What Happens When You Have Too Many Traffic Tickets?
Receiving a traffic ticket in Illinois can have a major effect on your driver’s license. Point systems adopted by traffic law make it difficult for drivers to move on from a simple mistake made while driving. The more points or tickets you receive for traffic violations, the more likely you will have your driving privileges revoked or suspended.
In addition to paying fines, court costs, an increased insurance rate, and potentially receiving criminal penalties, you risk license suspension or revocation. The only way to prevent the serious consequences of having too many tickets on your record is by getting legal backing from an experienced Illinois traffic lawyer.
The traffic ticket lawyers at Hirsch Law Group have been helping Illinois citizens defend against traffic tickets, violations, parking tickets, and criminal charges for over 20 years. Losing your driving privileges can upturn your life. You could be left unable to pay for insurance without a driver’s license to carry out daily tasks and be fired.
So, the answer to what happens if you have too many speeding tickets on your record could be scary. However, consulting with an attorney can help you prepare before any mishaps.
A lawyer from our law firm can help prevent these severe consequences by putting up a fight on your behalf. This means fighting against a moving violation, getting charges reduced to prevent penalty points, getting enrolled in traffic school for a first speeding ticket, getting a ticket dismissed, or fighting to reinstate your license.
We have an in-depth understanding of local DMV and traffic laws and want to use our experience to help protect your future.
Call our law firm today to schedule a free consultation at 815-880-1134.
Driving Record and The Illinois Point System
The penalty points system in Illinois determines whether you will face license suspension for traffic violations and the length of the suspension period. Each moving traffic violation in Illinois has penalty points attached to it. If you receive a traffic ticket and plead guilty by paying for the ticket, you will receive penalty points on your record.
You will face license suspension if you receive three or more violations within one year. The points on your record will determine how long you will face suspension. The more points you have, the longer the suspension period will be. You could receive a suspension for six months or an indefinite revocation, depending on the violation you were accused of.
Unfortunately, the Illinois points system can be quite harsh for ordinary drivers. Because penalty points stay on your license for up to 5 years, you could pay the fine for a minor speeding violation and end up with a lengthy suspension period because of previous offenses. Because of this, contesting any traffic tickets you receive and hiring a lawyer to arrange a court date on your behalf is important. This way, you can potentially reduce the number of points on your license and avoid a suspension.
In order to contest a traffic ticket in Illinois, you must appear in court on the date stated on your ticket. If you are unable to attend for any reason, it is crucial that you contact the court immediately and request a new date. Failure to appear or communicate with the court could result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.
When appearing in court, it is important to dress professionally and be respectful towards the judge and other court personnel. Bringing evidence such as witness statements or photographs can also help strengthen your case. Your lawyer can advise you on what evidence may be beneficial for your specific violation.
During your hearing, the prosecution will present their case against you and any witnesses they may have. It is important to listen carefully and take notes, as this can help your lawyer build a strong defense for you. You will also have the opportunity to present your own evidence and explain your side of the story.
Can a Speeding Ticket Affect My Driving Record?
Traffic offenses in Illinois are separated into moving violations and non-moving violations. Moving violations are traffic offenses that directly affect your driving record and can lead to a suspension or revocation of your driver’s license. Moving violations, which happen when a vehicle is moving, have a higher likelihood of causing direct harm to members of the public.
Because of this, they have harsher penalties, which can lead to penalty points. Speeding violations happen when an individual drives faster than the posted speed limit. A speeding ticket will affect your driving record because the vehicle is in motion, and there is a risk of harm to other drivers. This is the same with all moving traffic violations, including running a stop sign, reckless driving, driving under the influence, and more serious traffic infractions.
You will get penalty points added to your driving record for a speeding ticket, and your driving speed will affect the number of points you receive. Individuals often ask our lawyers how long a speeding ticket stays on their driving record. The answer is that it may remain for up to 5 years, which can have a long-term effect on your insurance premium. Other moving violations can have higher points that may stay on your record for up to 5 years.
Will My Insurance Company Increase My Premium Because of Speeding Tickets?
One of the main issues drivers in Illinois face is high insurance costs. Your auto insurer is vested in getting as much money from you as possible. With a clean driving history, you may still face a high insurance premium for being under 25 or for factors relating to your health.
