Rock Island Traffic Ticket Defense Attorney
If you’ve received a traffic ticket in Illinois, you may be questioning whether you should hire an attorney, show up in court on your own, or just pay the ticket and move on. Making the right decision requires complete and accurate information about what’s at stake, as well as what defenses may be available to you.
An experienced Rock Island traffic ticket lawyer can be your best resource. We offer free consultations to help you make informed decisions.
Some Traffic Violations are Serious Crimes
Petty Offenses
When you think about a traffic ticket, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a speeding ticket. In Illinois, speeding is known as a “petty offense.” That means there’s no jail time associated with the violation. The main penalty for petty offenses is a fine. You may also be assigned points against your driver’s license.
The number of points assigned depends on the violation. But the same violation may trigger a different number of points depending on the circumstances. For instance, speeding is assigned 5 points. But that changes depending on how far above the speed limit you’re traveling.
- 11-14 mph above the speed limit: 15 points
- 15-25 mph above the speed limit: 20 points
- More than 25 mph above the speed limit: 50 points
After three incidents, your points will be added up and your license suspended. The length of the suspension depends on the number of points. If you’re under 21, points get totaled up after just two incidents.
Some other common traffic-related petty offenses include:
- Running a stop sign
- Running a red light
- Failing to signal a turn or lane change
If you choose to pay the ticket, you’re admitting to the violation. That means in addition to paying the fine, you’ll be assigned the appropriate number of points for the violation you admitted to. The importance of fighting an Illinois traffic ticket for a petty offense may depend on a variety of factors, including your driving record, whether you drive for a living and need a clean record, and even your age.
But not all traffic violations are petty offenses.
Misdemeanor and Felony Traffic Violations in Illinois
Just as some speeding tickets result in more points than others, the gap between the speed limit and the speed you were traveling can change the classification of the crime. For example, traveling at 26-35 mph above the speed limit is a class B misdemeanor. That means a possible sentence of up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,500. If you’re traveling at more than 35 mph over the speed limit, the crime is a class A misdemeanor. In Illinois, a class A misdemeanor carries a possible penalty of up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
Other traffic violations are always classified as crimes. For example, reckless driving is always at least a class A misdemeanor. In some circumstances, reckless driving may be a class 4 felony, or even a class 3 felony. A class 4 felony carries a possible prison sentence of 1-3 years, while a class 3 felony could mean 2-5 years in prison. All felony crimes committed by individuals carry a possible fine of up to $25,000.
Similarly, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI) is always at least a misdemeanor. In some circumstances, such as when the defendant has two prior DUI convictions, the crime may be a felony. Other factors may trigger a mandatory minimum jail sentence. A DUI conviction also means a driver’s license suspension, even if you don’t have any other moving violations or points on your license.
Know What You’re Facing with an Illinois Traffic Ticket
Some traffic tickets are more serious than others. But a ticket for a petty offense with a relatively low point count can be serious if it’s the third offense and leads to a driver’s license suspension, or if you work in a field that requires a clean driving record.
Before you decide whether to pay or fight a traffic ticket for a petty offense, or how to proceed with your criminal charges for a misdemeanor or felony traffic offense, you should have a solid understanding of the direct and indirect consequences of a conviction. If you don’t have complete information, it’s easy to make a mistake that may come back to haunt you.
That’s why I offer free consultations. To learn more about the consequences of a conviction in your traffic case, possible defenses, and how I can help, fill out our contact form or call 309-752-8500 right now.
