WESTBURY, NY -As of November 1, a new law aimed at keeping high-risk drivers off the road is officially in effect in New York. This law reduces the number of prior license suspensions required before a driver can be charged with first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a Class E felony. Previously, the threshold was set at ten suspensions, but under the new legislation, it has been lowered to five.
The legislation, Angelica’s Law, which took effect on November 1, 2024, was enacted in memory of 14-year-old Angelica Nappi from Holbrook, New York. On February 19, 2008, Angelica tragically lost her life when a driver with seven license suspensions ran a red light in Medford, colliding with the vehicle she was in. The driver faced only a misdemeanor charge and served four months in jail. This lenient outcome highlighted the need for stricter penalties for repeat offenders.
The new law reduces the number of prior license suspensions, aiming to enhance road safety and prevent similar tragedies. Upon conviction, the penalties include fines between $500 and $5,000, imprisonment for up to four years and/or probation.
