Traffic Violations
Suspended License
DUI DEFENSE
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Driver Defense Team consists of six traffic and DUI defense attorneys that work as a team. We meet daily to discuss our client’s cases, share input, and determine how to best handle each individual case. Our clients don’t just hire one traffic lawyer, they receive the skill, expertise and experience of the entire Driver Defense Team.
The attorneys at Driver Defense Team regularly appear in all fourteen traffic courthouses in Cook County, DuPage County and Lake County. Driver Defense Team’s lawyers are familiar with the rules, people and procedures in the traffic courthouses. This allows us to provide our clients with the most effective legal defense possible.
The Ticket Clinic originated in Miami in 1987. They now have 40 offices in Florida and California and have defended over three million tickets. After expanding to Illinois, Chicago-based attorneys Stephanie and Derek acquired the firm in 2016 and changed the name, but continue to provide outstanding service and deliver excellent results for our clients.
At Driver Defense Team, our Illinois traffic ticket defense attorneys have the skills and experience to protect the legal rights and financial interests of our clients. In Illinois, “Driving Is A Privilege, Not A Right.”—and state authorities can take that privilege away. Our traffic ticket defense lawyers can help. If you were cited for a… Learn More
Learn More >>Driving on a suspended or revoked license in Illinois is a criminal offense. It often results in an arrest and an ongoing criminal case. Although the charges seem pretty straight-forward, the resolution to the case can be quite complex. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is one…
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Some states consider Driving Under the Influence (DUI) a traffic offense. But, in Illinois it is a crime with serious consequences. A person charged with a DUI should be aware of a possible license suspension or revocation, the likelihood of high fines, and even jail. Fighting a…
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We defend drivers. If you were pulled over, got in an accident, or arrested while driving, we can help. We also help you get your driver’s license back if it is suspended or revoked. Driver Defense Team believes in removing the mystery surrounding traffic and criminal defense. When you hire our firm, we are committed… Learn More
Learn More >>In Illinois, driving is considered a privilege - not a right. Traffic tickets can impede your driving privilege and it is important to be aware of the process and how an attorney can help.
In Illinois, there are many different types of traffic tickets, ranging from minor speeding and texting while driving to misdemeanors like aggravated speeding and driving while license suspended or revoked. Whether the violation is considered a petty offense, misdemeanor or felony under Illinois law, it can have serious consequences, including hefty fines and fees, license suspension or jail time.
A Chicago traffic attorney can advocate for you, negotiating directly with the prosecutor and representing you in court. Instead of pleading guilty and paying the fine, your lawyer may get the ticket dismissed entirely, get the fine or fee reduced, or obtain an alternate sentence for you, such as driver’s school or community service in lieu of a fine.
Getting a traffic ticket may not seem like a big deal - but it can have a serious impact on your finances and your ability to drive. If you received a traffic ticket in Chicago, you don’t have to pay the fine and move on - you can fight it. At DDT Law Group, our team of experienced Chicago traffic ticket attorneys will work hard to help you get the best possible outcome for your Illinois traffic ticket.
If you are charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, then you could be facing serious criminal charges that could result in steep fines, the loss of your license, and possible jail time. Fortunately, there are a number of potential defenses to DUI charges.
It is important to take your DUI seriously as Illinois DUI laws can be particularly harsh. A skilled Chicago DUI lawyer can use their knowledge and experience handling these cases to fight for a reduction of your charges - or an outright dismissal. Depending on the facts of your case, your attorney may be able to challenge the basis for the stop, argue that the evidence in your case be suppressed, or demonstrate that the chemical breath or blood test was faulty.
Whether you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor DUI, you will need a seasoned Chicago DUI lawyer to fight for your rights. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, reach out to the DDT Law Group today for a free consultation.
Derek Martin is from the south suburbs of Chicago. He attended Illinois State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Derek worked at a major media company for five years before deciding to enroll in law school.
