JOLIET LAWYER FOR DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED

Charges for Driving With a Suspended License in Plainfield and Will County

If you are reading these words, there is an excellent chance that your license has been suspended. There are numerous reasons why the state of Illinois may suspend or revoke your driver's license, some of which have nothing to do with traffic tickets or driving safety, and it does not hesitate to use any one of them. In some cases, drivers may ignore a license suspension order and keep driving. This approach almost always ends badly, as a routine check at a traffic stop or checkpoint may result in an arrest, and a conviction may lead to high fines and potential jail time.

There is considerable debate as to whether these laws serve any useful purpose, other than revenue production. The vocal attorneys at Reeder & Brown, P.C. speak up and speak out to protect people against unfair laws. We never take the State's evidence at face value. Instead, we make sure that your story is told and your rights are protected.

How Arrests for Driving Without a Valid License Can Happen

Safety-related suspensions and social-related suspensions of driver's licenses may occur in multiple jurisdictions. In Illinois, these suspensions may be the result of issues such as:

• DUI: A conviction for intoxicated driving, a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .08, or a refusal to provide a chemical specimen will trigger a license suspension.
• Failure to Appear: Missing a court date in a municipal court for a traffic ticket or low-level misdemeanor can lead to license suspension, and a reinstatement fee may apply in some cases.
• Too Many Moving Violations: As few as three minor traffic tickets within a one-year period will result in the automatic suspension of a driver's license. In many cases, a three-month suspension will apply, and subsequent violators may lose their licenses for up to a year.
• Deadbeats Don't Drive: This program suspends the licenses of persons with past-due child support.

The fee to reinstate a suspended driver's license may range from $70 to $500 depending on the type of suspension or revocation.

How to Respond to Charges of Driving With a Suspended License

Driving While License Suspended is a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a maximum $2,500 fine. Aggravating circumstances, such as driving after a license was suspended for DUI or not having insurance, make the offense a Class 4 felony. To avoid these penalties, the Secretary of State has the authority to reinstate a suspended license partially and allow a person to drive until the suspension period expires. Depending on the type of violation, either a formal or informal license reinstatement hearing may be held to determine whether a person should be allowed to regain their driving privileges.

At the absolute minimum, the hearing officer will require certain documents. For example, first-time DUI offenders with a BAC under .15 must complete a driver education program, while subsequent offenders must generally complete 12-20 hours of alcohol treatment and any required aftercare. However, a hearing officer can still deny your petition, even if you produce the required documents, if they believe that there is not a valid reason to reinstate your license.

If you convince the Secretary of State that your driving does not pose an unreasonable danger, and you have a legitimate hardship, you may be able to receive a Restricted Driving Permit that allows you to drive at certain times, in certain places, and under certain conditions.

A suspended driver's license has serious consequences. For a free consultation with an attorney who can help you minimize or eliminate these consequences, contact Reeder & Brown, P.C. at 815-885-5980. The sooner you call, the sooner we can help.