Driving Offenses Besides DUI
Common driving offenses include Reckless Driving, Negligent Driving, Hit and Run (Attended and Unattended), Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide, Eluding, and Driving with a Suspended License. Some of these are misdemeanors, and some are gross misdemeanors.
Most people have received a speeding ticket, or at least know of a person who has gotten several. There are an amazing amount of other ways a police officer may cite you for driving offenses. For example, do you know that under Washington law, you are required to have a container for garbage in your car? You may know that it is a traffic infraction to have an open container of alcohol in your care while driving, whatever your age, but did you know it is an entirely separate crime to try and disguise an alcoholic container as something else? Or did you know that according to RCW 46.61.295(1), “U” turns are generally acceptable if the turn can be done safely and without interfering other traffic? Did you know that if you are convicted of reckless driving or racing, you lose your license for 30 days? Now factor in much higher insurance premiums.
The experienced and knowledgeable lawyers at Ashbach Law Offices know these laws and how to defend against them, whether you have been charged with speeding, reckless or negligent driving, failing to yield, or driving without a license or with a suspended license. Ashbach Law Offices, with over 35 years of combined experience, will represent you aggressively to seek dismissal or reduction in your traffic charges, trying to save you from consequences of a conviction.
Driving Without a Suspended License (DWLS) and Habitual Traffic Offenders
If you have a suspended license and are pulled over by a police officer, most likely you will be cited with some form of DWLS. There are three degrees of DLWS, First through Third. Generally, DWLS 3rd is committed when a driver does not have a valid license, but could have gotten a license from the DOL. Generally, DWLS 2nd is committed when a driver does not have a license, and was not eligible to then get a license. Conviction of DWLS 2nd results in addition year suspension of the driver’s license. If a driver meets definition of a “habitual traffic offender” (three or more convictions of serious driving crimes) and is caught driving with a suspended/revoked license, that driver has committed DWLS 1st. Conviction will result in another year’s license suspension, plus a mandatory minimum jail term of ten days. Second conviction for DWLS 1 is mandatory 90 days jail; Third conviction equals mandatory 180 days jail.
As you can see, driving citations and infractions can have large detrimental effects. If you have received such a ticket, call Ashbach Law Offices today.