He attended Chicago-Kent College of Law part-time in the evenings while working full-time during the day. Derek supervised and managed 55 employees at the company, before leaving to practice law full-time.
As a real estate investor since his early twenties, Derek built a law practice managing real estate transactions for investors throughout Chicagoland.
Derek has since co-founded Driver Defense Team where he manages the daily operations of the firm and represents clients each day in all types of traffic defense and DUI matters.
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Stephanie Kemen is a Wisconsin native and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. After graduation, she began law school at The John Marshall Law School in Chicago.
During law school, Stephanie gained valuable trial experience as a felony clerk with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office. After graduation, that experience allowed her to begin working for a private criminal defense attorney soon after passing both the Illinois and Wisconsin bar exams.
Since 2009, Stephanie has worked with some of the most prominent defense attorneys in Cook County. In 2012, she opened her own firm, the Law Office of Stephanie Kemen. Stephanie has built a reputation of providing diligent representation by successfully representing her clients on thousands of criminal and traffic matters.
In 2016, Stephanie co-founded Driver Defense Team where she continues to defend DUI, criminal, and all types of traffic cases.
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Eric Tibbs is originally from Central Illinois and moved to Chicago in 2010. He graduated from the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign in 2003, and received his Juris Doctorate in 2007 from the University of Tulsa.
Eric practiced for three years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Tazewell County, where he was a prosecutor in the Traffic Division. Eric has over ten years of experience with DUI cases, Statutory Summary Suspension hearings, and License Reinstatement hearings. He has been involved in numerous bench and jury trials, involving every type of traffic-related offense. Eric currently resides in the city of Chicago, where he enjoys playing guitar and Playstation 4.
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Prior to joining the team at Driver Defense Team, Kelly was a partner at McSweeney Moore Law Offices. She worked side by side with retired Judge Colleen McSweeney Moore beginning in 2013. Kelly joined McSweeney Moore Law Offices after graduating cum laude from the John Marshall Law School. She attended the John Marshall Law School from 2010-2013 and she was able to complete law school in only two and a half years.
Since being sworn in to the Illinois Bar, Kelly has practiced a variety of criminal law cases; everything from minor traffic offenses to class X felonies. She has participated in bench trials by presenting opening and closing statements, and direct and cross-examinations of various witnesses. She has been successful in completing a number of pretrial hearings on Motions to Quash Arrest and Suppress Evidence, Preliminary Hearings, and Petitions to Rescind Statutory Summary Suspension. Kelly also second-chaired an Attempt First Degree Murder case that was set for a jury trial. Some of the more complicated criminal cases that Kelly is currently working on include Attempt First Degree Murder, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, and Hate Crimes.
During law school, she was a 711 Law Clerk for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. There, she observed hundreds of criminal cases, participated in bench trials and motions, wrote legal memoranda and completed discovery. She was also a law clerk for Goldberg Weisman & Cairo, Illinois’ largest personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm. There, she assisted civil attorneys with legal memoranda, discovery, and court filing. Additionally, she was a judicial extern for the domestic relations judges in the Will County Courthouse where she observed hundreds of domestic relations cases, including divorce, child custody, child support, and domestic abuse. She also had the opportunity to draft court orders and write legal memoranda.
Kelly spent four years on the Executive Board of Directors of the Southwest Bar Association. She was the President in 2020 and remains active in the Association.
Kelly Moore spent one year in Dublin, Ireland prior to attending law school. She waitressed to earn a living and in her free time, she experienced all of the traditions and customs that Ireland had to offer. After Dublin, Kelly backpacked around Europe for 30 days and traveled to more than 10 countries. Her experience traveling gave her the ability to relate and understand many cultures. Before traveling, Kelly attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There she received Bachelors of Arts Degrees in Criminology and Law Studies and Spanish Language and Literature as well as an accompanying Minor in Sociology. Before college, Kelly graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago.
