Do not get Caught Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License

 Posted on May 16, 2023 in Uncategorized

Illinois law provides for a variety of ways that you could lose your driving privileges, some of which may not even be related to driving at all. Fleeing from a police officer, incurring too many traffic violations, not paying traffic tickets or even not paying child support can result in a driver’s license suspension or revocation. Perhaps one of the most common reasons why a person loses their license is because they were arrested or convicted of driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In Illinois, DUI convictions are serious and the penalties are too. Not only do you face jail time and expensive fines, but you also face losing your driving privileges. What can be just as serious, however, is driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.

Criminal Charges for Driving With a Suspension or Revocation

Many people believe that driving while your license has been suspended or revoked is punished simply as a traffic ticket. In reality, if you are caught driving with a suspended or revoked license, you will be charged with a criminal offense, which is much more serious than just getting a ticket. If your license is suspended or revoked because of a DUI charge, the following penalties apply:

1. First Offense: This is classified as a Class A misdemeanor and requires offenders to serve a minimum of 10 days in jail or 30 days of community service. Offenders can face up to $2,500 in fines and mandatory court costs, and their driver’s license will be subject to a suspension that is double the original suspension period or an additional year of revocation if their license was originally revoked.
2. Second Offense: A second conviction is charged as a Class 4 felony unless the original suspension or revocation was due to DUI, reckless homicide, refusing a chemical test or leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury or death, in which case a second offense is charged as a Class 2 felony. Fines can be up to $25,000 and the offender must serve a minimum of 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service.
3. Third Offense: A third offense is charged similarly to a second offense; it is a Class 4 felony carrying a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service. If the original suspension or revocation was due to DUI, reckless homicide, refusing a chemical test or leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury or death, it will be charged as a Class 1 felony.

Avoid a Criminal Charge by Contacting an Orland Park, IL, Driver’s License Reinstatement Attorney

Having your driver’s license suspended or revoked because of a DUI charge can be frustrating, but the worst thing you could do is to keep driving without getting a driving permit. At the Fotopoulos Law Office, we can help you apply for a monitoring device driving permit or a restricted driving permit. When you are eligible, we can also work to have your driver’s license reinstated. Contact our Cook County driver’s license reinstatement attorney today by calling the office at 708-942-8400 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

Cyber Drive illinois

Illinois Compiled Statutes