Experienced Waukegan Traffic Ticket Lawyer Ready To Serve You
Are you burdened with a pile of traffic tickets or facing a revocation of your license? The congested urban areas surrounding the Waukegan community are prime real estate for moving violations, parking tickets, and similar charges that can quickly add up to hefty penalties or license suspension. Get back in the driver’s seat when it comes to protecting your rights, and contact The Jordan Law Firm today.
Our skilled legal practitioner, Anisa Jordan is a knowledgeable Waukegan traffic ticket lawyer who has extensive experience resolving the multitude of issues associated with traffic tickets and related matters. Don’t let a few minor charges turn into a major headache—or worse. Our Waukegan traffic violation lawyer will use her experience and resources to reduce your stress, save you time and money, and keep you on the road.
Do You Need a Waukegan Traffic Lawyer?
If you have a few pending traffic violations, you may be wondering why you need an experienced traffic ticket lawyer when it comes to something as straightforward as a mere traffic ticket. Can’t you just mail it in yourself? In some limited instances, this can be a feasible approach if done in a timely and appropriate manner. However, in a majority of the cases the firm handles, doing so can result in elevated insurance premium charges and potentially license suspensions or revocations. Of course, not every traffic offense is the same, and with the trained analysis of a knowledgeable Waukegan traffic violation attorney, you can increase the odds that you will retain your license, time, and money.
The most common situation that individuals experience in the Chicago-area judicial system are those that involve traffic tickets. Although the majority of offenders do not consider traffic violations to be a major issue, they can potentially affect your permanent driving record, and insurance rates, and can result in the inconvenient and costly suspension of your driver’s license.
For example, according to a recent report, the total cost of a speeding ticket can be as high as 6.85 times the ticket’s state fine amount. This is because the insurance company will take the speeding ticket into account when assessing your overall risk profile.
Accruing multiple tickets can also result in the suspension of your license. Illinois uses a point system, which assigns a value to each type of traffic offense. However, unlike many other states, a driver’s license suspension does not stem from reaching a certain number of points. Instead, the Secretary of State will automatically suspend your license if you get three moving violations within any 12-month period. The number of points you’ve accrued will then determine the severity of the suspension. Notably, not every ticket is a moving violation. For example, a ticket for a broken headlight is an equipment violation, or a “fix-it” ticket, which will not count towards the three-ticket limit.
Additionally, it is a criminal charges offense in Illinois to operate a motor vehicle with a suspended license. This can make it extremely hard to get to work or school. If you are a commercial driver, a suspended license could result in a substantial loss of income or even cause you to lose your job. If your license is suspended, you will need to pay a fee to get it reinstated, and the reinstatement fee can be as high as $500. Consulting with an experienced Waukegan traffic ticket attorney at The Jordan Law Firm can make all the difference when it comes to avoiding these negative outcomes.
The Jordan Law Firm provides exemplary legal counsel to clients facing large and small traffic offense charges throughout the surrounding communities of Waukegan, Illinois. This vast experience in efficiently resolving these issues in several local courts enables the firm to leverage innovative strategies to best protect clients from the financial and punitive damage that may be associated with a traffic conviction. The Jordan Law Firm has extensive experience in assisting individuals fighting traffic tickets associated with a wide range of traffic violations, including, but not limited to:
- Aggravated speeding (26 MPH and over the designated speed limit);
- Commercial driver’s license violations;
- Rolling through a stop sign;
- Disregarding a traffic signal, such as a red light;
- Driving with a suspended license or driving without a license;
- Driving without liability insurance;
- Failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision;
- Failure to yield the right of way;
- Failure to yield to an emergency vehicle – also referred to as a “Scott’s Law” violation;
- Failure to yield to pedestrians;
- Following too closely;
- Improper lane changes or failing to stay within lanes; and
- Reckless driving.
Regardless of the type or number of traffic tickets you have, the aggressive Waukegan traffic ticket legal practitioner at the Jordan Law Firm can help. We have experience assisting clients from all walks of life reduce the amount of fees they owe and keep their licenses.
Illinois License Suspensions Related to Minors
Illinois traffic laws are especially strict when it comes to minors under the age of 21. Rather than suspend a minor’s license after they’ve received three tickets in 12 months, the Secretary of State requires automatic suspension after a minor receives two tickets in a 24-month period. Additionally, probationary licenses are unavailable for minors. That said, it may be possible for a minor to obtain a restricted license, which allows a minor to go to and from work.
Why Choose the Jordan Law Firm?
Our experienced lawyer, Anisa Jordan, the founder of The Jordan Law Firm, understands the stress and emotion associated with traffic offenses. She has extensive litigation experience – handling hundreds of cases and earning a well-deserved reputation as a skilled, aggressive, and professional trial legal practitioner. Let our Waukegan traffic violation lawyer utilize her deep understanding of the justice system to assist you in maximizing the chances of achieving a favorable outcome in your case. As a former prosecutor, she is familiar with the tactics the prosecution will use throughout your traffic offense case and can effectively advise you on the legal options available to you. The Jordan Law Firm offers all prospective clients a free consultation, in which we can answer your questions and explain what we can do to help.
