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The Chicago Suspended License Lawyers
Driving on a Suspended License in IL
Driving on a suspended or revoked license in Illinois is a criminal offense. It often results in an arrest and an ongoing criminal case.
Although the charges seem pretty straight-forward, the resolution to the case can be quite complex. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is one of those cases that can cause you to get caught up in the legal system and never let you out.
If you are caught driving with a suspended driver’s license in Chicago, you have a high risk of being arrested. While there are numerous police and Sheriff’s departments who might execute a traffic stop on your vehicle, all departments utilize the same Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS), an online database, which provides the status of your driver’s license.
If you are charged with driving with a suspended license (DWLS) there is no requirement for the offense, meaning, you can be charged with DWLS and not even know, or have intended, to do it. DWLS is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries with it a maximum penalty, on a first time offense, of 364 days in the Cook County Department of Corrections, a fine of up to $2,500, or some combination of both. Due to the possible penalties of jail time, for this offense, judges will require you to obtain the services of a license suspension attorney.
Reasons for Suspension or Revocation
The reasons for your suspension or revocation can impact the outcome of your case. If it is possible to clear your license while the case is ongoing, it is highly recommended to do so. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office can suspend your license for various reasons. Some of them include:
Failure to pay for tickets issued by a police officer.
5 or more unpaid tollway tickets
5 or more unpaid parking or camera tickets
Family responsibility or child support
Failure to appear in court
Civil judgements for uninsured accidents
Failure to have car insurance or SR-22 insurance when required
Refusing a breathalyzer test
Blowing over .08 BAC while operating a motor vehicle
Receiving 3 convictions on your record in 1 year (2 if you are under 21)
Failure to pay for tickets issued by a police officer
5 or more unpaid tollway tickets
5 or more unpaid parking or camera tickets
Family responsibility or child support
Failure to appear in court
Civil judgements for uninsured accidents
Failure to have car insurance or SR-22 insurance when required
Refusing a breathalyzer test
Blowing over .08 BAC while operating a motor vehicle
Receiving 3 convictions on your record in 1 year (2 if you are under 21)
Defenses
The State must only prove two things: (1) You were driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle; and that (2) your driver’s license or permit was suspended or revoked at the time.
But this does not mean you are without options. It means that hiring an experienced attorney to defend your case is even more important. Attorneys that defend these cases often have strong relationships in the courtroom that can be a tremendous help to your case.
Penalties
If your driver’s license is suspended or revoked, and you are caught driving in Illinois, the penalties can be severe.
Driving With a Suspended License is a Serious Offense
What happens if you get pulled over with a suspended or revoked license?
When you are pulled over for driving on a suspended or revoked license, you will either be arrested or issued an i-bond. The police may also have your vehicle impounded. You will be required to appear in court.
What does it mean to have a suspended license?
Driving on a suspended license means that you are not legally allowed to drive for a set period of time and/or until issues on your driving record have been cleared up.
How can your license get suspended?
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office can suspend your license for various reasons. Some of them include:
- Failure to pay for tickets issued by a police officer;
- 5 or more unpaid tollway tickets;
- 5 or more unpaid parking or camera tickets;
- Family responsibility or child support;
- Failure to appear in court;
- Civil judgments for uninsured accidents;
- Failing to have car insurance or SR-22 insurance when required;
- Refusing a breathalyzer test;
- Blowing over .08 BAC while operating a motor vehicle; and
- Receiving 3 convictions on your record in one year (2 convictions if you are under 21).
What does it mean to have a revoked license?
When your license is revoked, the Illinois Secretary of State’s office takes away your driving privileges indefinitely. The only way to legally be allowed to drive again is by cleaning up issues on your driving record and successfully completing a Secretary of State Hearing.
How can your license get revoked?
The Illinois Secretary of State can revoke your driving privileges for a conviction on your first DUI, having 2 or more DUI charges, committing a felony in a motor vehicle, falsifying information on a driver’s test at the Secretary of State’s office, having too many points on your Illinois driver’s license, or being caught driving without a license multiple times.
How do I clear my license?
It really depends on the reason it’s suspended or revoked in the first place. That will determine if you can clear and how to do it. If you’re unsure, our office can obtain your Illinois driving abstract and review it for a fee of $62.
Is driving on a suspended or revoked license a traffic or a criminal charge?
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a criminal charge and is different than driving without a valid license.
Is driving on a suspended or revoked license a misdemeanor or a felony?
