Lake County Speeding Offenses

 Posted on January 14, 2021 in Lake County Defense Attorney

Lake County Speeding ticket attorney Matthew R Gebhardt examines the offense of speeding in Lake County, Illinois.

Most drivers have received at least one speeding ticket over the course of their driving history. While your experience with past speeding tickets may lead you to believe that this is a minor issue, the laws in Lake County, Illinois have changed dramatically in recent years. As such, the phrase “it’s only a traffic ticket” no longer applies in Lake County, Illinois. Recent changes to the traffic laws have greatly increased the penalties for speeding in Lake County, Illinois while at the same time lowering the threshold for determining what amounts to the more serious “Aggravated Speeding” charges. Lake County speeding ticket attorney Matthew R Gebhardt is well-versed in these changes and can assist you in preserving your driving privileges.

Lake County speeding ticket lawyer Matthew R Gebhardt has included some of the most recent changes below:

625 ILCS 5/11-601.5 provides that:

(a) a person who drives a vehicle upon any highway of this State at a speed that is 26 miles per hour or more but less than 35 miles per hour in excess of the speed limit commits a Class B Misdemeanor.

(b) a person who drives a vehicle upon any highway of this State at a speed that is 35 miles per hour or more in excess of the limit commits a Class A Misdemeanor.

The penalty for a Class B Misdemeanor can be jail time for up to 180 days and a fine of $1500. The penalty for a Class A Misdemeanor can be jail time for up to 364 days and a fine of $2500. While jail time and the high fines above are unlikely outcomes for someone with a decent driving record, Lake County speeding ticket lawyer Matthew R Gebhardt points out that there is another important factor to consider.

“Often times clients, and sometimes their attorneys, focus only on the immediate consequences when dealing with a speeding ticket. Sometimes clients are too happy to take a quick deal from the prosecutor without considering long term consequences. One important factor to consider when dealing with a Class B or A misdemeanor aggravated speeding ticket is the fact that supervision is not an available disposition. What this means is that any plea on an aggravated speeding ticket will result in a conviction on your driving record. Avoiding jail time, while it may seem like a win, is not enough. It is important that your attorney either win your case outright, or negotiate a disposition for a reduced charge and a sentence of supervision. That is the best way to ensure that your driving privileges will not be in jeopardy at a later date.”

Whether you have been charges with an Aggravated Speeding ticket offense or other traffic violation, Lake County Speeding Ticket attorney Matthew R Gebhardt can help. Our office represents clients charged with traffic, DUI, and criminal offenses. Lake County Speeding Ticket lawyer Matthew R Gebhardt will provide a free consultation to anyone charged with a traffic or criminal offense in the State of Illinois.