Criminal Defense
Since 1993
Since 1993
Driving on a Suspended License in Orlando? Why This “Simple” Charge Can Land You in Jail
Driving While License Suspended (DWLS) is one of the most common crimes in Florida. Police hand out these criminal charges like candy, and because they are so common, many people dangerously underestimate them.
Depending on your record, a DWLS can be a misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail, or it can be a felony punishable by five years in prison. These charges snowball, getting more serious each time. You want to attack this problem as quickly and aggressively as possible.
A Stern Warning from a Central Florida Courtroom
Still think a DWLS charge is “no big deal?” Let me tell you about a judge right here in Central Florida. She will give almost everyone who pleads guilty to this misdemeanor crime 30 days in the county jail. It is unbelievable, but it happens every week. People walk into her courtroom without an attorney, thinking they can just handle it themselves, and they do not walk out. They leave in handcuffs while the Department of Children and Families has to come get their kids from the courthouse hallway. It becomes a big mess.
Facing a DWLS Charge in Central Florida? Don’t walk into that courtroom alone and risk your freedom. Call my office before your court date to protect yourself. Call John Guidry: (407) 423-1117
How We Defend a Driving While License Suspended Charge
The good news is that these charges are very fixable. Our defense strategy is twofold:
1. Challenging the “Knowledge” Element: To convict you, the State must prove that you knew your license was suspended. If the DMV sent the suspension notice to an old address and you never received it, you have not committed a crime.
2. Attacking the Underlying Suspension: The real key to resolving a DWLS case is often to fix the problem that caused the suspension in the first place. This is where a deep dive into your driving record becomes critical.
Your First Step: Let’s Analyze Your Driving Record
Here is what you need to do when you get a DWLS citation:
- Go online or to the DMV and get a copy of your full, lifetime driving record.
- Bring that record to an experienced attorney. I will go over that thing with a fine-tooth comb to see what we can fix.
The goal is to determine if we can either get your license reinstated now or prove that the suspension itself was not valid. You may think it’s impossible. But after defending these cases since 1993, I have found ways to get a license back for clients who told me there was no way. You may be right, but let me try!
A lot of these charges are fixable, but it requires immediate, strategic action. If your case is in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Lake, Brevard, or Volusia County, call my office. Let’s get a look at that driving record and start building your defense. I wish you luck on your case.
If you’re ready for more information on driving while license suspended, but you’re sick of reading, here’s a video that takes a deeper dive: “Driving While License Suspended, Revoked, or Cancelled.”
About the Author, John Guidry II
John Guidry II is a seasoned criminal defense attorney and founder of the Law Firm of John P. Guidry II, P.A., located in downtown Orlando next to the Orange County Courthouse, where he has practiced for over 30 years. With more than three decades of experience defending clients throughout Central Florida since 1993, Guidry has successfully defended thousands of cases in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Brevard, Lake, and Volusia counties. He has built a reputation for his strategic approach to criminal defense, focusing on pretrial motions and case dismissals rather than jury trials.
Guidry earned both his Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration from St. Louis University in 1993. He is a member of the Florida Bar and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of Florida state criminal charges, with a particular emphasis on achieving favorable outcomes through thorough pretrial preparation and motion practice.
Beyond the courtroom, Guidry is a prolific legal educator who has authored over 400 articles on criminal defense topics. He shares his legal expertise through his popular YouTube channel, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, where he has built a substantial following of people eager to learn about the law. His educational content breaks down complex legal concepts into accessible information for the general public.
When not practicing law, Guidry enjoys tennis and pickleball, and loves to travel. Drawing from his background as a former recording studio owner and music video producer in the Orlando area, he brings a creative perspective to his legal practice and continues to apply his passion for video production to his educational content.