Cook County Traffic Attorney

 Posted on October 14, 2013 in Criminal defense lawyer

Illinois Traffic and Suspended License Lawyer Matthew R. Gebhardt examines the offenses of driving while your license is suspended or revoked and the penalties under the laws of the State of Illinois.

Driving with a suspended license is typically a misdemeanor in Illinois. There are some aggravating circumstances that can cause it to become a felony, however. Either way, this charge can seriously jeopardize your driving privileges, lead to a lengthened suspension, and may even lead to jail time.

SENTENCING

First conviction — Class A misdemeanor; possible imprisonment of up to 12 months; mandatory imprisonment of 10 days in jail or 30 days of community serv­ice; fines of up to $2,500; suspension of driving privileges for double the original suspension period or additional revocation of 1 year; may result in seizure or for­feiture of vehicle.

Second conviction — Class 4 felony; possible imprisonment of 1-3 years; min­imum 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service; fines of up to $25,000; suspension of driving privileges for double the original suspension period or additional revocation of 1 year; may result in seizure or forfeiture of vehicle.

Third conviction — Class 4 felony; possible imprisonment of 1-3 years; mini­mum 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service; fines of up to $25,000; suspension of driving privileges for double the original suspension period or additional revocation of 1 year; may result in seizure or forfeiture of vehicle.

Fourth through ninth conviction — Class 4 felony; possible imprisonment of 1-3 years; minimum 180 days in jail; fines of up to $25,000; suspension of driv­ing privileges for double the original suspension period or additional revoca­tion of 1 year; may result in seizure or forfeiture of vehicle.

10th through 14th conviction — Class 3 felony; possible imprisonment of 2-5 years; not eligible for probation or conditional discharge; fines of up to $25,000; suspension of driving privileges for double the original suspension period or additional revocation of 1 year; may result in seizure or forfeiture of vehicle

WHAT MY OFFICE CAN DO FOR YOU

The best way to defend this charge in Illinois is to attempt to resolve the issue(s) that originally caused the suspension. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we can examine your driving record to determine why your license was suspended and if there is an opportunity to remedy the problem. In some cases, there are many problems on your record that have caused the suspension, and you should attempt to remedy as many as possible.

After our office examines your driving record, we can provide you with the necessary guidance to reinstate your driving privileges. Often times, once your privileges have been restored, we can secure a dismissal of the suspended license charge you received in Illinois at the Courthouse. This will enable you to avoid hefty court fines and in the more serious scenarios jail time as well. Most importantly, it will enable you to legally drive in the State of Illinois.

As always, the Law Office of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. offers free consultations for anyone charged with an offense in Illinois or any other municipality.