Do You Have Automated Red Light or Speeding Tickets?
Red light cameras are increasingly common. As are other forms of automated ticketing, such as speed-checking machines. If one of these devices documents that your vehicle was in violation of a traffic law, you will be sent a ticket in the mail. The good news is that an automated red-light ticket is not considered a moving violation and will not add points to your record. However, if you fail to pay an automated ticket, your license can be suspended for failure to pay alone.
Of course, there are defenses to automated traffic tickets, the most common being that you were not driving at the time the offense was committed. However, you should not expect that your word alone will get you off the hook. An experienced Waukegan traffic violation attorney can help you understand the best way to tackle these violations so you do not risk losing your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can a Waukegan Traffic Ticket Lawyer Help Me?
Opposing your traffic citation in court yourself is your right. However, you should consider seriously whether you are up to the challenge before going into court. Traffic court proceedings are technical legal matters. You would not attempt an emergency appendectomy unless you are a general surgeon. In the same vein, you should not attempt to litigate your traffic citation without a knowledgeable Waukegan traffic ticket lawyer by your side.
You might think representing yourself will save you money in the long run because you won’t have to pay for lawyer’s fees. However, having an attorney represent you is the best way to avoid paying large fines or having to live through a lengthy license suspension.
A skilled Waukegan traffic ticket legal practitioner like Anisa Jordan can work to negotiate a reduced penalty to both help you keep your license and pay a reduced fine if you suffer any penalty at all. If your best option is to contest your ticket at a hearing, then having a former prosecutor like Anisa Jordan represent you gives you the best chance for a favorable outcome.
What Is Illinois’s Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)?
The PDPS is a nationwide database that identifies people who encountered serious driving violations in other states. If you ever had your driver’s license suspended, revoked, canceled, or denied, then your information appears in this database. Thus, if you move to Illinois from another state and try to get a driver’s license, the Illinois DMV will run your information through PDPS to see if another state suspended your privilege to operate a motor vehicle.
Some time ago, driving violations would not catch up with you if you moved to another state. Now they do. Therefore, having a clean Illinois driving record is important if you want to move out of state. Your new residence will review your Illinois driving record for violations and could deny you driving privileges. Additionally, applicants for commercial driver’s licenses must have a clean driving record. Illinois will run your name through PDPS for a match.
The easiest way to avoid having your driving history follow you from state to state is to keep your record clean. Therefore, if you get a ticket for a serious moving violation, you should contact Waukegan traffic ticket lawyer Anisa Jordan for help right away. Anisa will analyze your case to determine your best options. She will vigorously pursue every defense available to you to give you the best chance to beat your Waukgean traffic ticket.
How Do I Increase My Chances of Beating a Ticket or Paying a Reduced Fine?
Nearly every motorist gets pulled over at least once in their lifetime. Even the most conscientious drivers make mistakes. It’s not the end of the world—as long as you behave properly.
You never have to talk with a law enforcement officer, no matter how polite they are to you. You do not have to respond to their questions about why they pulled you over or if you know how fast you were going. You certainly don’t have to answer any questions about whether you were drinking or where you are coming from. Notwithstanding, there’s no need to be rude.
Stopping a vehicle is one of the most dangerous things for a police officer to do. They are usually on edge because they don’t know what danger you present. Don’t escalate the tension by yelling or swearing. You can politely decline to answer any question. You must sign the traffic citation when the officer gives it to you as proof you received it. Signing the ticket is not proof of guilt.
You might have the urge to argue with the officer if you believe they cited you unlawfully. Resist the temptation to argue. Instead, fight it out in court with Waukegan traffic ticket attorney Anisa Jordan by your side. You stand a better chance to receive a reduced fine or get away with a warning if you were polite and cooperative even though you asserted your rights. A judge will respect you more for being polite and could be more easily persuaded to cut you a break than if you act aggressively.
Consult An Experienced Waukegan Traffic Ticket Attorney Today
Our experienced legal team also handles other criminal charges offense cases including:
- DUI Legal Matters
- Driver’s License Suspension and Revocation
- Assault & Battery
- Identity Theft
- Drug Crimes
- Gun Crimes
- DCFS Appeals
- Record Expungement & Sealing
In addition to the administrative penalties of traffic tickets, DUIs carry criminal penalties, including significant fines, probation, and even jail time. Thus, it is imperative that you reach out to a dedicated Waukegan traffic lawyer if you were recently arrested for a drunk driving offense.
Traffic offenses should not be taken lightly. You deserve the best legal counsel who will zealously and effectively protect your rights and increase odds that you are able to retain your right to operate a motor vehicle and avoid the various fines and penalties associated with unresolved traffic convictions. Waukegan Traffic Ticket Attorney Anisa Jordan is ready and willing to utilize her extensive experience in assisting clients with solving their traffic offense issues in the most stress-free and cost-efficient manner possible. For a free and comprehensive case evaluation, contact The Jordan Law Firm online or give us a call at (224) 340-6522.