Under the new law, P.L. 16-1, a person caught driving without license is no longer required to make a court appearance.
Instead, the person will pay a fine of $50 for the first offense to the Clerk of Court. For the second or subsequent offenses, he will be fined by $100.
House Bill 16-55 offered by Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan, is the first legislation passed by the 16th Legislature that was signed into law by the governor.
“I agree with the findings of the Legislature that due to the nature of the offense, driving without immediate possession of a valid license should be a civil offense instead of a misdemeanor,” said Fitial in his transmittal letter to the Legislature.
He said the government will end up saving money through the Public Law 16-1 because government lawyers won’t have to defend indigent offenders caught driving without a license.
“I am aware that offenders end up with a criminal record, which can be considered a heavy punishment since the offense lacks a victim,” said the governor.
“I appreciate that by turning this crime into a civil offense, the government will save money from having to appoint attorneys to represent indigent offenders.”
