Here in the state of Illinois, thousands of people are pulled over each month for driving over the legal speed limit. Due to the fact that speeding is one of the most dangerous acts a driver can take (speeding killed over 9,000 Americans throughout 2017 alone), Illinois police are constantly on the lookout for speeding drivers. While most people assume that minor speeding tickets will come with minimal finage and little impact on their life, in all reality speeding violations should be taken incredibly seriously. If you are charged with driving over the legal speed limit, it may be time to seek out the expertise of a qualified attorney.

The Illinois Point System

According to Illinois state law, minor traffic violations result in points against your driving record. If a person accumulates a certain number of points within a 12-month period, they are likely to face license revocation. Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations resulting in points against one’s driving record. If a person is charged with speeding less than 10 mph over the speed limit, they will receive five points against their driving record. If a person is driving more than 10 mph over the legal limit, they will receive 15 points against them. In Illinois, accumulation of 15 points results in a two-month license suspension.

As the speed of the driver increases, the point total increases as well. For instance, if a person is driving 26 mph over the speed limit they will accumulate 50 points against their license. Driving at these reckless speeds constitutes an aggravated speeding charge. Along with the points against one’s license, aggravated speeding can result in a Class B misdemeanor. If a person is driving more than 35 mph over the speed limit, the aggravated speeding charge can result in a Class A misdemeanor, up to 12 months in prison, and a significant fine.

When a person makes the decision to drive recklessly, they are making the decision to endanger other travelers as well as themselves. Recognizing this, the state of Illinois punishes reckless driving incredibly harshly. Reckless driving is defined in 625 ILCS 5/11-503, as negligent vehicular operation that willfully disregards the safety of others. According to Illinois state law, reckless driving usually results in a Class A Misdemeanor. Due to the severity of the legal consequences of a reckless driving charge, it is critically important to seek out quality legal representation immediately.

Common Forms of Reckless Driving

In addition to a misdemeanor charge on a person’s permanent record, a reckless driving charge can also result in rises in a person’s insurance rates. In some instances, reckless driving will result in a license revocation or suspension.

Aggravated Speeding: If a person is apprehended while driving 35 miles per hour over the legal speed limit, they will likely be charged with aggravated speeding. Aggravated speeding results in a Class A misdemeanor and is one of the more common forms of reckless driving. The primary reason for aggravated speeding being defined as a form of reckless driving is due to the fact that traveling at such high speeds can impact a person’s reaction time and correspondingly the safety and wellbeing of other travelers.

When a person is pulled over by a police officer, it can be difficult to maintain a level head. Because of this, many people lose their ability to contemplate their decision-making process. In all reality, it is of the utmost importance to remain calm and understand your rights and privileges, especially as it pertains to a DUI traffic stop. Many people make the mistake of feeling as though failure to adhere to every single request of the officer represents insubordination that could impact them in court. Yet, it is important for you to understand your rights and how declining to answer a question or take part in chemical testing could impact you. If you are charged with driving under the influence, speak with a qualified legal professional immediately.

Refusing Chemical Testing

If a person is convicted of a DUI, their life can be changed dramatically. Even a first-time DUI offender is likely to face Class A misdemeanor charges, minimum fines of up to $500, and loss of driving privileges for one year. The legal consequences of additional DUIs are even more significant. Understanding the legal severity of DUIs, it is important to understand how refusing chemical testing can impact you.

The first thing to understand is that you are not breaking the law when you refuse to submit to chemical testing. Now, you are violating your driver’s license agreement that states that you are consenting to certain steps such as chemical testing if deemed necessary by law enforcement. All that said, chemical test refusal is not something that will show up on your criminal record, but will impact your driving privileges.

Every single year, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries in collisions involving commercial trucks. Given the sheer size of most commercial trucks, these collisions often times result in fatalities. Because of this, commercial truck drivers are held to strict regulatory standards. Violation of these standards can result in loss of your commercial driver’s license. In some instances though, the violation that the truck driver was cited for was not the fault of the driver. Below we will examine some of the most common instances in which commercial trucking companies violate these standards. If you are cited for a CDL violation, seek out legal representation immediately.

Common Company Caused Violations

While some CDL violations are directly related to driver error, such as a DUI or reckless driving charge, many other violations are the direct fault of the trucking company. If a driver is cited for violating a driver out-of-service order regarding the transportation of hazardous materials, it is possible that they were not educated on the order by their company. If a driver is cited for driving an overweight truck, it is likely that the company overloaded the vehicle to minimize delivery time, putting their bottom line ahead of the safety and wellbeing of the driver.

In other instances, a driver may be violating regulations regarding their electronic logbook, due to pressure from the company to work extended hours. In all of these cases, a driver could ultimately lose their CDL due to the negligence of their company.

Driving is a way of life. The average American drives approximately 37 miles per day. Loss of your driving privileges can significantly impact your quality of life and your livelihood. Here in the state of Illinois, there are a number of traffic violations that can result in license suspension or revocation. Below, we will examine some of the most common violations that could cost you your license. In the event of a traffic violation, it is critically important to seek out the assistance of a qualified legal professional.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: Here in the state of Illinois, local law enforcement are constantly on the lookout for signs of inebriated driving. Throughout 2017 alone, more than 27,000 people were arrested statewide for intoxicated driving. Due to the inherent dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, a conviction can result in loss of driving privileges. A first DUI conviction will result in a one-year license revocation. Subsequent convictions come with lengthier revocation periods. If you have been charged with a DUI, you need to speak with a legal representative.

Felony Traffic Offenses: The vast majority of traffic violations are considered minor infractions that only result in minor fines. More serious traffic violations, such as driving under the influence are listed as misdemeanors. The most serious violations though will constitute a felony charge. If you commit a felony traffic offense, you will more than likely face a license suspension or revocation. Common felony offenses include multiple DUIs, vehicular homicide, and repeatedly driving without a license. Many felony traffic offenses can also result in significant jail time.