Indianapolis Driving on a Suspended License Lawyer

Maybe you had too many license points within two years and received the suspension, or maybe you failed to take a class that would have saved you from having a revoked license. You might also have been convicted of a crime and the courts took your license away. Whatever the reason behind it, you now have to move through life without the privilege to drive.

As inconvenient as it might be to not be able to drive, it is crucial you obey the law and stay away from the wheel. As much as you might want to risk it, so you can get to work or go to the grocery store, the penalties for driving under a suspended license are not worth it.

Receiving Notice of a Suspended License in Indiana

In order to be found guilty of driving on a suspended license, you must have received notice that your license was suspended or revoked. For instance, the suspension of your license might have been part of a court order. The final judgment would be your notice.

You may have received a letter in the mail from the DMV giving you notice after accumulating too many license points. You might also have learned of your driver’s license suspension after being pulled over by a police officer for another reason.

Consequences for Driving with a Suspended License

The first time you are pulled over on a suspended license is an infraction. This is not a criminal charge so you cannot go to jail for it. You will be responsible for either contesting the ticket or paying the fine of up to $10,000. You also face another license suspension of between 90 days and 2 years.

To contest the ticket you would need to prove your license was not suspended at the time you were driving or was wrongly suspended.

First Offense Driving With a Suspended License After The Notice

If you are caught driving under a suspended license within 10 years after having been given proper notice of the revocation, as a ticket or as part of a judgment for a crime, you’ll be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. This is a criminal charge, not a minor traffic ticket.

When you’re charged with driving on a suspended license, you will be given a summons to appear in court. You are required to come to court on this date and you should speak with an attorney about representing you. You will either plead guilty and your defense attorney can negotiate a minimum punishment, or your attorney will represent you in pleading innocent to the crime.

The punishment for a Class A misdemeanor is up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Causing Injury While Driving on a Suspended License

If you are in an car accident and cause a serious injury to or kill someone while you have a suspended license, you will be charged with a Class D or Class C felony.

A Class D felony in punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine, while a Class C felony is punishable by up to 8 years in prison and a similar fine.

It is also possible to have your license suspended for an additional period of time, including up to two years.

Habitual Offender Status

If you are caught driving on a suspended license multiple times within a 10-year period, you can be classified as a habitual offender and can face more serious consequences. You can be charged with a Class D felony, and you are more likely to be sentenced to the maximum punishment.