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The Illinois Secretary of State provides two kinds of administrative hearings for people whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked: formal and informal hearings. Many people who have been through the hearing process before can be denied reinstatement.
It is important for any person dealing with an administrative hearing in Illinois to be sure that they retain legal counsel because an experienced attorney can make a world of difference in the potential outcome to a case. In many cases, people who were denied license reinstatement can achieve more favorable outcomes at new hearings.
Administrative Review of Hearing Decisions
While
Continue Reading How to Challenge an Illinois Secretary of State Decision

People all over Illinois receive citations for a variety of traffic offenses, and they typically have the right to appear in court to contest the charges. While many people choose to represent themselves in these cases, it can be important for a person to consider a lawyer in some situations.
The potential need to secure legal representation often depends on a driver’s unique personal situation and needs.
Different Needs for Different Drivers
Drivers who receive citations may want to hire an attorney so they can have peace of mind that their citation is being handled correctly and they will
Continue Reading Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Traffic Ticket?

In 49 out of the 50 U.S. states, the legal blood alcohol content limit is .08 percent. When an individual is caught driving with a blood alcohol content above this limit, they are considered to be driving under the influence and can face criminal charges. For commercial drivers, the limit is just 0.05 percent alcohol. The amount of alcohol that it takes to be over the legal limit varies from person to person. Many different factors affect BAC, including body weight, the amount of alcohol consumed, food consumption, and the rate of alcohol consumption. For some people, it may only
Continue Reading What is the "Rising Blood Alcohol" Defense in a DUI Case?

In Illinois, one of the most common reasons that a person’s driver’s license is revoked is a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI). When a license is revoked, the license holder is prohibited from driving any motor vehicle. Driving with a revoked license is considered a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense in Illinois. Penalties include steep fines, community service, or even jail time.
Fortunately, the state of Illinois gives drivers a chance to regain either full or partial driving privileges after a revocation. If you want to reinstate your license after it was revoked, you will need to
Continue Reading 5 Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Receiving Driving Relief After a Driver's License Revocation 

The more a truck weighs, the more damage the truck could potentially cause in an accident. Extremely heavy vehicles can also cause damage to roadways. Consequently, Illinois state law limits how much cargo a commercial truck such as a semi-truck can haul.
While the reasons for weight limitations are generally sound, the consequences of operating an overweight commercial vehicle can feel exorbitant. If the truck is found to be overweight – carrying more cargo than allowed by law – then the driver and his or her company can face significant fines. Depending on how far the truck is over its
Continue Reading What Happens If a Commercial Truck Is Overweight?

With the new year comes multiple new laws and regulations in Illinois. One of the most significant pieces of legislation is the most recent amendment to the Illinois is the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T Act). Among many other important provisions, the Act limits when the state may suspend a person’s driver’s license.
Changes Being Implemented to Illinois Driver’s License Suspension Laws
In Illinois, a person’s driver’s license can be suspended for many different reasons. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, having too many driving violations or points on their license, and being involved in a
Continue Reading Illinois SAFE-T Act to Reduce Driver’s License Suspensions

Field sobriety tests are standard tests used to measure an individual’s balance, coordination, and cognitive abilities. They are usually administered by law enforcement officers to determine if a person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Despite their widespread use, field sobriety tests have come under question in recent years for their accuracy in determining intoxication.
If you or a loved one are facing charges for driving under the influence (DUI) after failing a field sobriety test, contact a DUI defense lawyer for help.
Common Field Sobriety Tests
The three main types of field sobriety tests are the walk-and-turn
Continue Reading Are Field Sobriety Tests an Accurate Indicator of Intoxication? 

The term “reckless driving” is often used casually to refer to driving behavior that is unsafe or unpredictable. However, reckless driving has a specific definition under Illinois law and individuals convicted of reckless driving can face serious criminal penalties. If you or a loved one were arrested for reckless driving, it is important to get started on a defense strategy right away. Reach out to an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you understand your options and take the steps necessary to reduce your chances of conviction.  
Illinois Law Regarding Reckless Driving
The law specifically mentions two instances in
Continue Reading What is Considered Reckless Driving in Illinois?

