Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) in Federal Way

Have you recently been pulled over and caught driving while your license was suspended? In Washington state, this is considered a criminal offense that happens when you operate a motor vehicle with a driver’s license that has been suspended or revoked.

The suspension is usually due to prior violations like unpaid traffic tickets, failure to appear in court, DUI convictions, or accumulating too many driving infractions. The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) enforces these suspensions, and driving while suspended is considered a serious violation. In Federal Way, it is an offense that is prosecuted following Washington state statutes.

There are different degrees of DWLS in Federal Way, which we will go into more detail about below. These offenses are categorized based on the severity of the suspension and the underlying cause. DWLS in the first degree has more to do with habitual traffic offenders, while DWLS in the third degree is the least severe of all.

Being charged with DWLS in Federal Way has legal and administrative consequences you will have to deal with. Beyond the fines and possible jail time, you may also find it challenging to reinstate your driving privileges. A conviction can also impact your insurance rates and even employment opportunities, especially if driving is a part of your job.

Given the high stakes of these charges, you want to seek the assistance of someone who is well-versed in Washington’s traffic laws and can work to minimize the impact of your conviction and help you navigate all the complexities.

In Washington state, the laws that govern these charges are outlined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). You will find provisions discussing the severity of the charges, the penalties, and the specific circumstances in which your driver’s license may be suspended for even longer.

• RCW 46.20.342: This outlines a DWLS in the first degree, which is when you choose to drive while your license is suspended because of a conviction for a serious offense like a DUI or when you are considered a habitual offender. First-degree DWLS charges are considered a gross misdemeanor and are punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.
• RCW 46.20.342(2): This part of the statute applies to someone who drives while their license is suspended for reasons like failing to pay fines or appear in court. This is classified as a misdemeanor as well and can result in up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
• RCW 46.20.342 (3): This outlines a DWLS in the third degree, which is considered the least of the three offenses and is usually associated with people whose licenses were suspended because of minor infractions, like unpaid parking tickets. While it is also classified as a misdemeanor, the penalties are usually much less severe, like lower fines and shorter jail sentences.
• RCW 46.20.291: This statute talks about all the reasons a driver’s license may be suspended or revoked. Some of the reasons can include but aren’t limited to DUI convictions, failure to pay traffic fines, accumulating too many points on your driving record, or your failure to meet the financial responsibility requirements like failing to maintain car insurance. Once your license is suspended, you must follow the suspension period and meet certain criteria before it can be reinstated.
• RCW 46.65.020: This statute deals with a habitual traffic offender (HTO), a driver who accumulates several traffic violations or convictions within a certain timeframe. This designation often leads to a mandatory license suspension and can also result in first-degree DWLS charges if you are caught driving at any time during your suspension period. HTO-related offenses carry more severe penalties.
• RCW 46.20.385: Under this statute, if you are convicted of a DWLS, you must pay fines and fees and comply with the reinstatement process to regain your driving privileges in Washington. Failure to do so can prolong the suspension or lead to even more charges.

Additionally, the charges become more severe and can bring about much harsher penalties if someone with a suspended or revoked license is involved in more serious offenses like driving after a felony conviction.

Federal Way is a busy city in King County, Washington, that has a very diverse population. It is also near major highways like Interstate 5, so it isn’t uncommon for local law enforcement to come across traffic-related offenses like a DWLS.

Given the city’s continued urban development, police are even more vigilant when it comes to monitoring traffic violations because they are committed to ensuring safety on the roadways. They take an even more proactive approach when it comes to dealing with repeat offenders.

Those caught driving with a suspended license in Federal Way can face significant penalties. Traffic flow and accessibility are so important in Federal Way, so they do everything they can to deter dangerous behaviors while driving and promote a safer environment.

We firmly believe that every DWLS charge can be successfully challenged one way or another. Our attorneys have been defending people facing driving-related offenses throughout Washington for years. If you or a loved one are facing these charges, consult one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys.

A skilled attorney familiar with DWLS charges can provide you with the assistance you need when it comes to examining the finer details of your case, identifying potential defenses, and ensuring that your rights are protected. They can even negotiate on your behalf for reduced charges, advocate for alternative sentencing, and help you on the path toward license reinstatement.

Our Federal Way attorneys are aggressive advocates who are ready to fight for you to minimize the consequences of a license suspension, help you avoid jail time, and work toward regaining your driving privileges.

Driving with a revoked or suspended driver's license in Federal Way is against the law. If you're convicted of this crime you could be punished in a number of ways, so our Federal Way attorneys will help you better understand DWLS (driving while license suspended) law in Washington State.

In Federal Way, there are multiple DWLS charges that are categorized according to the severity of the crime. The nature of the charge will depend upon the circumstances of the original driver's license suspension.

If you are a habitual DWLS offender, and your license was suspended due to a criminal conviction (like DUI), you can be charged with either first or second degree DWLS. If your Washington State driver's license was suspended because of failure to pay a traffic citation or not carrying the proper auto insurance, you can be charged with a third degree misdemeanor DWLS.

Our Federal Way DWLS attorneys have more than thirty years of combined experience, which we will use in an effort to mitigate your penalties. Your Federal Way DWLS lawyers will explain how the law pertains to your crime, so that you can better understand the charges and make better decisions regarding your case. By working together to develop your defense strategy with your personal goals in mind, we can effectively resolve this unfortunate situation.

No matter what DWLS crime you've been charged with, you should give it your immediate attention. Our experienced Federal Way driving while license suspended attorneys are ready to help you deal with these serious charges, so contact our Washington law office today.

If convicted of DWLS in Federal Way, you will likely face jail time and could permanently lose your driver's license. Representation from a qualified legal professional is meant to help you avoid these negative end results. Losing your driver's license could make it impossible to get to and from work, or even pick up your kids from school.

The qualified Federal Way DWLS lawyers at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe will help you deal with the local courts while acting as your personal advocate and trusted advisor. Skillful litigation is often necessary to successfully resolve a case, and you can trust our Federal Way lawyers to treat your situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency.

Schedule a free case evaluation with one of our Federal Way DWLS attorneys today, so that we can start working on your defense. Resolving your case expediently often depends upon getting an ample head start, so call our office today and go over the details of your DWLS charge.

Don't let a Federal Way DWLS conviction cause you to lose your driving privileges, or possibly land you in jail. Contact our Federal Way driving while license suspended lawyers today and let us help you defend your legal interests.