Out of all of the various traffic offenses you could be charged with, speeding is by far one of the most common offenses committed. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were an estimated 1,031 traffic deaths in Illinois in 2018, and 42 percent of those deaths were due to speeding-related traffic accidents. Speeding is a dangerous driving habit, which is why many states—Illinois included—have strict laws regarding speeding. Some speeding tickets result only in a fine, but there are some instances where a speeding ticket could also result in more serious misdemeanor charges upon conviction.
Speeding Offenses in Illinois
Most of the time, being pulled over for speeding will usually just result in a speeding ticket that comes with a fine of a couple hundred dollars. If you do not agree with the officer that you were speeding, you can contest the ticket, but it often costs more and is more of a headache to contest it than to simply pay the ticket.
However, if you are pulled over for speeding and the officer found that you were driving 26 mph or more over the speed limit, they can choose to charge you with a misdemeanor crime. If you are speeding 26 mph or more, but less than 35 mph over the speed limit, you can be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. If you are speeding 35 mph or more over the speed limit, you can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.
Penalties for Speeding Tickets
In Illinois, a Class B misdemeanor comes with the possibility of up to six months in jail and between $75 and a maximum of $1,500 in fines. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious of misdemeanors and comes with the possibility of up to one year in jail and between $75 and a maximum of $2,500 in fines. Even though jail time is a possibility, it is more likely that you will serve a sentence of court supervision in lieu of jail time. Court supervision is a sentence that allows you to attend traffic school and pay a fine, rather than being convicted. At the end of a successful court supervision period, your charges would be dismissed, allowing you to avoid a conviction.
Contact Our Crystal Lake, IL Speeding Ticket Attorney Today
Though it may seem like a victimless crime, speeding is dangerous and could result in serious criminal charges in certain situations. If you have been charged with speeding in Illinois, you should discuss your case with our McHenry County speeding ticket lawyer. At Botto Gilbert Lancaster, PC, we know how a speeding charge can affect a person’s life, and we will strive to help you stay behind the wheel. Contact our office today at 815-338-3838 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh%2E+11+Art%2E+X&ActID=1815&ChapterID=49&SeqStart=122400000&SeqEnd=124000000
https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812932