If your license was suspended due to unpaid tickets, a Driving while Under the Influence (DUI) conviction, or accumulation of points on your driver’s license, being caught behind the wheel can escalate your legal troubles quickly. Many South Florida residents have mentioned how it is crucial to use their vehicle to get around for work, running errands, etc. However, driving a vehicle while your license is suspended can result in a criminal conviction for Driving While License Suspended (DWLS). At Arias and Pereira, PLLC, our experienced criminal defense attorneys understand what’s at stake. Our traffic crime attorneys, Maggie Arias and Eduardo Pereira, have successfully defended clients across South Florida facing charges of DWLS, and work tirelessly to protect our clients’ record, their driver’s license, and their freedom. Contact our Miami Driving While License Suspended attorneys today at (786)360-1366 or click “Contact Us” to schedule a consultation.

Civil vs. Criminal Conviction of DWLS

Under Florida Statute § 322.34, DWLS can be charged in two main ways: as a  criminal offense or as a civil infraction.

Criminal DWLS (With Knowledge)
If you knowingly drive while your license is suspended or revoked, the charge becomes a criminal offense. A first offense is usually a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Prosecutors typically allow those charged with DWLS to correct course and get a valid license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within a window of time to have their DWLS case dismissed. This often requires paying off unpaid traffic tickets, court payments, or child support, and making an appointment with the DMV as soon as possible to get a valid driver’s license.

Civil DWLS (Without Knowledge)
If you’re caught driving with a suspended license without knowing it was suspended, the offense is typically treated as a non-criminal traffic infraction, otherwise known as a civil infraction. Because this would be a civil violation, consequences include payment of a fine and points on your driving record. Multiple civil DWLS citations, however, can eventually lead to more serious consequences, such as a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) designation.