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What You Should Know About Driving With An Out-Of-State License

Since Barack Obama became President of the United States on January 20, 2009, more than one million people have been deported. That is a striking comparison to the 1.57 million people deported during the eight years George W. Bush was President. What is the reason for this incredible increase in deportations? The answer is new federal programs like Secure Communities.

Secure Communities enables local police officers to check a person’s immigration status during any lawful motor vehicle stop or random neighborhood patrolling. As a word of warning, I often advise people not to drive with out-of-state licenses. What you should know is that if you obtain a driver’s license from Maryland today but have previously plead guilty in a New Jersey municipal court of a motor vehicle offense such as being an Unlicensed Driver (N.J.S.A. 39:3-10B) you are at risk for being arrested and charged with a false document; a disorderly person’s criminal offense.

What you need to know is that there is a record of your identity and address with the Motor Vehicle Commission that can be accessed by a local police officer if you are ever stopped in New Jersey. Every municipal court creates a driver’s license number under your identity for payments of fines and penalties. Thus, you have a driver’s license number even though you are unable to get a physical driver’s license. It is simply a way for the Motor Vehicle Commission to keep track of your suspension and time to pay your restoration fee if you plead guilty to an Unlicensed Driver offense in municipal court or any other offense where a suspension is mandatory.

What you should remember about driving with an out-of-state license is that once stopped an officer will make inquiries as to where you reside and for how long when you show him that Maryland license. All he has to do is enter your name and date of birth in order to access all motor vehicle violations you plead guilty to in any municipal court in New Jersey. Your response to his questions will be critical. What you should do is answer all law enforcement questions honestly.

If you would like a consultation regarding any Immigration question you may have after reading this article, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Michele Alcalde, Esq.
331 Newman Springs Road
Building 1, Suite 143
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Office (732) 784-1822

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