Bill decriminalizes driving with suspended license in Washington

A bill in the Washington State Senate aims to reduce the penalty for driving with a suspended license. Instead of a misdemeanor and jail time — two possible consequences if you are pulled over — the offense would be downgraded to a traffic infraction. The result: a $250 fine.

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“They want to decriminalize it,” said KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson. “The reason for that, they say, is because it’s unfair to poor people and people of color.”

However, some argue that the implementation of the $250 fine would still disproportionately affect those with lower incomes.

“Every single bill with a monetary penalty discriminates against poor people because they can’t afford to pay it as readily as anyone else,” Monson said. “But that doesn’t mean we don’t pass those laws.”

According to a 2017 report from the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, driving with a suspended license is the state’s most commonly charged crime.

“If you have a valid license and insurance, take a look to your left. Take a look to your right. The odds are one of those vehicles will not have both a valid license and insurance,” Monson said.“We’ve got traffic gridlock, and if there’s something that would get illegal vehicles off the roadway, I kind of like that whole concept.”

SB 6189, sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, has gained bipartisan support. However, a hearing on the bill has not yet been scheduled.

Listen to the full conversation on the Dori Monson Show here.