SPRINGFIELD - Judge Patricia Poehler was trying to make a point.

Judge Patricia T. Poehler

Moments before accepting Victor Rivera's guilty plea in Springfield District Court Friday to another driving-without-a- license charge, the judge suggested a strategy for regaining his license and avoiding jail.

"Stop driving," she told Rivera, 27, of Springfield, whose license was revoked last year after he was classified as a habitual traffic offender.

"You can't keep driving," she added.

"How am I going to get to work?" Rivera asked.

Not by driving, the judge responded.

"The answer isn't to keep violating he law," she said.



The exchange came during a change-of-plea hearing for Rivera, whose license was suspended in 2010 for failure to pay child support and revoked in 2014 following multiple traffic violations.

Undeterred, Rivera was driving on July 5 when police charged him with speeding, driving without a license; driving without a registration and driving without insurance, according to Assistant District Attorney Karen McCarthy.

During the hearing, Poehler asked whether Rivera was taking steps to get his license reinstated.

"I've already paid $5,000 in child support and I owe more," he responded.

Poehler, noting it was the 10th time he was charged for driving without a license, said each new offense results in higher fines and a possible jail sentence.

The judge urged him to contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles and apply for a restricted license that would allow him to drive to work.

In the end, Rivera pleaded guilty to operating with a revoked license; operating without registration; and speeding. The fourth charge, operating without insurance, was dropped.



Under the plea, Rivera must pay $650 in court costs and wait another year before regaining his driving privileges.