Don’t just pay that Traffic Ticket

 Posted on February 10, 2023 in Uncategorized

Drivers all over the state of Illinois are regularly stopped for all kinds of alleged traffic violations with the most common being speeding. Illinois drivers need to understand that the issuance of traffic tickets are never the final word, and you always have the right to fight your ticket in court.

Many people assume that criminal defense lawyers only help when someone has been accused of a serious crime. However, a criminal defense lawyer experienced in traffic violation defense cases might be able get your ticket dismissed or lower the fines and penalties. This will result in fewer points of your driver’s license. Speeding is certainly the most common kind of traffic offense for which people are ticketed in Illinois, but there are many other types of tickets for which legal representation could make an enormous difference in the outcome.

How Illinois Handles Traffic Tickets

As the Illinois State Bar Association notes in its Guide to Illinois Traffic Courts, traffic courts hear more cases than any other type of court in the state. When a police officer issues a ticket, they will request a signature that ensures a person’s agreement to appear in court or to pay a required fine in lieu of court.

A majority of traffic offenses in Illinois are petty offenses, to which you can only receive a fine as a punishment. Other tickets can be aggravated traffic tickets or misdemeanor offenses, and there can there can be several long-term consequences to your record and drivers license. For example, accumulating too many points or too many tickets on your driver’s license can lead to the suspension of your driving privileges. And in some cases, like passing a stopped school bus, results in the automatic suspension of your license for even a first offense. Of course, traffic tickets will also raise the cost of your auto insurance.

Below are the most common kinds of traffic violations in Illinois:

• Speeding
• Texting while driving
• Red light tickets
• Stop sign violations
• Failure to yield
• Unsafe lane changes
• Following too closely (tailgating)
• Failure to provide proof of insurance

When a police officer issues the ticket, they will mark a box that either denotes that a court appearance is required, or whether no appearance is required. When no appearance is required, a person can plead guilty and receive a conviction, plead guilty but request court supervision, or plead not guilty and request a trial before a magistrate or judge.

Most traffic violations result in bench trials where judges alone hear evidence and decide cases based on the facts presented in court. People still retain the right to a trial by jury if so desired, in most cases.

It is important to know that anyone that has received a traffic ticket has the right to hire an attorney. In fact, it is in your interest to speak to a traffic attorney before deciding how best to handle your ticket. An experienced traffic violations attorney can explain all of your options and help you take the best course of action for your particular situation.

Contact a Will and Grundy County Traffic Ticket Lawyer

If you recently received any kind of traffic citation in Illinois, you should absolutely speak to a traffic attorney before resolving your case. Contact Will County traffic ticket attorney Jack L. Zaremba for personalized guidance. Call 815-740-4025 or contact us online for a free consultation.