Getting pulled over by the police and getting a ticket is never fun.
For most tickets, you can just pay a fine — and you might be tempted to, right? It’s the fastest and easiest way to get rid of your ticket so you can move on.
But paying your fine means admitting guilt. Even if you avoid jail time and a larger fine, you could face a license suspension, points on your license, and increased car insurance premiums that, over time, can represent a big chunk of your earnings.
Our Chicago traffic lawyers can help.
Our experienced traffic attorneys at Driver Defense Team exclusively defend drivers charged with traffic violations.
We’re the leading choice for traffic defense in Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County, Illinois, with a proven track record of getting real results.
We don’t doubt that when you choose Driver Defense Team, you’ll know you made the right choice. But we’re not all talk and no action — far from it. See for yourself by giving us a call and get a defense strategy — your GamePlan — tailored specifically to your case.
What Happens if I Plead Not Guilty?
When you plead guilty or no contest to a traffic ticket, you give up your right to fight it. Your other option is to plead not guilty. But what happens when you do?
If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule a hearing, where the police officer who issued your ticket must testify about the circumstances of your traffic stop and alleged traffic violation.
If your traffic violation is a criminal offense — like a DUI or aggravated speeding — you’ll appear before a criminal judge. You have the right to a speedy trial during which the prosecution must prove you committed the violation beyond a reasonable doubt.
Whether you’re charged with a minor violation in traffic court or a more serious criminal offense, going to court can be daunting.
We get it, which is why we’re here for you. Our Chicago traffic ticket attorneys appear in court nearly 6,000 times every year.
We know the court staff, prosecutors, and judges down to their unique quirks, habits, and preferences. And this gives you a massive leg up when it comes to building your defense.
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Traffic Violations We Handle
Our Chicago traffic lawyers cover all common traffic violations. Traffic ticket cases we handle include:
Minor Speeding Tickets
Most of us are guilty of going over the speed limit at some point in our lives. Speeding tickets in Illinois are split into two types: petty speeding and aggravated speeding. Petty (or minor) speeding is the most common.
Unfortunately, a minor speeding ticket can significantly impact your life, finances, insurance premiums, and driving record. But you don’t have to accept your fate and pay the fine. Our Chicago traffic lawyers can help you fight your ticket.
Failure to yield
Failing to yield to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles with the right of way can result in a ticket. Failure to yield is a petty offense punishable by a fine, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight it. We can help challenge your citation so you can move forward.
Stop sign violations
Disobeying a stop sign or failing to stop at a clearly marked stop line can lead to steep fines and points on your license. Our traffic ticket lawyers handle cases for these violations all throughout Chicago and can help you get the best possible outcome.
Following too closely
Tailgating tickets are unique in that they’re often proven solely by eyewitness testimony — and this type of evidence can be shaky. We can help you challenge the evidence against you and will use our knowledge gained from working on thousands of traffic ticket cases to secure the best result for you.
Red Light Tickets
Whether you were pulled up by law enforcement or caught by a traffic camera, a red-light ticket can lead to hefty penalties and points on your license.
If running a red causes an accident or an officer believes you were driving recklessly, you could also face additional charges. Our traffic defense team will work to help you fight the ticket and protect your record.
Texting While Driving
Illinois takes distracted driving seriously. For several years now, texting while driving has been a moving violation, so if you get too many of them, you could have your license suspended. Our traffic ticket attorneys can determine if you’re covered by one of the state’s exceptions on cell phone use and will work to protect your driving record and defend your rights.
Unsafe Lane Changes
The police can issue an unsafe lane change — or improper lane usage — citation in many different situations. On its own, it’s not a jailable offense, but the stakes can be higher when it’s accompanied by more serious charges or when weaving causes an accident. However, the wording of the law leaves a lot of room for interpretation, and there are many valid reasons for exiting a lane. We can determine if these apply and build the best defense to your case.
Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance
Illinois law requires all drivers to have liability insurance. If you’re pulled over and don’t have your policy on hand, you’ll get a traffic ticket for driving without insurance. A conviction can result in a sizable fine and a license suspension, and you’ll also need to pay a reinstatement fee before you can get back on the road.
Our Chicago traffic lawyers can appear in court on your behalf and achieve a favorable result so you can get back behind the wheel as fast as possible.
