One of the most insidious charges in the New Jersey traffic code is Driving on a Suspended License. This is because a conviction will stay on your record forever, and the punishments get worse every time they get you!
Fines Get Higher
The fines can be quite a bite out of your bank account, even with a first offense, so that alone is a reason not to get convicted of this charge. The fines go up as follows:
- First Offense: $500
- Second Offense: $750
- Third (Subsequent) Offense: $1,000
But if you are caught driving while suspended (DWS) for drunk driving, the fines are even worse!
- First Offense DWS on a First Offense DUI: $500 additional!
- First Offense DWS on a Second or Subsequent DUI: Up to $10,000!!
- Second or Subsequent Offense on a First Offense DUI: Up to $10,000
Then You Go to Jail!
So to answer the question, yes, you can go to jail for a Driving While Suspended ticket in New Jersey. There is no incarceration for a first offense not on a DUI suspension, but on a second offense you could get up to 5 days in jail, and on a third or subsequent offense (lifetime!), you get a flat 10 days in jail.
But wait, it gets worse! If you were driving on a license that was suspended for a DUI, the penalties are enhanced, as you saw with the fines. For a first offense DWS on a first offense DUI, there are 10 to 90 days in jail. For a first offense DWS on a second or subsequent DUI, it is a crime (felony) and you face 6 to 18 months in jail! Plus you have a criminal record!
A Vicious Cycle of License Suspensions
The problem with a Driving While Suspended conviction is that it can add an additional suspension of up to 180 days, which would start to run after you complete your current suspension! So not only are you punished for driving on the current suspension, you get another one put on top of it. As you can see, this can easily spiral out of control if you keep getting caught.
So What Do I Do?
If you have been ticketed for driving while suspended in New Jersey, you are facing serious consequences that may be avoidable. You need to get an attorney to represent you and keep things from getting out of control.
So i you got your ticket in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem or Cumberland County, please call me right away at 856-432-4113 or contact me through this site to schedule an appointment for a free consultation in my Woodbury office. If you are out of state or out of the area, this can be done by phone.
If you are looking for more information on New Jersey's traffic laws, then download my free book, A Guide to Driving Legally in NJ, and Surviving Traffic Court If You Don't.
Related Topics
If you liked this information and found it useful, then you might like or need these others:
