| Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, commonly known | | | | instances the defendant really did not get notified of |
| among New York traffic lawyers as AUO, is a crime | | | | the suspension, but that does not save you from the |
| here in New York State. The most commonly | | | | consequences. You have a duty to notify DMV of |
| charged AUO offense is AUO 3rd, or Aggravated | | | | your address, and it's really just common sense to |
| Unlicensed Operation in the third degree. This usually | | | | make sure you have mail forwarded by the post |
| happens when someone is driving with a suspended | | | | office. |
| license. | | | | We are usually able to get these AUO charges |
| Typically, the defendant got a ticket somewhere and | | | | reduced to lesser offenses. First we help our client |
| did not make sure the ticket was resolved. In most | | | | get any suspensions cleared up. Then we talk to the |
| cases they simply ignored it. In others they did | | | | prosecutor and the Court. Two common reductions |
| communicate with the Court to some extent, but did | | | | are "Unlicensed Operator" and "Facilitating Aggravated |
| not follow up properly. If the Court decides that the | | | | Unlicensed Operation." The latter is generally better, |
| defendant has failed to "appear" (by not responding | | | | as it does not put you behind the wheel of the car |
| at all or not showing up when you're supposed to), | | | | and we think it's better for insurance purposes, |
| or failed to pay the fine, the Court notifies the DMV | | | | though it does carry a larger fine. |
| of a "scofflaw". The DMV sends out a suspension | | | | There are places where the judges or prosecutors |
| notice to the address it has for the defendant. The | | | | will not agree to reductions, so it's really best to |
| notice gives 30 days to correct the problem. | | | | make sure you follow up on your tickets. |
| In some cases the defendant gets the notice and | | | | There are higher level offenses, AUO 2nd and AUO |
| ignores it, leading to the suspension. In what seems | | | | 1st. These typically involve driving with many |
| like more cases, the defendant has moved, did not | | | | suspensions, or some connection with alcohol. They |
| notify DMV of the new address, and did not put a | | | | are treated more seriously by most courts and |
| forwarding order in with the post office. In these | | | | prosecutors. In our experience these cases are rare. |