For certain traffic offenses and other violations, the court might decide to suspend your driver's license, either temporarily or permanently. This suspension can affect a person's life severely if they depend on their license to work or do important errands. If your license has been suspended, it is best to hire an attorney to review your driving background and attempt to reinstate your driving privileges.
Talk to us about your situation in a free case review.
Reasons for Suspension
Your license could be suspended for many reasons, including the following:
- Conviction of 3 or more traffic offenses within a year
- Repeatedly involved in collisions
- Caused an accident resulting in injury or death
- Drove with a suspended or revoked license
- Fled from a police officer
- Committed crimes while in control of a vehicle
- Committed reckless homicide with a vehicle
- Conviction of a DUI
- Fled the scene of an accident
- Failed to pay a certain number of parking tickets
- Failed to pay or evaded tolls
- Delinquent in child support payments
- Violated SR-22
- Failed to have car insurance
- Failed to have proper car insurance
- Had 3 or more convictions over the age of 21
Reinstatement
To reinstate your license, you will have to attend an informal or formal meeting with a Secretary of State (SOS) hearing officer. The officer will assess your eligibility and guide you toward further action, including a trial. The hearing will result in the restoration of your driving privileges, the granting of a restricted driver permit, or the denial of your driving privileges.
You could get an informal hearing if your driver's license was suspended for an offense that didn't involve a fatality, a single DUI offense, or penalties handed down for minor moving violations. However, you will require a formal hearing if your license was suspended for an offense involving a fatality or multiple DUI offenses.
Driving on a Suspended License
If people decide to forgo the hearing, or their reinstatement was denied, they might choose to drive despite not having an official license. If your driver's license was suspended, life can be difficult without it. You need your license in order to drive your car to work, school and stores in order to conduct your normal life.
At Chiapelli Law Offices, our Arlington Heights criminal defense lawyers possess the experience and skills to help reinstate your license. As a former prosecutor, our founding attorney has a thorough understanding of the laws and proceedings from both sides of the courtroom.
Penalties for Driving After Suspension or Revocation
Driving with a suspended or revoked license is a serious offense. While you may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor at the least, depending on the circumstance of your arrest, the charge could be increased to a felony. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a maximum jail sentence of one year and a $2,500 fine.
You may be charged with a felony if you were driving with a suspended or revoked license and had previous convictions, such as DUI or reckless homicide. These charges are associated with minimum sentences, meaning you must serve jail time or community service.
Our legal team is familiar with these type of cases and will provide you with honest advice about what's best for you. Do not hesitate to retain our services in order to protect your rights and freedom.
Contact us and schedule your consultation today. Our criminal defense attorney represents clients in Chicago and all surrounding cities.
Hire an Experienced Attorney Today
For some people, driver's licenses are essential to day-to-day living. If yours has been suspended or revoked, let Chiapelli Law Offices take a look at your case. Our skilled Arlington Heights criminal defense lawyers do their best to treat our clients with respect as we work aggressively to defend their rights. Trust us with your case today.