed. But that is not the case so gl with telling the truth and covering for your parents.
P.S. Did you really think that saying you had your license and then getting it after the incident date would fool the police... They can just match dates lol, extremely easily as well.
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EPT
