Chicago Traffic Ticket Lawyer

A traffic ticket can be trouble, especially if your license is at risk. Protect your finances and your driving privileges. Seek out a Chicago traffic lawyer for help with your ticket. The traffic ticket lawyers from Chicago Trusted Attorneys are the best at what they do. They have the dismissed ticket success rate to prove it.

When you see flashing lights in the rearview mirror, you might feel immediately frustrated by the situation. You may now have received a traffic ticket in Chicago, and that can leave you struggling with the short-term and long-term costs of a ticket.

Fortunately, you don’t have to accept a traffic ticket in Chicago. Perhaps you believe the officer was mistaken, and you want to protect yourself from these expenses. That’s when you’ll need help from Chicago Trusted Attorneys. Your Chicago traffic ticket lawyer can help you fight back when you’ve been ticketed, possibly getting your ticket completely dismissed.

If you have a petty ticket, we can represent you without you having to take off work and come to court. One of our lawyers will handle your matter and send you a follow-up email detailing the result of the case.

What Is a Traffic Ticket?

Traffic tickets are typically the result of violating some sort of traffic laws in Illinois. To get a ticket, you may be stopped by a police officer or you may have been issued a ticket through a computer. This could be a result of a variety of traffic violations.

If you have been issued a ticket, the ticket will include the reason for your charge, the date and location of your alleged traffic violation, and the statute of ordinance you have allegedly violated. Once obtaining your ticket, you will be asked to sign it. This means you agree to the time in which you’re set to appear in court for your traffic violation or you agree to the terms on the ticket, regardless of whether you’re scheduled to appear in court.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that by signing the ticket, you are not admitting to guilt or claiming that you did violate a traffic law. Signing your ticket is mandatory in Illinois and simply confirms that you agree to the terms presented to you. If you fail to sign your ticket, you may be facing additional charges

Keep in mind, when you are pulled over, a police officer always has the option to arrest you for a traffic offense, even if the claimed offense is petty. Though most arrests are typically only a result of driving under the influence (DUI), this is always an option for officers.

Types of Moving Violations in Chicago

When you’re struggling with a traffic ticket, it’s important to first understand what type of violation you’re dealing with. The defense for your moving violation will often depend on the circumstances. For example, your defense for driving too fast in a construction zone may be different from a defense for violating child safety laws.

The type of violation will also decide whether you’re required to appear in court. Certain moving violations are more serious, meaning you may be required to appear whether you want to fight your ticket or just pay the fines.

Below is a small sample of the types of traffic tickets we can help you fight:

• Failure to yield
• Speeding (and aggravated speeding)
• Driving too fast for the conditions
• Failure to stop at a traffic signal
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Improper lane use

Illinois Points and Penalties for Traffic Tickets

When you receive a traffic ticket and choose not to fight your ticket, you may receive points on your license. While these points may not immediately affect your license, they can have a lasting impact for you in the future. The negative impact of a conviction can be the suspension of your driving privileges. You can hire Chicago Trusted Attorneys to motion up an old ticket for us to ask the judge to change your plea of guilty. Many times, our traffic ticket lawyers are able to remove a suspension from a client’s drivers license.

One of your first concerns may be the fines attached to a conviction. If you’re found guilty of a traffic violation, you’ll be responsible for paying your ticket, too. That could add up to hundreds of dollars, depending on the violation. Our traffic lawyers know what to say to get your fines reduced and even how to get some or all of your tickets dismissed completely.

For each moving violation you’re convicted of, you’ll receive a certain number of points for the violation. These points accrue over time, and when you’ve received enough points in a single twelve-month span, your license will be suspended.

Keep in mind, though, that some moving violations don’t have a points value. Instead, more serious convictions may result in an automatic suspension of your license.

Types of Traffic Offenses

In Illinois, your traffic ticket will likely be categorized as one of two types of offenses: petty or misdemeanor.

Petty Offenses

A petty offense is a minor violation, such as running a red light or a stop sign. Offenses such as speeding or lane change violations are also categorized as petty offenses. Petty offenses are punished only by a fine, which may range from $1 to $1,000 as directed by the court.

