Driving While License Suspended (DWLS)

Driving While License SuspendedIf you've been charged with driving while your license is suspended, you're not alone.

One of the most common criminal cases is a DWLS charge. There are three different degrees of DWLS, with 1°being the most serious and 3° being the least. The different degrees are based on the reason why your license is suspended.

The first step in dealing with any type of DWLS charge is getting yourself validly licensed again.  Unfortunately, that is not always possible, and sometimes you do not know why your license was suspended.  If you have not been able to get the Department of Licensing to clarify your license status to you, we are more than happy to discuss your situation with you.

DWLS 1° is a gross misdemeanor, which means the maximum penalty is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. While the maximum is not normally given to individuals, there is a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail with a conviction and a-one year license suspension that is added to your current suspension. So, for example, if you were originally eligible to get your license back in 6 months, after this conviction, you will not be eligible for 18 months.

DWLS 2° is also a gross misdemeanor, but there is no mandatory 10 days in jail with a conviction. Unfortunately, a conviction also comes with a one-year license suspension, which will be added to your current suspension.  There are many reasons why your license would be suspended in the 2°, some of which include: a MIP conviction.

DWLS 3° is the most common charge. It is a misdemeanor, which means the maximum penalty is 90 days in jail and a$1,000 fine. DWLS 3° normally means that you are eligible for reinstatement now, except for one last obligation that you must complete (normally financial in nature). Examples include owing the court money on tickets, failing to respond to a ticket, being involved in an accident without insurance and owing money to the other driver, and even owing money on child support.

If you're facing DWLS charges, contact our experienced Washington defense attorneys today for the answers you need.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
"Great service and follow up. Its a scary thing when you need a lawyer but Jason and his team make it less so. Very happy with our outcome." Scott Thibeault
★★★★★
"Jason and his team are excellent!! Everyone on the staff is super helpful and always follows up as promised. Jason has continuously gone above and beyond what's expected of him, which really put me at ease and let me know he was there to have my back. He's extremely knowledgeable of the law, has tons of experience, and make sure he takes the time to get the best outcome possible. Things would have been much worse for me without Jason's help." Jesse H.
★★★★★
"Jason Newcombe is an excellent attorney. He is professional, well-spoken and intent on achieving the goals set out during his initial counseling. If you are looking for an attorney to best represent you throughout your court process, Mr. Newcombe is a gifted rhetoric who presents his cases flawlessly and dedicates the entirety of his free time into making sure his clients receive the best possible outcome." G. S.
★★★★★
"Jason Newcombe and his Associate's are all top notch individuals who will fight tooth and nail for you and go the distance to ensure that you receive the best outcome possible on your case. I would not be where I am today if not for the Law offices of Jason Newcombe." Eric Brandt
★★★★★
"From start to finish with the DUI process Jason Newcombe's office has been more than helpful, friendly, honest and respectful.From the beginning, Jason was on our side and fighting our battle with us. He flat out laid out our options honestly and gave us his opinion on which was the best way to go, but never made the decision for us. Jason is very professional yet personable. We are completely satisfied with our end result. Couldn't ask for a better lawyer to be on your side." Christina P.
View More
Submit a Law Firm Client Review