If you have been charged with a DWI with a suspended license, you can generally expect a stiff sentence. In most states this means a mandatory jail sentence, and certainly needs the skills of a dedicated DWI lawyer.
The fact that you will be charged in any case due to your driving (with or without drink) with a suspended license is immaterial: the DWI charge compounds the problem, and you could even two codes. You could be jailed, face a heavy fine and lose your license for an time. The sentencing here is up to the court. If you are fortunate, then part of time could be traded for a period of probation, though ten years probation with this type not unusual.
Now, perhaps, you are beginning to understand the gravity of this offense, and to face this without the services of the best DWI attorney experienced in this kind of charge would be tantamount to suicide. You probably feel suicidal in any case, but don't despair. A good DWI lawyer can help you more than you think, and help to reduce the sentencing by presenting you as being a bit foolish and unaware of your suspended license.
Whether your license has been suspended or not is immaterial: the prosecution still have to prove their case, and you have the same chance of this failing as the thousands of others who have either been found not guilty after a jury trial or have had their cases thrown out
The latter is more common than you might believe - check it out online. Last year one cop got around 50 cases thrown out because of improper procedure. It might be rare for 50 to occur, but you only need one! A good DUI or DWI lawyer can sniff these out like a thought that can help you sleep at night.
However, the reality of the situation is that if your license was suspended for a previous DWI or DUI conviction, you are in real trouble. There's no pussyfooting over it: sentencing can be grim. You have problems, and you need really a good A lawyer who can use his or her knowledge of the law and make the prosecution you were the driver, and not merely a passenger, and that you were aware of the license had been suspended: can they prove that you actually received notification of the fact? Finally, actually suspended or revoked.