This really depends. The first time you are pulled over for this it is a misdemeanor. After being caught multiple times driving without a license, the charge can be upgraded to a felony. It’s best to consult with an experienced Chicago traffic
How Past DWLS Charges
Could Affect You
Penalties for DWLS also depends if it is the first time you have been charged with DWLS, or if you have prior citations for DWLS. Typically, a first-time offender for DWLS is eligible for court supervision and community service, along with a possible fine and court costs. After receiving supervision for DWLS, drivers are generally not eligible to receive supervision. If you continue to drive while your license is suspended, and again get ticketed for DWLS, the charge can be upgraded to a Class 4, 2 or 1 felony, which depends on the amount of prior traffic violations and the cause of the suspension. The consequences of being found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony DWLS only get more severe if you have multiple prior charges for DWLS.
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and every side of a case. We bring this training and experience to each and every case.
We understand legal jargon and specific laws might be overwhelming. We will communicate with you in an easy-to-understand way so you know the ins and outs of your case as well as we do.
We respect client-based services. This means we won’t defend your case out of a playbook. We will analyze the specifics of your situation and build a strong defense from there.
With a strong defense, comes great outcomes. We have a proven track record of getting clients the results they need to move forward with their lives.
Frequently Asked Question
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What Are The Consequences Of Getting A Traffic Ticket?
There can be a number of consequences for getting a traffic ticket, including fines, increased insurance rates, and even jail time in some cases. It’s important to always take traffic tickets seriously and to address them as soon as possible. People often overlook how destructive a seemingly small traffic ticket can be to their life.
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How Do I Fight A Traffic Ticket?
You can fight a traffic ticket by going to court and arguing your case in front of a judge. It’s important to have a strong argument and to know the law well before attempting to fight a traffic ticket. Many people choose to hire an attorney to help them with this process. Our license suspension lawyers can advocate for you every step of the way to ensure you don’t suffer the consequences of a traffic ticket.
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What Are Some Common Defenses Against Traffic Tickets?
Some common defenses against traffic tickets include claiming that you were not speeding, that you were not aware of the posted speed limit, or that you were only going a few miles over the limit. It’s important to remember that each case is different, and a strong and experienced lawyer will be able to guide you through the specific defenses available to you.
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What Should I Do If I Get A Traffic Ticket?
If you receive a traffic ticket, the first thing you should do is read it carefully. The ticket will include information about how and when to respond. It’s important to take action on a traffic ticket as soon as possible, or else you could face additional penalties. You can usually respond to a traffic ticket by either paying the fine or going to court to argue your case. The next step after getting a traffic ticket is to contact an experienced traffic ticket lawyer from our law firm to assist you moving forward.
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How Can I Avoid Getting A Traffic Ticket?
There are a few things you can do to help avoid getting a traffic ticket, such as following the rules of the road, obeying speed limits, and using caution when driving in bad weather conditions. You should also be aware of where law enforcement officers are likely to be stationed so that you can avoid speeding or breaking any other traffic laws.
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What Should I Do If I Get Pulled Over For A Traffic Violation?
If you are pulled over for a traffic violation, it is important to remain calm and be respectful to the officer. You will likely be asked to produce your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. The officer may also issue you a ticket or warning. If you receive a ticket, you will have the option to pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. Soon after getting pulled over, you should contact an experienced traffic ticket lawyer from our law firm.
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I Received A Traffic Ticket In Another State. What Should I Do?
If you receive a traffic ticket in another state, you will need to follow the procedures for contesting or paying the ticket in that state. You may be able to pay the fine online or by mail, but you will likely need to appear in court if you want to fight the ticket. Each state has different laws and procedures for handling traffic tickets, so it’s important to research the specific requirements for the state where you received the ticket. An experienced traffic ticket lawyer from our law firm can help you understand and navigate the process.
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Can I Just Pay The Fine For My Traffic Ticket?
In some cases, you can simply pay the fine for your traffic ticket. However, paying the fine means that you are pleading guilty to the charges and will likely face consequences such as increased insurance rates. If you have any questions about your traffic ticket, it is best to contact an attorney from our law firm.
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Can I Go To Jail For A Traffic Ticket?
In some cases, you may be able to go to jail for a traffic ticket. This typically only happens if you have committed a serious traffic violation or if you have failed to appear in court after being issued a ticket. If you are facing the possibility of jail time, it is important to contact an attorney from our law firm as soon as possible.
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How Can I Find Out More About My Traffic Ticket?
If you have any questions about your traffic ticket, our attorneys can help. We offer free consultations so that we can review your case and answer any questions you may have. Simply give us a call or fill out our online form to get started. We look forward to hearing from you soon.