Traffic Violations in Chicago, IL

Traffic Violation Attorney in Chicago, IL

Speeding offenses, driving on a suspended license, and other traffic offenses can have a halting effect on your driving privileges. If you've received a ticket for speeding, depending on your speed, you could even face a criminal conviction. Many people make the mistake of simply pleading guilty of their offense and paying the fee online. There many ways to challenge the offense, negotiate for a dismissal, ask for an offense to be amended, and other ways that would preserve your driving privileges. Call our firm today to discuss your options.

How Traffic Violations Happen 

Traffic violations often occur as a result of everyday driving mistakes, misunderstandings, or even errors in enforcement. Speeding, failing to signal, rolling through a stop sign, or parking in a restricted area are just a few examples of actions that can lead to citations. In Chicago, where heavy traffic and complex regulations are part of daily life, it’s easy to unintentionally violate traffic laws. 

Additionally, law enforcement officers occasionally issue tickets based on misinterpretations or incorrect observations. For instance, radar devices used to measure speed can produce inaccurate readings, leading to unjust citations. Whether you believe the violation was issued fairly or not, hiring a speeding violation lawyer or traffic ticket lawyer in Chicago ensures that you have a knowledgeable advocate on your side to challenge or mitigate the charges. 

Consequences of Traffic Violations in Chicago 

Traffic violations may seem minor, but the consequences can escalate quickly, especially if you accumulate multiple offenses. These penalties can impact not only your finances but also your ability to drive and maintain a clean record. 

The immediate consequence of most traffic violations is a fine. Depending on the severity of the offense, these fines can range from small amounts to substantial sums. While fines may appear manageable, they often come with hidden costs, such as surcharges and fees, which can add up quickly. 

Illinois uses a point system to track traffic violations. Each infraction adds a specific number of points to your driving record, and accumulating too many points can result in license suspension. For example, speeding, reckless driving, or failure to obey traffic signals can lead to significant point accumulation. A Chicago traffic violation attorney can help prevent points from being added to your record by negotiating reduced charges or fighting the ticket in court. 

Traffic violations almost always result in higher insurance premiums. Insurance companies view drivers with violations as higher-risk clients, which can lead to increased rates that last for years. By working with Chicago traffic violation defense attorneys, you may be able to minimize or avoid these long-term financial burdens. 

Serious violations, such as excessive speeding or driving without insurance, can lead to license suspension or revocation. Losing your license can make it difficult to maintain employment, attend school, or meet personal obligations. A skilled Chicago IL traffic attorney can help you fight these charges to protect your driving privileges. 

Charged with Speeding in Chicago, IL?

Speeding in General

Lets face it, most of us speed. Whether we’re late for work, late for our kids soccer game or just enjoying a nice summer day, our foot gets a little heavy. Police officers are of course diligent in ticketing drivers who go over the speed limit. There are multiple ways a police officer can detect your speed. In most common scenarios, the officer is able to detect your speed with a radar. The officer can also be traveling behind you and pace you, or in other words travel at the same speed you are traveling and determine your speed from the officers speedometer. In any case, these methods are not always 100% accurate.

Petty Speeding in Chicago

If you are charged with speeding for going 25 miles per hour or less over the speed limit, you will be charged with a petty speeding offense. Petty speeding is only punishable by a fine and/or traffic safety school. In most situations, a person can be eligible for court supervision. You are only eligible for up to two supervisions within a 12 month time period. Supervision does not have an impact on your driving privileges nor points on your insurance. However, once you are no longer eligible for supervision, you will receive a conviction. Multiple convictions can suspend your driving privileges and raise insurance rates. It is important to note that there are some speeding offenses that are petty but require additional high fines. For example, a Scott’s Law violation (failing to change lanes when approaching an emergency vehicle) can require a minimum of $500.00 plus court assessments. In many cases we can negotiate with the State to avoid minimum fines.

Aggravated Speeding in Chicago

Aggravated Speeding is a great deal more serious than petty speeding. If a person is traveling 26 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will be charged with a Class B misdemeanor which is a criminal offense and carries with it potential jail time. This of course depends on your driving history, the circumstances in the case, and other factors. In fact, the law imposes a maximum jail sentence of 180 days in jail for Aggravated Speeding, going 26MPH and over. If a person is traveling 35 miles per hour over the speed limit, they will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, a more severe criminal offense. The law can impose a maximum jail sentence of 364 days in jail for speeding in excess of 35MPH over the speed limit. In many cases, our traffic violation lawyer are able negotiate with the prosecutors to change the ticket so that you are no longer charged with a criminal offense at all. Call our firm to discuss your options.

Penalties of Aggravated Speeding in Chicago

Under Illinois law, if a person travels 26 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, they could be charged with a Class B misdemeanor carrying with it a possible punishment up to 180 days in jail and heavy fines. If a person travels 35 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, a person could face a Class A misdemeanor carrying a possible sentence up to 364 days in jail and heavy fines.