In some instances, the court may order the supervision of the offender. This most frequently happens when the defendant had previously had a clean driving record. Under court supervision, the defendant may be asked to attend driving school or pay a fine as decided by the court. Assuming the defendant complies with these orders and pays the fine as directed, the result will be case dismissal and no conviction on the defendant’s driving record.

Misdemeanors

A misdemeanor is typically divided into three classes: A, B, and C.
Class A is considered the most serious offense. Though speeding tickets are frequently considered to be a petty offense, a driver going 35 mph or more over the speed limit could be classed as a Class A misdemeanor. Other Class A misdemeanors could include a DUI, driving on a revoked or suspended license, or reckless driving.

In Illinois, Class A misdemeanors could result in a one-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $2,500.

Class B misdemeanors are still serious, but not as much as Class A misdemeanors. Class B offenses could result in a sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,500. Some examples of these misdemeanors include driving 26 to 35 mph over the speed limit and driving on a license that has expired for more than a year.

Class C is the least serious of the three misdemeanor classes. You may get a Class C grade if you remove or intentionally damage a traffic sign on the road or nearby. This misdemeanor may result in up to thirty days in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

Traffic Tickets and The Court System

How are you supposed to know whether or not you are scheduled to appear in court? In Illinois, a police officer is supposed to check one of two boxes before providing you with your ticket: “No Court Appearance Required” or “Court Appearance Required.” Based on which box is checked, you may need to appear in court.

If the police officer checked the box stating that you do not have to appear in court, you will have three options to proceed:

• Plead guilty to the ticket and pay the required fine without having to appear in court, but have a conviction on your record
• Plead not guilty and request a trial in court
• Plead guilty but request an order for supervision, which will involve paying a fine and attending traffic safety school but there will be no conviction on your record

However, if you do decide not to plead guilty to the traffic ticket and instead go to trial, you may have to notify the appropriate court of this decision. You should be able to find directions to do so on your traffic ticket if the ticket requires the notification.

Appearing in Court

If you do so choose to appear in court to dispute your ticket, you will be expected to follow certain court proceedings and courtesies. This may include dressing in proper attire, such as nice clothing that shows respect for the court and the people in it. You will also be expected to arrive on time or early to your trial.

Most traffic ticket cases will be considered a bench trial, meaning a single judge presides over the case and decides the outcome based on the facts presented in court. However, you have a right to a jury trial whenever you have received a traffic ticket. This right involves the accusations of any sort of traffic violation, no matter the severity.

Once the trial has begun, the judge hearing your case should begin by explaining how the trial will proceed. They should also explain your rights during this process. On the first day in court, you should only be expected to officially plead guilty or not guilty.

During the trial process, you will want to consider having a Chicago traffic ticket attorney on your side. One of our lawyers will be able to help you with pleading your case throughout the process. We can help you decide whether or not you want to consider resolving your case with a plea bargain that would be negotiated in court, or through a negotiated plea.

Who is Testifying?

Those testifying in court may include yourself, the officer who filed the ticket, and any witnesses that may have been involved in the incident that led to the traffic ticket. Like any other court case, those who testify in the court of law will be expected to take an oath while on the stand, promising to tell the complete truth about what happened during the traffic stop.

It’s likely the arresting officer and other prosecution witnesses will be the first to testify in the trial. Only once the prosecution has finished its testimony will you and your own witnesses will be asked to take the stand. If you have any doubts about your own testimony, the team at Chicago Trusted Attorneys will help you go over proper testimony procedures before the trial.

Paying Off Your Ticket

So you have gotten a traffic ticket and now you have to pay for it. How can you do that? The city of Chicago has a portal designed specifically for paying off your vehicle-related violations. If you are struggling to pay it off, the city offers a variety of payment plans. However, if you are confused about whether or not you should be paying off your ticket, reach out to an Illinois traffic ticket lawyer with Chicago Trusted Attorneys.

Speeding Tickets and Your Case

Even some of the best drivers may catch themselves speeding. If you are caught, however, this may result in a ticket. Luckily, in many speeding ticket cases, you may be able to keep the ticket from staying on your driving record.

