Challenging Your Traffic Ticket
The vast majority of people will admit to their traffic offense and listen to the officer’s advice to “pay the ticket and move on.” What they don’t realize is that the officer is not there to help them and that they can negotiate the ticket with the prosecutor.
Whether or not you have admitted to speeding, aggravated speeding, driving through a stop sign, driving without insurance, reckless driving, DUI/drunk driving, driving with a suspended or revoked license, or another traffic violation, you can and probably should challenge it. Here’s why:
- Driving convictions can suspend your license. Your eligibility for supervision is limited. If you start to accumulate convictions, your license can be suspended. Even if your record is clear, it is important to protect it.
- Traffic tickets are costly. Beyond significant fines, if you don’t fight your ticket, your insurance may go up.
- Illinois has been cracking down on high speeds. If you were caught going more than 25 mph over the speed limit (aggravated speeding), you don’t just risk losing your license — you risk having a misdemeanor on your record.
- You may risk losing your job. If you have a CDL, even a mere stop sign ticket can put your employment at risk.
- In an accident? All the more reason to fight. There are significant repercussions for traffic accidents that involve alleged wrongdoing.
Don’t Accept Your Traffic Ticket. Fight It.
There are defenses to even the most obvious traffic violations. If you were caught speeding, we may be able to challenge your radar results. If an officer was “pacing” you (following you to see how fast you were going), you have all the more reason to fight, since many judges frown upon pacing.
Sometimes, officers make mistakes. If they don’t complete the citation properly, it may be possible to throw the ticket out. At our law office, we pay attention to the details. If it makes sense to take pictures at the scene of the alleged offense, we will.
Many times, these cases come down to a lawyer’s knowledge of Illinois traffic law and ability to negotiate. As a former prosecutor for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, Mr. Kopp knows how prosecutors approach these cases. He can use that knowledge to help you protect your license, your finances and possibly your job.
Learn How We Can Challenge Your Ticket
We’re committed to helping good people keep their licenses. Call 630-749-2919 to schedule a consultation with John R. Kopp. You can also send us an email. Located in Geneva, we have meeting spaces throughout Chicagoland.