Driving While Suspended convictions can have serious repercussions including hefty fines, points on your driver’s license, and even jail time, so if you have been charged with DWS, it is important to know the possible penalties and how to handle your charge.
RSMo 302.321(1) defines driving with a suspended or revoked license as follows:
A person commits the crime of driving while revoked if such person operates a motor vehicle on a highway when such person’s license or driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked under the laws of this state or any other state and acts with criminal negligence with respect to knowledge of the fact that such person’s driving privilege has been canceled, suspended, or revoked.
Driving While Suspended is considered a Class A Misdemeanor which carries a fine up to $1,000 and up to one year of imprisonment. Additional Driving While Suspended convictions if they occur within a certain amount of time become a Class D felony, which can lead to up to four years of imprisonment and fines up to $5,000. When a Driving While Suspended charge becomes a felony, minimum amounts of jail time and community service become mandatory, and courts are not permitted to issue Suspended Imposition of Sentences (SIS).
Driving While Suspended convictions also lead to significant consequences from the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). You will receive 12 points on your driver’s license, which equals one year of suspension. This will also lead to increased auto insurance costs. Driving While Suspended convictions stay on your record forever and cannot be expunged.
Since the consequences for a DWS conviction are so severe, you should consider hiring a traffic law attorney to get your charges reduced to a lesser violation.
If you have been charged with Driving While Suspended or Revoked call the traffic ticket lawyers at Traffic Law Stop today! (314) 644-7102.