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Tristan Hinriksson is originally from River Forest, Illinois and has lived in the Chicago area for most of his life. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law in 2016 with Juris Doctorate. Before that Tristan served in the United States Army Reserves, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and returning to graduate with his Bachelors from Concordia University Chicago in 2011.
After law school Tristan practiced for two years as a civil attorney focusing on insurance defense matters and family law. In 2018 Tristan became a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney and handled numerous misdemeanor traffic and Juvenile felony matters throughout all stages of litigation until joining Driver Defense Team.
Tristan lives in the near western suburbs of Chicago and enjoys building Legos with his son and reading science fiction.
Experience:
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Inspired at a young age by family members practicing criminal defense law, John has had a lifelong passion for legal defense. John attended Indiana State University graduating Magnum Cum Laude in 2012 with a degree in criminology, criminal justice and political science. While attending Indiana State, John pursued his interest in flight by becoming a pilot.
John then attended Indiana University Robert McKinney School of Law. While in law school, John was admitted to the Dean’s Tutorial Society and tutored other law students. John also participated in moot court, trial team and was awarded two scholarships for his extensive knowledge of tax law.
Upon graduating law school, John become a licensed member of the Indiana State Bar and began working for criminal defense attorneys in Indiana. John represented clients accused of varied offenses from minor traffic tickets to triple homicide. While practicing in Indiana, John also successfully briefed an appeal to the Indiana Court of Appeals. This appellate argument is published in the State of Indiana as case law. During his free time in Indiana, John and family built a tiny house on wheels.
In 2017 John was admitted to the Montana State Bar and started his career with the State Office of Public Defender as an Assistant Public Defender in Great Falls, Montana. During his tenure at the State Office of Public Defender, John’s primary focus was traffic offenses and DUIs. John also represented clients on everything from minor offenses to serious felony charges. While practicing in Montana, John worked with the City of Great Falls to develop the first Mental Health Treatment Court in Cascade County, Montana.
During his free time in Montana John would tend to his llama farm, build log furniture and backpack the many wilderness areas with his family.
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Shahina grew up in Skokie, Illinois and has lived in the Chicagoland area most of her life. She graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2018 with Juris Doctorate.
Before coming to Driver Defense Team, she was a staff attorney for numerous judges at the Cook County Criminal Division for over two years.
While in law school, Shahina clerked for one of the largest and most respected prosecutor’s offices in the United States – Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. As a 711 law clerk, she successfully litigated several bench trials and gained a wealth of experience in advocacy. She also clerked at the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC). She was also a member of Chicago-Kent’s nationally ranked trial advocacy team.
In her spare time, Shahina enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and traveling.
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Colin Gage was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and worked for a private firm where he handled criminal, traffic, and family law cases.
After working privately, Mr. Gage worked for the City of Chicago as a prosecutor in the traffic and administrative hearings divisions prosecuting traffic tickets, code violations, and vehicle impoundments. Over the course of his tenure with the City, Mr. Gage conducted hundreds of vehicle impoundment and Chicago ordinance hearings and prosecuted thousands of these violations.
At Driver Defense Team, Mr. Gage focuses his practice on vehicle impoundments and Chicago code violations. He has been defending these violations for over 2 years.
He is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and Wisconsin and is a diehard fan of the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs.
Maria Barrido is a criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience. She has tried hundreds of bench trials and over 50 jury trials in criminal cases ranging from DUI to 1st degree murder. She prides herself on obtaining the best possible outcome for her clients whether it is a favorable negotiated plea, a hearing on a pretrial motion or a trial.
During her long career, Maria Barrido has enjoyed teaching trial advocacy to both law students and other trial lawyers through the National Institute of Trial Lawyers, Loyola School of Law and the Office of the State Appellate Defender. She graduated from DePaul University and attended law school at Chicago-Kent College of Law where she was a member of a trial team that won a national competition.
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