Driving While License Suspended or Revoked in Michigan

Driving while license suspended or revoked (DWLS/DWLR) is a criminal offense, unlike a speeding ticket which is a civil infraction. Though it may not seem like a serious charge, a DWLS/DWLR ticket in Michigan can have dramatic consequences both in the long and short term. Amongst those, defendants who are convicted of DWLS will face mandatory driver responsibility fees in the amount of $1,000.00, additional license suspension or revocation and 2 points will be added to the offender’s driving record. In addition, the following penalties can also be imposed:

First Offense, DWLS/DWLR

• Up to a $500 fine, or up to 93 days in jail, or both.

Second Offense, DWLS/DWLR

• Up to a $1,000 fine, or up to 1 year in jail, or both.
• Vehicle may be immobilized for up to 180 days.

Third Offense, DWLS/DWLR

• Up to a $1,000 fine, or up to 1 year in jail, or both.
• If there are 2 prior convictions within 7 years: License plate confiscation & Vehicle immobilization for 90 to 180 days.

We set several goals when retained to represent someone charged with DWLS/DWLR:

• Avoid jail
• Reduction of the charge
• Reduction in points
• Avoidance of additional suspension or revocation

On a typical first offense DWLS case, our office will attempt to persuade the prosecutor to consider an amended offense designed to meet the above mentioned goals. For example, a typical plea bargain may be to the lower offense of “no valid license in possession” or “no-ops.” However, there are other options which can be negotiated such as “allowing an unlicensed person to operate a vehicle” or “impeding traffic”. The benefit for these offenses is that they do not carry any points, are not abstracted on the client’s driving record and will save the offender from getting hit with driver responsibility fees.

Essentially, getting professional help for a DWLS charge in Michigan is a question of economics. With reductions you will save money and points, bottom line. Alternatively, those who choose either not to deal with these charges or do so inadequately can end up in a vortex of unpaid tickets, State fees, and eventually further license action. The Abdo Law Firm handles driving while license suspended cases in all of the Macomb and Oakland County Courts. Call today for a free consultation.