Depending on the Court a Driving While License Suspended can be handled rather casually. This has led to a widespread misunderstanding that DWLS is a traffic infraction, when it is actually a misdemeanor that will appear on your criminal record. As a misdemeanor, you may be sentenced up to 93-days in jail and/or a fine of $500.00. Subsequent charges carry higher penalties. In addition to criminal charges, there may be licensure ramifications. Should your license be suspended or revoked for another reason, upon a conviction of Driving While License Suspended the Secretary of State will delay the date that your license will be eligible for restoration.
Additionally, if anyone is injured or killed in an accident that you are involved in while your license is suspended you may be charged with a felony punishable up to 15 years, and/or $1,000.00 to $10,000.00.
In order to avoid a criminal record, high fees, licensure ramifications, and even felony charges, it is important to retain an experienced Attorney. The attorneys of Garmo & Kiste, PLC frequent Metro Detroit Courts and know many prosecutors and judges who may be involved in your case. Our office may be able to help you get these charges reduced, modified, or even dismissed and have had many successful outcomes.
To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, for assistance in these matters call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message. We are experienced Michigan attorneys with offices in Troy, MI.
Everyone expects to pay a fine, and face possible insurance premium increases when they get a traffic ticket. However, something you may not expect to be slapped with is a “Driver’s Responsibility Fee.” This fee is often assessed against people for Driving While License Suspended, or any types of driving infractions which result in seven (7) points on your license. Levied by the Department of Treasury, failure to pay the driver’s responsibility fee can result in your license being suspended with no notice to you. Even if you pay it the first time, you often may not be notified that the Driver’s Responsibility fee is often charged on a recurring basis for several years.
