Charged With Driving While Suspended in Silver Spring? Here’s What You Need to Know.
A Driving While Suspended charge in Silver Spring or anywhere in Montgomery County can create serious problems for your license, job, insurance, and criminal record. In many cases, drivers didn’t even know their license was suspended until they were pulled over. Missed MVA mail, unpaid tickets, old out-of-state issues, or previous court matters can all lead to unexpected suspensions.
At the Law Offices of David R. Waranch, we help drivers across Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington, Takoma Park, White Oak, and the surrounding Montgomery County area fix their license problems and protect their future. Our primary goal is simple: restore your license and defend you in court — fast.
If your case also involves Driving While Revoked, we defend that as well. Revoked license charges are even more serious, and we handle both issues together when needed.
Why Was Your License Suspended?
Maryland suspends driver’s licenses for many different reasons, and the exact reason for your suspension determines your defense strategy. We start by confirming the exact cause and then guide you through fixing it before court whenever possible.
Common suspension causes include:
- Forgetting to pay a traffic ticket
- Missing a required court date
- Accumulating too many MVA points
- DUI/DWI administrative suspensions
- Medical suspensions from the MVA
- Old out-of-state violations you never knew about
Many Silver Spring drivers never received the suspension notice because the MVA mailed it to an outdated address. This is often one of the strongest defenses available in court.
Driving While Suspended is usually charged under one of two Maryland statutes:
- §16-303(c) — the major suspension charge
- §16-303(h) — administrative suspension (less serious)
Officers often charge the more serious version even when it does not apply. We frequently get this corrected immediately to reduce the penalties you face.
Penalties for Driving While Suspended in Maryland
If charged under §16-303(c):
- Up to 1 year in jail (2 years for repeat offenders)
- $1,000 fine
- 12 MVA points
- Additional license suspension time
- Insurance increases
If charged under §16-303(h):
- Fine up to $500
- 3 MVA points
- Possible insurance increases
Even the “less serious” version can impact your job, background checks, and future driving privileges. Acting quickly gives you the best chance of a favorable outcome.
If not handled correctly, a suspended license issue can escalate into Driving While Revoked, which is much more serious.
You May Have a Strong Defense — Many Drivers Do Not Know They Were Suspended
The State must prove that you knew about your suspension — and in many cases, they can’t.
Examples of valid “lack of knowledge” defenses include:
- MVA mailed suspension notices to an old address
- You paid the ticket, but the court failed to report it
- Suspensions from old out-of-state issues you were never told about
We pull your official MVA driving record, review errors, and identify reinstatement opportunities. In many Silver Spring cases, this leads to reductions, PBJ, or dismissals.
How a Silver Spring Suspended License Lawyer Can Help
We handle suspended license cases throughout Montgomery County every day. As a Montgomery County traffic lawyer, our focus is simple — fix your license, reduce your charges, and protect your record.
- Confirm the exact reason for the suspension
- Guide you through reinstating your license
- Challenge the legality of the traffic stop
- Argue lack of knowledge when appropriate
- Negotiate reductions or amended charges
- Appear in Silver Spring District Court on your behalf
Many clients avoid jail and avoid permanent convictions by addressing the suspension before court. Our experience as a Maryland traffic violation lawyer allows us to coordinate license restoration and court defense effectively.
Related Traffic Offenses We Handle
Serving Silver Spring & the Surrounding Montgomery County Area
We handle Driving While Suspended cases for drivers in:
- Silver Spring
- Wheaton
- Takoma Park
- Kensington
- White Oak
- Hillandale
- Four Corners
- Surrounding Montgomery County communities
We also serve Maryland drivers facing suspended license charges in:
- Baltimore City
- Catonsville
- Ellicott City
- Essex
- Glen Burnie
- Hyattsville
- Towson
- Upper Marlboro
- Frederick
If your location isn’t listed, reach out — if it’s in Maryland, we likely handle it.
Fix Your License Before Court — Get Help Today
You don’t have to face a suspended license charge alone. The sooner you act, the more options you have.
Call 301-563-9575 or visit www.davidwaranch.com for a free consultation with an experienced Maryland traffic defense lawyer.
Law Offices of David R. Waranch — Maryland Traffic Defense. We’ve Got Your Back.
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