Indiana motorists may face license suspension or revocation for driving without insurance, delinquency on child support, accumulating too many traffic violation points, or numerous other reasons. And if you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you may face criminal charges with the possibility of fines and even jail time.
Some of the more common reasons that a driver's license might be suspended or revoked include:
Repeat traffic offenses can lead to suspension because Indiana uses a point system whereby each violation is assigned a certain number of points. Drivers who accumulate 20 or more points within 24 months face license suspension.
Suspension and revocation periods vary with the circumstances. But once the period expires, you'll typically have to pay a reinstatement fee before you'll be allowed to drive again. Generally, the fees are:
Depending on the situation, you might have to complete additional conditions or requirements before your license is valid again, such as get caught up with child support payments.
Depending on the circumstances, driving on a suspended or revoked license can be an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony.
In many situations, your first charge for driving with a suspended or revoked license will be a class A infraction. A class A infraction carries a fine of up $10,000.
Drivers with a previous violation within 10 years can be charged with a class A misdemeanor. Driving on a suspended license can also be a class A misdemeanor for a first offense if the suspension was imposed for certain crimes. Class A misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $5000.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a level 5 or level 6 felony in some circumstances, such as driving with a suspended or revoked license and being involved in an accident that kills or seriously injures someone.
Level 6 felonies carry up to $10,000 in fines and six months to 2 1/2 years in jail. Anyone convicted of a level 5 felony faces up to $10,000 in fines and one to six years in prison.
In addition to fines and possible jail or prison time, being convicted of driving on a suspended or revoked license will typically lead to an additional suspension time of 90 days to two years.
Consider hiring a lawyer if you are charged with driving after suspension or revocation. You could face fines, imprisonment, and further license suspensions if you are convicted. You may have difficulty keeping a job, going to school, or maintaining insurance. Although the law provides specific penalties for driving after suspension or revocation, your sentence will be shaped by the view your city and court system have of the crime. An attorney who is familiar with these charges in your community will be able to provide you with guidance about your individual case.