However, with too many points on your driving record, you risk facing massively increased auto insurance rates that remain until your record becomes clear. Traffic tickets, including speeding tickets and tickets for moving violations, directly affect your driver’s license, which increases your insurance rates.
Most insurance companies do not care about the effect of increased car insurance rates on your life. You may be unable to pay for higher insurance rates, unable to continue having a vehicle and risk losing your job. Other insurance companies can view your DMV record and will likely impose higher rates for new clients.
As a result, your entire livelihood could be at risk because of a minor traffic ticket. By fighting against speeding tickets or moving violations in a traffic court, you may be able to prevent penalty points on your license and not risk increased insurance premiums from greedy insurance companies.
For this, you might want to consult a knowledgeable attorney with experience in speeding cases and who knows the best way to navigate your case. With a skilled attorney, you will better understand the situation and your options and defend your rights in court.
I’ve Received a Traffic Ticket. What Should I Do?
You have received a traffic ticket for speeding, reckless driving, failing to stop at a stop sign, passing a school bus, or other moving violations. Now, you are unsure how to prevent license suspension or serious penalties. First, we always recommend seeking legal help, regardless of whether your traffic violation is allegedly minor.
An appropriate authority should issue your traffic ticket with a court date on the ticket. If you are not required to make a court appearance, you reserve the right to schedule this and contest the charges. An experienced lawyer can assess whether the ticket is valid. They will check the credentials of the officer who cited you, investigate whether you broke the law, and determine if they have enough grounds to prove this in court.
If your lawyer believes your charges can be reduced or thrown out completely, they will ensure they negotiate with the court to get this done. They can help prevent you from paying the fine, getting points on your record, paying for court costs, and potentially receiving a license suspension.
Defensive Driving Classes
It may be possible to avoid points on your driver’s record by attending a defensive driving course or traffic school. Defensive driving courses are usually only available to first-time offenders and for minor traffic offenses.
You can avoid the violation being added to your record by paying a fine and attending a traffic school. A lawyer must petition the court before you plead guilty by paying the fine, so consulting a lawyer first is essential.
How can an Illinois Traffic Lawyer Help?
An Illinois traffic lawyer can assist you in various ways when facing a traffic violation. Here are some of the ways a skilled attorney can help:
Assess Your Case: An experienced lawyer will review the details of your case and determine if there are any flaws or inconsistencies that can be used to your advantage.
Negotiate with the Court: Your lawyer can negotiate with the court to get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
Educate You: A lawyer can educate you on the consequences of pleading guilty and inform you of all your options, including attending traffic school, to avoid points on your record.
Defend Your Rights: Your attorney will defend your rights in court and represent you if necessary, ensuring a fair trial and a just verdict.
Save You Time and Money: By hiring a traffic lawyer, you can save time in court appearances, avoid hefty fines and court costs, and prevent increased insurance premiums on your auto policy.
Contact A Traffic Ticket Lawyer at Hirsch Law Group Today!
Having multiple tickets on your driver’s record can lead to serious consequences, including a suspended license. You could face increased insurance rates, fines, and even jail time. That’s why it’s crucial to seek the help of a traffic ticket lawyer as soon as possible.
If you are facing license suspension or have received a speeding ticket or another type of moving violation, it is vital that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The lawyers at Hirsch Law Group can help you fight against losing your driving privileges and receiving penalties by contesting a traffic ticket, getting your charges reduced, or getting the ticket dismissed. If your license has been suspended because of too many tickets, we can fight to get it reinstated.
Hirsch Law Group understands the challenges drivers face in Illinois, and we know how important it is to have a clean record. Having worked as former prosecutors, we have a unique set of skills that we will use to benefit your case. We are determined to protect your future and fight for a positive outcome for your case. Our law firm has won multiple awards for its dedication to client cases, and we always guarantee the highest standard of legal care.
Call our law firm today to schedule a free consultation at 815-880-1134. Let us help you navigate the complicated legal process and fight for your rights. Don’t risk your future by facing a traffic violation alone – trust the experienced team at Hirsch Law Group to handle your case with expertise and professionalism.