Because speeding tickets in Chicago are classified as moving violations, receiving one may result in both a negative impact on your driver’s license and your insurance. That’s why it’s important to work with an attorney to get it taken care of as quickly as possible.

In Illinois, there are two main types of speeding tickets: regular and aggravated. A regular speeding ticket is typically referred to as a ticket in which you are 25 mph or less over the posted speed limit. In the case of a regular speeding ticket, the penalties typically include up to $1,000 in fines plus court costs, up to twenty points on your driving record, and a conviction.

Speeding 26 mph or higher over the speed limit is typically referred to as an aggravated speeding ticket. There are two levels to these types of tickets in Chicago. If you have been speeding 26 mph or more over the speed limit, you may be subject to a fine of up to $1,500, six months in jail, court costs, and fifty points on your driving record. However, there are more serious cases of aggravated speeding tickets.

If you were found to be driving 35 mph or faster over the posted speed limit, you may be subject to a fine of up to $2,500, court costs, long-term penalties of a conviction, twelve months in jail, and fifty points on your driving record.
Though aggravated speeding tickets are typically considered the most serious of speeding offenses, there are a few other types of speeding tickets below:

• Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid Accidents – This is the most common type of traffic ticket, especially after rear-end collisions. In this scenario, the state must prove you didn’t use due care while driving. The maximum penalty for this offense may include fines of up to $1,000, court costs, and up to ten points on your driving record.
• School Zone Speeding – In certain areas, drivers are not allowed to drive faster than 20 mph when children are present. These zones are typically around school zones, and signs are required to be posted in these areas. Specifically, drivers must drive at the posted school zone speed during a school day, which typically lasts from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. If a driver is caught driving over the speed limit in these areas during the hours in which school is in session, they could receive a speeding ticket. The minimum penalty for speeding in a school zone includes a $150 fine, court costs, and twenty points on your driving record.
• Construction Zone Speeding – Construction zones are areas in which construction is taking place. Due to the prevalence of workers and equipment on the road, following the speed limit is a matter of safety. A construction zone is required to have signs showing the lowered speed limit, which you are required to follow. If you do not follow the speed limit, the minimum penalty could include a $375 fine, court costs, and twenty points on your driving record.

If you are caught speeding, there are a variety of penalties you may be subject to based on the severity of your actions. Multiple speeding tickets may result in a driver’s license suspension, as well as a variety of other actions.
If you are under 21 years of age, your license may be suspended for one year. However, this can only happen if you have received two moving violations in a span of two years. If you are 21 years of age or older, you must be convicted of three moving violations in the span of a single year for a year-long license suspension. Depending on the number of points on your driver’s license, your license suspension may vary.

Like other moving violations, a speeding ticket may also result in steep fines, mandatory court fees, insurance rate increases, community service, and mandatory traffic school attendance.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

If you get a DUI, your ticket proceedings will be a bit different than any other type of traffic ticket you may have gotten. In Chicago, a DUI is considered a Class A misdemeanor, which means you may have to pay a fine of up to $2,500 plus court costs. In addition, you may be required to spend up to one year in jail. Your license may also be revoked.

To be found driving under the influence, a police officer will likely put you through a series of tests. If your breath, urine, or blood tests reveal a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher, then you may be found guilty. If you have any methamphetamine or cannabis found in your system, you can also be found guilty.

If you refuse to comply with the tests, your driving privileges may be immediately suspended even without a conviction. However, you have the option to file a petition to reverse this. Keep in mind that you have only ninety days to file your petition from the date you received the suspension notice. After a hearing, the judge may decide to rescind the suspension.

If the judge does not decide to rescind the suspension, you may still have the opportunity to gain your driving privileges back. Once the time period of the suspension has ended, you may choose to pay a fee and have your driving privileges reinstated. If you are a first-time offender, the fee for reinstating your privileges will be $250. If you are a repeat offender, your fee will be $500.

If you are charged with a DUI, you will want to immediately reach out to one of our trusted attorneys in Chicago. Though DUIs are often considered a criminal offense, in the state of Illinois your case will go through the traffic court system.

