# Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle

## <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">VTL 511(3)(a) Unlicensed Operation</span>

<p class="callout danger">****Unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree in violation of section 511(3)(a)(i) of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, which prohibits a person from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs while knowing or having reason to know that his or her license is suspended, is categorically a crime involving moral turpitude.**** <u>*****Matter of Lopez-Meza*****</u>****, 22 I&amp;N Dec. 1188 (BIA 1999), followed.**** *****See Matter of Margaret VUCETIC*********, 28 I&amp;N Dec. 276 (BIA 2021)****</p>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">N.Y. Veh. &amp; Traf. Law § 511(3)(a)(i) (McKinney 2014). This provision requires a defendant to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway while under the influence of alcohol or a drug knowing or having reason to know his or her license or privilege of operating such a motor vehicle or privilege of obtaining a license to operate such a vehicle is suspended, revoked, or otherwise withdrawn. CJI2d\[NY\] Veh. &amp; Traf. Law § 511(3)(a)(i) (2020).</span>

#### <u>*****Matter of Margaret VUCETIC*****</u> ****(BIA 2021)****

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a </span>**mens rea** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap;">element because it requires that he know that his license is revoked or suspended already. </span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); white-space: pre-wrap;">FULL DECISION: </span>[<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/1381766/dl?inline=</span>](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/1381766/dl?inline=)