Am I going to go to prison? Expired driver's license...

[Anonymous]

I forgot to renew my license and was driving with an expired one (it had expired about two months earlier). I was pulled over for making an illegal left turn. The officer saw my license and said, I could actually arrest you for this - but I'm not going to of course. But please renew license. I got a citation that says "criminal application" (!).
Apparently I have to fill out a form and show up at court.

When I go to court -- could I be hauled off to jail? This is a serious question. I am incredibly scared (and I suffer from panic attacks).

[Anonymous]

Doubtful. If they were going to arrest you, they would have at point of infraction.
Also, two years of COVID means they’re exceptionally lenient these days. Stuff happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I forgot to renew my license and was driving with an expired one (it had expired about two months earlier). I was pulled over for making an illegal left turn. The officer saw my license and said, I could actually arrest you for this - but I'm not going to of course. But please renew license. I got a citation that says "criminal application" (!).
Apparently I have to fill out a form and show up at court.

When I go to court -- could I be hauled off to jail? This is a serious question. I am incredibly scared (and I suffer from panic attacks).

I will let your fellow Americans chime in (I'm non-US) but I just wanted to respond quickly because I know what anxiety is like!

As far a I know, NO you won't go to jail don't worry. You'll have to pay a fine though.

I suppose technically if you could not pay the fine they could say 3 days in jail instead - but don't worry, you'll just pay the fine. It won't be a big fine.

[Anonymous]

Go to the DMV and update your license before your court date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the DMV and update your license before your court date.

Yes, this. Then ask the judge to lower the fine bc it was only just expired. I say this from experience. The first thing the judge will ask is to see your new license. If you don't have one, next question, did you drive here.

[Anonymous]

OP, the judge most likely will let you off if it is your first time.

https://rollinsandchan.com/arrested-for-driving-with-no-permit-in-dc/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the DMV and update your license before your court date.

THIS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to the DMV and update your license before your court date.

THIS.

In all seriousness OP, you likely won't get sent to jail, but if you really want to have the best chance of not, go get your license renewed right away. Like tomorrow. Be a responsible citizen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to the DMV and update your license before your court date.

this. Fix the issue and it will go away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I forgot to renew my license and was driving with an expired one (it had expired about two months earlier). I was pulled over for making an illegal left turn. The officer saw my license and said, I could actually arrest you for this - but I'm not going to of course. But please renew license. I got a citation that says "criminal application" (!).
Apparently I have to fill out a form and show up at court.

When I go to court -- could I be hauled off to jail? This is a serious question. I am incredibly scared (and I suffer from panic attacks).

No. Probably a fine and a stern look from the judge.

[Anonymous]

Have you made several previous posts about car/traffic issues? Expired inspection, speeding. . .? In all you've mentioned a fear of going to jail.

[Anonymous]

Are you white?

[Anonymous]

OP, this is pure speculation on my end but if the peace officer told you that, then he likely was making a sarcastic joke.

Which I would not think is very funny personally. 🫤

But to answer your question - no you won’t be going to jail for performing an illegal U-turn on an expired driver’s license.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you made several previous posts about car/traffic issues? Expired inspection, speeding. . .? In all you've mentioned a fear of going to jail.

No. OP here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, this is pure speculation on my end but if the peace officer told you that, then he likely was making a sarcastic joke.

Which I would not think is very funny personally. 🫤

But to answer your question - no you won’t be going to jail for performing an illegal U-turn on an expired driver’s license.

Your “pure speculation” is devoid of fact. The police officer could have absolutely arrested OP for driving on an expired license. Why would you think that’s a joke? It’s actually a serious offense.