Consequences of Driving with a Suspended License

Posted on March 29, 2017
  • Criminal Defense

    • We tend to take our driving privilege for granted up until we lose them. Your driver’s license can be suspended for a number of reasons, such as having too many points on your DMV record, being convicted of a DUI, or failing to appear in court. This can be an extreme inconvenience for most people, so some choose to simply ignore that their license has been suspended and drive anyway. But what happens if you are caught doing that? Let’s look further at the consequences of doing so.

    Criminal Charges

    If you drive with a suspended license due to a criminal conviction, you will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a jail sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to $5,000. However, if you have a suspended license and injure someone while operating your vehicle, you will be charged with a Class D felony, which carries between six months and three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 as consequences.

    Additional Suspension

    In addition to the criminal charges, driving with a suspended license will further extend your license suspension. For minor offenses (usually misdemeanors) you will likely receive at least an additional 90 days, but a judge can add up to another two years at their discretion, usually dependent on the circumstances of your case.

    Reinstating Your License

    Some people are unaware that the end of your suspension period does not necessarily mean that you are free to start driving again. Before you can get back behind the wheel, you will need to have your license reinstated at your local BMV office by completing any additional requirements and paying the reinstatement fee. The exact fee will vary based on the reason for your suspension, and how many times your license has been suspended in the past.

    If you are facing charges of driving on a suspended license, consult a Noblesville criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible and allow them to help you through your case. At Baldwin, Kyle, & Kamish, P.C., Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience and have handled numerous license suspension affairs. We are proud to have the only two attorneys in the state of Indiana to be named Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists by the National Board of Trial Advocacy on our staff, which demonstrates our dedication to superior client service and exceptional skill both in and out of the courtroom.