A Speeding Ticket in Illinois Can Become a Criminal Charge
Most drivers in Joliet do not realize that a speeding ticket can be a criminal offense in Illinois. While going 10 or 15 miles per hour over the speed limit is a petty offense carrying only a fine, driving 26 mph or more over the limit is aggravated speeding — a misdemeanor that can result in jail time, a permanent criminal record, and the loss of your driver’s license. Simply paying the ticket without appearing in court is not an option for aggravated speeding, and a conviction can follow you for years.
At the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C., we defend clients facing speeding tickets and traffic violations throughout Joliet, Will County, and Grundy County. Whether you received a routine speeding ticket that could affect your insurance rates or you are facing an aggravated speeding charge that requires a court appearance, Attorney Zaremba fights to keep violations off your record and protect your driving privileges.
Illinois Speeding Penalties by Speed
Illinois speeding laws under 625 ILCS 5/11-601 and 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5 create three penalty tiers based on how far over the speed limit you were driving:
1 to 25 mph over the limit — Petty offense:
- Fine up to $1,000 plus court costs — no jail time
- 5 to 20 points on your driving record depending on speed
- Court supervision available to keep the ticket off your record
- Can be paid by mail in many cases, but court supervision requires a court appearance
26 to 34 mph over the limit — Class B misdemeanor (Aggravated Speeding):
- Up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,500
- 50 points on your driving record
- Must appear in court — a warrant will be issued if you fail to appear
- Court supervision may be available for first-time offenders
35 or more mph over the limit — Class A misdemeanor (Aggravated Speeding):
- Up to 364 days in jail and fines up to $2,500
- 50 points on your driving record
- Must appear in court
- Court supervision may be available for first-time offenders but is harder to obtain
Special zones carry enhanced penalties:
- School zones: Minimum fine $150 (first offense), $300 (subsequent), 20 points
- Construction/work zones: Minimum fine $250 (first offense), $750 (subsequent), 20 points
How Speeding Affects Your Driver’s License
Every moving violation conviction adds points to your Illinois driving record. Accumulate too many points and the Secretary of State will suspend or revoke your license:
Adults 21 and over: 3 or more moving violation convictions within 12 months triggers a license suspension. The length depends on total points and prior history — ranging from 2 months to 12 months for a first suspension.
Drivers under 21: Only 2 moving violations within 24 months triggers a suspension. Young drivers face stricter standards, making every ticket more consequential.
This is why court supervision matters. Supervision is not a conviction and does not add a moving violation to your record for purposes of the point system. A conviction does. For drivers who already have one or two recent violations on their record, keeping the next ticket off through supervision can be the difference between keeping your license and losing it.
Court Supervision for Speeding — When It Is and Is Not Available
Court supervision is the most important outcome for any speeding ticket in Joliet because it prevents a conviction from going on your record. However, supervision has important limitations:
- Petty offense speeding (1-25 mph over): Supervision is generally available
- Aggravated speeding (26-34 mph over): Supervision is available for first-time offenders — but NOT available if you have a prior supervision or conviction for misdemeanor speeding, or if the offense occurred in an urban district
- Aggravated speeding (35+ mph over): Same restrictions as 26-34 mph tier
- Two supervisions within 12 months for moving violations: A third moving violation cannot receive supervision
Losing eligibility for supervision means a mandatory conviction — which adds points, affects insurance, and moves you closer to a license suspension. An experienced Joliet traffic attorney helps you preserve supervision eligibility and navigate these restrictions.
Other Traffic Offenses We Handle in Will County
Beyond speeding, our firm defends all types of traffic violations in Joliet and throughout Will County:
- Reckless driving (625 ILCS 5/11-503) — Class A misdemeanor, up to 364 days in jail. Charged when driving shows willful or wanton disregard for safety.
- Driving while license suspended or revoked (625 ILCS 5/6-303) — Class A misdemeanor for first offense, can escalate to Class 4 felony for subsequent violations or if the suspension was DUI-related
- Failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident — Commonly issued after collisions, carries the same penalties as speeding under 625 ILCS 5/11-601
- Improper lane usage — Moving violation that adds points and may trigger insurance increases
- Running a red light or stop sign — Moving violation, 20 points
- Driving without insurance (625 ILCS 5/3-707) — Mandatory 3-month license suspension and $500 minimum fine for first offense
- Leaving the scene of an accident (625 ILCS 5/11-401) — Ranges from misdemeanor to felony depending on whether injuries or death occurred
Defense Strategies for Traffic Violations
As a former Will County prosecutor, Attorney Zaremba applies proven strategies to protect your record:
- Challenging the speed measurement — Radar and lidar devices must be properly calibrated and maintained. Officers must be certified to operate the equipment. We subpoena calibration records and challenge readings that don’t meet required standards.
- Challenging the officer’s observations — If the speed was estimated visually (pacing or observation) rather than measured by instrument, the accuracy of the estimate can be challenged through cross-examination.
- Negotiating supervision — For eligible offenders, we advocate aggressively for court supervision to keep the violation off your record. This is the single most valuable outcome for most traffic cases.
- Negotiating reduced charges — An aggravated speeding charge (26+ mph over) may be negotiable down to a petty offense speeding ticket, eliminating the criminal classification entirely.
- Challenging the stop itself — If the officer lacked a basis for the traffic stop, the ticket may be dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Speeding Tickets in Joliet
Is a speeding ticket a criminal offense in Illinois?
It depends on the speed. Going 1 to 25 mph over the limit is a petty offense — not a crime. Going 26 to 34 mph over is a Class B misdemeanor, and 35 or more mph over is a Class A misdemeanor. Both misdemeanor levels are criminal offenses that can result in jail time and a permanent criminal record.
Should I just pay my speeding ticket?
Paying a speeding ticket is an admission of guilt that results in a conviction on your driving record. This adds points, may increase your insurance rates, and counts toward the threshold for license suspension. In most cases, appearing in court and requesting supervision is a better option — it keeps the conviction off your record.
How many speeding tickets will suspend my license in Illinois?
For adults 21 and over, 3 moving violation convictions within 12 months will trigger a license suspension. For drivers under 21, only 2 convictions within 24 months will suspend your license. Court supervision does not count as a conviction for these purposes.
Can an aggravated speeding charge be expunged?
If you received court supervision for aggravated speeding, the record may be eligible for expungement. A conviction for misdemeanor speeding cannot be expunged but may be eligible for sealing. This is another reason why securing supervision is so important.
Related: Return to Criminal Defense for an overview of all related practice areas and defense strategies.
Contact a Joliet Traffic Violations Attorney
If you have received a speeding ticket or traffic citation in Joliet, Will County, or Grundy County — especially an aggravated speeding charge — do not simply pay the fine. Contact the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. at 815-740-4025 for a free consultation. We handle traffic cases throughout Will County and fight to protect your driving record and your freedom.