Driving with a suspended license in Seattle is a serious offense that could result in an additional suspension, substantial fines, and even jail time. Our traffic attorneys at Sheed Law Offices understand that these charges often arise when you are trying to get to work, take your children to school, or manage other necessary daily tasks. Whatever your reason for driving, a conviction brings serious consequences, and you deserve to have your rights protected.
In Seattle, the law categorizes the charge of driving while license suspended (DWLS) into three degrees, each with specific elements and penalties. Understanding the degree of the charge is essential to developing an effective defense strategy.
First-degree DWLS is the most serious charge. You can face this charge when the state suspends or revokes your license if convicted of three offenses requiring mandatory license suspension or revocation (under the Revised Code of Washington § 46.65.020(1)). These include driving under the influence (DUI), vehicular homicide, or vehicular assault. This charge can also apply if your license was suspended due to convictions of 20 or more of the moving violations listed in WAC § 308-104-160 within a five-year period.
This is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail, fines up to $5,000, and an additional one-year license suspension beyond your original suspension period. For habitual traffic offenses, the suspension period can be seven years, with options to lift it after four years if you meet certain criteria. The mandatory minimum sentence includes 10 days in jail for a first offense, 90 days for a second offense, and 180 days for third and subsequent offenses.
Second-degree DWLS suspensions often result when paying an unpaid ticket or otherwise using payments is not possible to address the situation. There is a set period of time during which the suspension will be in effect. They are usually associated with DUIs, and often when the Department of Licensing administratively suspends someone’s license for a DUI arrest or where there is a criminal conviction that carries with it a statutorily-defined period of suspension.
If someone drives while their license is suspended in the 2nd Degree, it is usually because they did not have an Ignition Interlock Device, SR-22 insurance, and/or the Restricted License itself, like an Ignition Interlock License. This is a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Conviction will result in an additional one-year license suspension on top of any other suspension.
Third-degree driving with a suspended license is the least serious charge. You face this charge when you drive with a license suspended for failing to pay traffic fines, court fines relating to criminal driving offenses, or sometimes, unpaid child support or accident damage that created a hold on the license. It is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. You can often resolve third-degree charges favorably, and our lawyers at Sheed Law Offices could help you address underlying suspension and negotiate dismissals or reductions of DWLS charges.
Successfully addressing DWLS charges often requires you to resolve the issues that led to your license suspension in Seattle. Taking proactive steps to address those issues could influence prosecutors’ willingness to negotiate favorable outcomes and may affect how the court decides your sentence.
You may need to take specific steps to reinstate your license, depending on the reason for suspension. For financial or administrative suspensions, you may need to pay outstanding fines, resolve traffic tickets, or address child support obligations. For DUI suspensions, you must complete the required suspension or revocation period, install an ignition interlock device, and provide proof of insurance.
For habitual traffic offender suspensions, you must wait out the suspension period and demonstrate improved driving behavior. The team at Sheed Law Offices could guide you through the reinstatement requirements and help you take the necessary steps to restore your driving privileges.
In some cases, you may be eligible for an occupational or restricted license that allows limited driving during your suspension period. These licenses typically permit driving to and from work, school, medical appointments, and other essential activities.
These allow for essentially unrestricted driving as long as someone has the ignition interlock device (IID), SR-22 insurance, and the actual Ignition Interlock Restricted License Document itself.
Driving with a suspended license in Seattle is a complicated charge due to its three degrees of severity. Sheed Law Offices provides experienced criminal defense representation to protect your driving privileges and pursue the best possible outcome, including working toward getting your license reinstated. Schedule a consultation with our defense attorneys to discuss your case today. We take the time to listen to your situation and guide you through the process with empathy.
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