When an individual is cited for an offense related to a license, it can be labeled either a correctable offense or a willful violation. An example of a correctable offense is failing to show proof of having a driver’s license. The driver may be instructed to bring proof to court or verify that he or she has a license in some other manner. Failure to do so could result in fines or other elevated penalties.
Willful offenses occur when an individual drives when he or she has a suspended or revoked license. For instance, a person who drives with a revoked license after a DUI could be taken into custody and charged with a misdemeanor. It could result in jail time or other more serious penalties compared to a correctable offense.
Those who are charged with misdemeanors related to their license may wish to talk to a criminal defense attorney. Legal counsel might defend the charge by arguing that the driver didn’t know that the license was suspended or revoked or that the situation had been resolved previously in a favorable manner.