Consequences of a DUI

What happens if you have been arrested for a DUI? In Illinois, your first DUI will be charged as a misdemeanor. In certain cases, your second one may be charged as a misdemeanor, as well. If you have been charged for multiple DUIs, however, it will be charged as a felony DUI. There are a few factors that may result in your DUI being elevated to a felony rather than a misdemeanor:

• You were operating a school bus while under the influence
• You did not have a valid driver’s license at the time of your DUI arrest
• You were in an accident as a result of driving under the influence that caused bodily harm or death to another person
• At the time of the DUI, you did not have any insurance
• You were driving under the influence with a minor under the age of 16 in the vehicle and the minor was injured in the accident

If you are a first-time offender, you will likely not have any jail time as a result of your DUI. However, the aforementioned serious circumstances may result in harsher penalties.

Is it Possible to Combat a DUI?

Yes, our Chicago DUI lawyers at Chicago Trusted Attorneys can help you. There are a variety of defenses we could consider when taking on your case. One such defense could be that the officer had no legal cause to pull you over in the first place. We have a team of lawyers specialized in fighting against DUIs. Reach out to our DUI attorneys to get a deep dive into your case and discover what the best DUI defense is for you.

License Suspension over Traffic Tickets

If your license is suspended in Chicago, it can become a drain on your wallet, beyond the fines you’re already dealing with. A suspension leaves you unable to use your vehicle while also still having to pay for all your vehicle-related expenses. You’ll still be paying for your insurance, parking, and maintenance, but you won’t be able to drive.

That means that you’ll need to carpool or rely on public transportation, which means you’ll be spending more money on transportation. Not only is that more of a financial strain, but it can also mean that you don’t have the same freedom and flexibility that you once did before all of the traffic tickets added up.

Now, heading to work or picking up your groceries is no longer a quick car ride away. Now, you’ll need to coordinate with family or friends, or you’ll need to rely on a bus, taxi, or other public transportation. That adds a strain on you that you don’t need.

Effects on Your Insurance after a Traffic Ticket

Even if your license isn’t suspended, you could face long-term effects in the wake of a Chicago traffic ticket. Your insurance company will likely take note of the conviction, and they may raise your insurance rates because of the ticket.

Accepting a traffic ticket means that you’re pleading guilty to breaking the rules of the road. Because insurers see this as an admission of driving unsafely, they may change your insurance costs to reflect that. Driving dangerously and disregarding the rules tells the insurance providers that you may be more likely to have a car accident.

Unfortunately, that means you’ll be spending more money on your insurance than before. That can affect your future finances, affecting you and your insurance premiums for some time after your ticket. As such, it’s best to fight back with the help of a Chicago lawyer.

How a Chicago Lawyer Can Help with Your Traffic Ticket

When you’re facing a traffic ticket and so many penalties are possible, you might feel overwhelmed and unsure how to respond. Fortunately, that’s what your Chicago lawyer is here for.

We understand how much a ticket can affect your life, and we understand that it can be tough to fight back. With our lawyers on your side, you’ll have a better chance of getting your ticket dismissed. Our lawyers can help you choose the best defense and present it in court. You shouldn’t have to fight back alone, so we’ll help you through your day in traffic court.

Chicago Trusted Attorneys has handled thousands of traffic tickets, and its traffic ticket lawyers stop and nothing to ensure the best result. Whether that is negotiating a resolution or taking the matter to trial, Chicago Trusted Attorneys will leave no stone unturned.

Fight Your Chicago Traffic Ticket with a Lawyer’s Help

Facing a traffic ticket can be frustrating and difficult. You’ll need help getting your traffic ticket dismissed or the fines reduced, since it can be tough to find the best defense for your ticket on your own.

Fortunately, the lawyers at Chicago Trusted Attorneys can help you fight back when you’ve been accused of a moving violation in Chicago. Get started today with a consultation, and we’ll review your traffic ticket and what we can do for you. You’ll need to protect your future from harsh penalties, so get started today with the legal help you need.

When you’re ready to begin, your Chicago traffic ticket lawyer is ready to help. Reach out for your consultation by calling 312-519-3171 or by completing the online form below.