Many people get pulled over and learn unexpectedly that their license has been suspended. A routine traffic stop can turn into fines, jail time, and further penalties to your driving privileges. You may need our driving under suspension lawyers in Arlington Heights to defend yourself against further penalties.

Hirsch Law Group has helped more than 10,000 clients successfully with their legal problems. We know how to defend people against this charge. Contact our Arlington Heights traffic ticket lawyers for a free initial meeting.

What Counts as Driving Under Suspension in Illinois?

To have your license suspended means that the state recognizes you had a valid driver’s license, but they have removed your privileges for some reason. Many drivers don’t learn they have had a suspension until they get pulled over for something else. A lack of notice can be a defense in these cases.

There are many reasons why the state may suspend a license. Here are some examples:

  • Unpaid traffic tickets
  • Failure to appear in court
  • Too many points on your driving record
  • DUI arrests or convictions
  • Failure to pay for auto insurance
  • Failure to pay child support
  • Excessive speeding
  • Unpaid toll violations

Part of your defense will be to determine the underlying cause of the suspension. Our driving under suspension lawyers in Arlington Heights will challenge the suspension’s reasons and work to eliminate or reduce the penalties against you as much as possible.

What Are The Penalties for Driving Under Suspension?

The penalties vary depending on your circumstances. For a first offense that doesn’t involve DUI, you’ll face a Class A misdemeanor, which could land you in jail for less than a year. You’ll also face fines of up to $2500.

However, if this is your second offense or if your suspension was related to a DUI or reckless homicide, you could face a Class 4 felony. This could put you in prison for 1-3 years and remove many of your civil rights. It can also cause immediate deportation proceedings against you if you’re an immigrant.

Additionally, you may have your license suspended for longer and have your vehicle impounded. This makes it much more difficult to maintain your life. Most people need to have driving privileges and a vehicle to get to work.

Additional Penalties

The pain doesn’t stop here. You may have to pay higher insurance premiums or get an SR-22 filing requirement after your license is restored. An SR-22 is a form from an insurer proving to the state that you are paying for valid insurance, and they are quite expensive to maintain.

You’ll also have a criminal record, which can make it hard to get certain jobs requiring driving. It can also be very detrimental to any immigration procedure you’re going through. It may seem like a minor charge, but the government takes any criminal violation very seriously in these matters.

Finally, a lack of driving privileges pushes some people to take risks that could open them to further arrests. If someone lives away from public transportation and has no other way to get to work, this risk gets worse.

Defenses Against Driving Under Suspension

When our driving under suspicion attorneys in Arlington Heights take your case, there are several ways we can approach your defense. The first is to challenge the underlying reason. If we can show that reason was invalid, then the suspension is invalid.

Another defense is a lack of notice from the state. Illinois is required to notify you when your license is suspended. More rarely, there are times when a clerical error in the state’s records says your license is suspended when it is not. 

Finally, there are some circumstances where necessity or emergency requires you to drive on a suspended license. We can argue that the reason for you to drive outweighs the suspension. In some cases, we can get a modification to a suspension order for these reasons.

How Hirsch Law Group Can Help You

Our law firm has former prosecutors and state’s attorneys on staff. We are deeply familiar with how the state suspends licenses and how it can go wrong. Our attorneys will explain to you what you’re facing and how we can assist you in clear language.

When the unexpected happens, you need a team you can trust. You’ll have a dedicated case manager you can contact anytime for questions, and our team is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Also, our firm is deeply experienced in how traffic violations can affect immigration proceedings. If you fear deportation or worry about how your charges will affect your stay in the United States, we can work to defend you.

Contact Hirsch Law Group for Immediate Assistance

An accusation of driving under suspension often comes out of nowhere. Most people charged with this crime have no idea their license was suspended. Don’t let the system run roughshod over you. Instead, contact Hirsch Law Group.

Our Arlington Heights driving under suspension lawyers are ready to listen to your story, but you must act quickly before it is too late. Call us as soon as you can after your arrest to start your defense immediately.