FRAIBERG & PERNIE
Yes.
Driving While License Suspended (DWLS), Driving While License Revoked (DWLR), and Driving While License Denied are generally criminal misdemeanor offenses under Michigan law.
Many drivers mistakenly believe DWLS is simply a traffic ticket.
It is not.
A conviction may result in:
Jail
Fines
Additional suspension periods
Driver’s license points
Vehicle immobilization
Increased insurance costs
Criminal record consequences
However, many DWLS and DWLR cases involve legal, factual, or administrative issues that may significantly affect the outcome.
Michigan criminal defense attorney Matthew A. Fraiberg and Fraiberg & Pernie represent individuals charged with suspended-license and revoked-license offenses throughout Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Southeast Michigan.
Driving While License Suspended (DWLS)
Driving While License Revoked (DWLR)
Driving While License Denied
No Valid Operator’s License
License Restriction Violations
MCL 257.904
Criminal Misdemeanor
Criminal Record
Additional Suspension Time
Fines
Driver’s License Points
Insurance Increases
Vehicle Immobilization
Matthew A. Fraiberg
More than 28 Years
Former City Prosecutor
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney Since 1997
Matthew A. Fraiberg is a Michigan criminal defense attorney, former prosecutor, DUI lawyer, license-related defense attorney, and managing partner of Fraiberg & Pernie.
For more than 28 years, he has represented individuals facing:
DWLS Charges
DWLR Charges
DUI and OWI Cases
License Restoration Matters
Probation Violations
Criminal Traffic Offenses
His experience includes extensive representation in district courts throughout Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Southeast Michigan.
A suspension is generally temporary.
The Secretary of State restricts driving privileges for a defined reason or period of time.
Common causes include:
Unpaid tickets
Missed court appearances
Insurance-related issues
Failure to satisfy court requirements
Certain traffic offenses
A revocation is generally more serious.
The driver’s license is terminated rather than temporarily restricted.
Common reasons include:
Multiple DUI convictions
Habitual offender status
Serious traffic violations
Repeated driving offenses
License restoration frequently requires additional legal steps before driving privileges can be reinstated.
Many drivers do not realize their license has become suspended.
Common reasons include:
Outstanding obligations may trigger suspension-related consequences.
Failure to appear may affect driving privileges.
Alcohol-related driving offenses frequently create licensing consequences.
Insurance-related issues may affect license status.
Administrative issues can sometimes lead to suspension.
Certain violations may create additional restrictions or penalties.
DWLS is generally charged as a criminal misdemeanor offense.
Knowledge and notice issues sometimes become important legal questions, but they do not automatically eliminate liability.
Correcting the suspension can help, but it does not automatically resolve a criminal charge.
Michigan law permits jail penalties in certain suspended-license cases, particularly repeat offenses.
Administrative records occasionally contain errors, inaccuracies, or issues that deserve closer review.
Most suspended-license cases follow a similar path.
An officer conducts a stop and discovers a suspension or revocation.
A criminal charge is issued.
The court formally advises the defendant of the charge.
The underlying suspension history is evaluated.
Police reports, Secretary of State records, and administrative documentation are reviewed.
Potential legal issues are identified and negotiations may occur.
The case proceeds to trial or resolution.
To obtain a conviction, prosecutors generally must establish several legal elements.
The defendant operated a motor vehicle.
The license was suspended, revoked, or denied.
The driver knew or reasonably should have known about the license status.
The alleged offense occurred within the court’s jurisdiction.
If required elements cannot be established, obtaining a conviction becomes more difficult.
Driving records frequently become the most important evidence.
Reports describe the traffic stop and allegations.
Administrative records may affect the validity of the charge.
Prior proceedings sometimes influence licensing status.
Whether proper notice was provided may become a relevant issue.
Many people assume a criminal charge remains fixed after issuance.
That is not always true.
Cases sometimes improve because of:
Administrative errors
Incorrect driving records
Notice issues
Evidentiary weaknesses
Corrected license issues
Legal challenges
Negotiated resolutions
Each case depends on its specific facts and circumstances.
Many drivers focus only on the current criminal charge.
However, a conviction may also affect:
Future restoration eligibility
Secretary of State proceedings
Restricted license requests
Driving record history
Insurance costs
Because of these consequences, suspended-license cases often involve both criminal and licensing considerations.
A conviction may affect:
Driving privileges
Employment opportunities
Professional licensing
Commercial driving opportunities
Insurance premiums
Future license restoration efforts
For many individuals, the consequences extend well beyond the courtroom.
“Many suspended-license cases begin with administrative issues that drivers do not fully understand.”
“Correcting the underlying licensing issue often becomes an important part of defense strategy.”
“A complete driving-record review frequently reveals issues that deserve closer examination.”
“Drivers are often surprised to learn that DWLS is generally a criminal offense rather than a simple ticket.”
“Whether a person received proper notice sometimes becomes an important issue.”
“Administrative records can become just as important as police reports.”
“The reason for the suspension often affects the options available moving forward.”
“A suspended-license conviction may affect much more than a person’s ability to drive.”
“Correcting underlying licensing problems often improves resolution opportunities.”
“Understanding why the license became suspended is often the first step in building a defense strategy.”
Sometimes.
Eligibility depends on:
The reason for suspension
Prior driving history
Secretary of State requirements
Court obligations
Compliance history
Restricted licenses may permit driving for:
Employment
School
Medical Appointments
Court Obligations
Treatment Programs
Some restrictions may involve ignition interlock requirements.
Generally, yes.
Some cases may qualify for reduced or non-criminal resolutions.
Certain cases involve administrative, evidentiary, or legal issues that may affect the outcome.
Not necessarily. Outcomes depend on the facts, prior record, and circumstances involved.
Potentially. Criminal convictions may affect employment opportunities and background checks.
Some professional licensing boards consider criminal convictions.
Notice issues sometimes become important factual questions.
Resolving the underlying issue may improve available options.
Criminal convictions may appear on certain background checks.
Yes. Convictions may affect insurance rates.
Eligibility depends on the specific circumstances and applicable law.
The reason for driving may not automatically eliminate liability, but it may become part of the overall case evaluation.
Emergency circumstances should be evaluated based on the facts of the case.
Because DWLS generally carries criminal and licensing consequences, many individuals seek legal representation.
Fraiberg & Pernie regularly represents individuals in:
48th District Court
47th District Court
44th District Court
52-1 District Court
52-2 District Court
52-3 District Court
52-4 District Court
36th District Court
17th District Court
18th District Court
19th District Court
16th District Court
41A District Court
41B District Court
42-1 District Court
Understanding local court procedures can be an important part of case strategy.
People frequently seek Matthew Fraiberg because of:
More than 28 years of criminal defense experience
Former prosecutor background
Experience handling DWLS and DWLR charges
Experience with license restoration issues
Familiarity with district courts throughout Southeast Michigan
Evidence-focused defense strategies
Criminal traffic defense experience
If you have been charged with Driving While License Suspended, Driving While License Revoked, or another license-related offense in Michigan, early legal guidance may be important.
Fraiberg & Pernie provides:
Immediate case evaluation
Driving-record review
Strategic defense planning
Representation throughout Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Southeast Michigan
Call (248) 986-2682 to schedule a confidential consultation.
Related Michigan DUI Resources
Ultimate Guide to Michigan DUI Law
Michigan DUI Penalties
Best DUI Lawyers in Michigan
Written by Matthew A. Fraiberg
Michigan Criminal Defense Attorney
28+ years experience
Fill out the information below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.