If your driver’s license was revoked because of a DUI or other reason, you will need to attend a hearing through the Secretary of State in order to have it reinstated. There are both formal and informal reinstatement hearings. If this is your first DUI or your license was revoked because of a minor moving violation, you will most likely attend an informal hearing. It is important to prepare for your hearing and take all of the steps required by the Illinois Secretary of State. Your driving privileges depend on it.
Informal Driver’s License Hearings in Illinois
An informal driver’s
Continue Reading What Happens During an Informal Secretary of State Driver's License Reinstatement Hearing?

The drinking age is 21 in the United States. However, this does not stop many teenagers and young adults from drinking before they are old enough to do so legally. Whether due to peer pressure, curiosity, or a desire to look “cool,” underage drinking is not uncommon.
If your child was caught with alcohol or charged with an alcohol-related offense, it is important to understand your rights and options under Illinois law.
Alcohol Possession by Minors is a Criminal Offense
In Illinois, underage people in possession of alcohol can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor criminal offense. While
Continue Reading Underage Drinking: What to Do If Your Child is Arrested

In Illinois, the criminal and administrative penalties associated with drunk driving charges increase with each subsequent DUI offense. For example, many first-time DUI offenders are eligible for court supervision. However, individuals accused of drunk driving for the second time are not typically eligible for supervision. There are mandatory minimum penalties for second-time DUI offenders, including five days in jail or 240 hours of community service.
Defending yourself against DUI charges is especially important if you received a DUI in the past. If you or a loved one were arrested for drunk driving for the second time, make sure to contact
Continue Reading Can I Get Out of a Second DUI? 

Accusations of domestic violence have the potential to be life-changing. In Illinois, domestic battery, assault, and related offenses are punishable by fines and jail time. However, the damage to an individual’s personal and professional reputation caused by a domestic violence conviction is often irreversible. 
If you were accused of abusing a romantic partner or family member, you need to take swift action to protect your rights and safeguard your future. 
Speak With a Domestic Violence Criminal Defense Lawyer 
The first step is to contact a criminal defense attorney who has experience defending against domestic violence accusations. An experienced lawyer can
Continue Reading Accused of Domestic Violence? Take These 5 Steps Now

Everyone makes mistakes, even good people like yourself. In order to erase your criminal records, you must discover which aspects of your criminal history are eligible for expungement (to remove the records) and which are eligible for sealing once you have obtained all the relevant data (to hide the records from the public). 
Read the basics of record sealing and expungement to learn more about your rights and how a Will County Lawyer criminal defense lawyer can help you get the best results. 
How to Seal A Criminal Record
The circuit clerk in the county where the arrests took place
Continue Reading Can I Seal My Record If I Was Convicted of a Criminal Offense in Naperville?  

Commercial driver’s license (CDL) holders need their licenses to make a living. When a CDL violation threatens a person’s commercial driver’s license, it can be anxiety-provoking, to say the least. If you drive a commercial vehicle for your job and you have been accused of a weight violation, a CDL license defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and options. You may be able to mitigate or even eliminate the financial and administrative consequences you face.
Overweight Truck Violations in Illinois
In Illinois, as in every other state, it is against the law to operate a commercial vehicle that
Continue Reading Can a Lawyer Help Me After a CDL Violation? 

If you are accused of possessing a fake ID or a related offense in Illinois, it is important to take the charges seriously. Depending on the circumstances, you could be facing a misdemeanor or felony charge, which could come with significant penalties. Even if you are not convicted of ID fraud, the state has the authority to suspend or revoke your driver’s license.
If you are facing criminal charges or loss of driving privileges because of an ID-related offense, it is important to have a skilled fraud investigation lawyer advocating for you. Your attorney can help you understand the charges
Continue Reading Addressing Accusations of I.D. Fraud in DuPage County

If you lost your license because of a drunk driving charge, you are not alone. Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most common reasons for driver’s license suspensions and revocations. The only way to reinstate a driver’s license and regain the ability to driver after a DUI conviction in Illinois is to meet the Secretary of State’s conditions and prove that you are capable of driving safely.
Many people facing license revocation have a chemical dependency on alcohol. They are not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol for fun; they have tried to stop but cannot. These individuals
Continue Reading How Can Support Groups Like Alcoholics Anonymous Help Me Reinstate My Driver’s License?