I Got A DWLS When I Was Unaware Of The Suspension

**tehcomputerlad** · 03-31-2008, 05:44 PM

first of all hello and thanks for your time.
well i live in Michigan and i am 18. recently i got pulled over for doing 47 in a 35 a normal civil infraction. the officer also reported that that i was driving on a suspended license. i had no clue or i would not have been driving at all

i researched that the reason for the suspension was that i failed to show up for a reevaluation from a previous speeding ticket that i got while i was 17.( in Michigan if you get a moving violation while being a minor you must go for a reevaluation of your license.) this notice was mailed to my old address that i no longer live at so i had no knowledge that i was even mailed it. since i never scheduled the reevaluation they suspended my license. and i had no clue that it was suspended when i was pulled over as stated in the beginning. this makes me very worried because i have a job and i am gong to collage and need a car to commute between the two.
i need help and any would be greatly appreciated.
thanks~ a worried teen

**cksherer** · 03-31-2008, 06:50 PM

I'm sure you were told about reevaluation when you went to court or paid your fine for your first speeding ticket? I also believe you are responsible to keep them updated on your new address. You need to go to the DMV and court to find out how to reinstate your license.

**tehcomputerlad** · 03-31-2008, 08:32 PM

i paid online for the ticket and never got anything by email or standard mail

**aaron** · 04-01-2008, 04:26 AM

A common approach: Take care of the suspension (to the best of your ability), take your proof with you to court (proof of payment of all outstanding assessments, the reinstatement fee, etc.), and then try to convince the prosecutor that you didn't know that the license was suspended. It's a criminal charge, so I suggest consulting a criminal defense lawyer or thinking about requesting a court-appointed lawyer.

Are you in "driver responsibility fee" territory yet? (Six points or more?) If so, talk to your lawyer about that as well - the cost of those fees may make your lawyer look cheap.