While aggravated driving might seem like a victimless crime, that’s not the case. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 9,378 people died because of speed-related auto crashes in 2018. Each year thousands of people get traffic citations for speeding. However, there are scenarios where aggravated speeding is more than a traffic ticket and you may be subject to severe aggravated speeding penalties, such as jail time. Aggravated speeding in Chicago is a misdemeanor speeding offense.
If you’re facing an aggravated speeding traffic offense in Chicago, the experienced traffic attorneys at our firm have represented thousands of clients facing excessive speeding charges in Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, Kendall County, Kane County, and throughout the greater Chicago area and we can help you maintain a clean driving record. Aggravated speeding also known as excessive speeding is driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit.
Our skilled Chicago aggravated speeding lawyers have worked on hundreds of cases under the aggravated speeding laws and we’re up-to-date with all current developments. To schedule a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation, contact our Rolling Meadows criminal defense law firm today at (708) 465-1040 or chat with our driver defense team online to learn how we can help.
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Can You Go to Jail for an Aggravated Speeding Ticket in Chicago?
If a law enforcement officer pulls you over at a traffic check for driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit, you could get arrested. This is because driving over the legal speed limit is a criminal offense. But that happens rarely. Most of the time the police officer will give a petty speeding ticket and they may take your driver’s license as a bond.
Arrests for excessive speeding occur when there are aggravating circumstances such as weaving through traffic and endangering other people’s lives, excessive speeds, or not stopping after a law enforcement officer stops you.
If you’re arrested for aggravated speeding, you’ll be processed at the police station and released after you post bond. Often, this is an i-bond, so no cash needs to be posted. Also, the bond could be set where you must post a couple of hundred dollars to be released.
What are the Aggravated Speeding Penalties in Chicago?
A petty speeding offense, including driving 25 miles per hour or less over the legal speed limit, isn’t a criminal charge and you may not spend time in jail for this criminal offense.
Speeding 26-34 miles per hour over the posted speed limit is a Class B Misdemeanor speeding offense, which is punishable by up to 6 months in prison and a monetary fine of up to $1,500 plus legal fees. Further, driving 35+ miles per hour over the posted speed limit is a Class A Misdemeanor speeding offense. A Class A misdemeanor violation is punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a maximum fine of $2,500 plus legal fees.
A person who is charged with a petty speeding offense in a school zone may face a minimum fine of $150 plus court fees and doesn’t qualify for court supervision. This means they may face a mandatory aggravated speeding conviction if they’re found guilty or plead guilty to the criminal charge.
Further, criminal speeding in a construction site is punishable by a minimum monetary fine of $375 plus legal costs. Although jail sentence is the most severe criminal penalty a criminal court judge can impose, additional criminal penalties for aggravated speeding include:
- Community service. This involves independent community service for community service through the Social Services Department, non-profit organizations, and Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program (SWAP).
- Traffic Safety School. This course lasts between four and eight hours.
Of course, hefty fines, mandatory legal fees, auto insurance premium hikes, and a driver’s license suspension are all possible, too.
Often, court supervision is a desirable outcome. However, you must note that a court supervision sentence is at the judge’s discretion and particular criminal speeding offenses don’t qualify for court supervision. The following driving offenses are ineligible for court supervision:
- Reckless driving in a school zone
- A second-time aggravated speeding offense where the offender already has a previous aggravated speeding conviction or court supervision.
- Aggravated Speeding in an Urban district
- More than 2 court supervision sentences on traffic violations within the last one year before the current traffic offense.
An aggravated speeding offender may also face potential consequences to their driving privileges. The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) views a speeding conviction as a strike against your driving privilege. All aggravated speeding offenses carry a minimum of 50 points against your driver’s license.
If you’re an underage driver, two convictions for moving traffic violations occurring within two years can cause a driver’s license suspension. And if you’re 21 or older, three traffic convictions within a year could result in a driver’s license suspension. Having over 110 points under either circumstance can cause your license revocation. A license revocation lasts for a minimum of one year and requires a successful court hearing before the SOS can reinstate your license.
Related: How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Chicago?
Contact Our Skilled Chicago Traffic Lawyers Today for Legal Advice!
The team at Chicago Traffic Lawyers has represented thousands of od clients charged with misdemeanor speeding offenses in Cook County, Dupage County, Lake County, Kane County, Kendall County, Will County, and throughout Chicago and we can help you keep a clean public record. Your aggravated speeding lawyer must be familiar with the local court where your traffic case is pending. We have successfully helped many aggravated speeding offenders get a favorable outcome and we can help you too.
When facing a speeding criminal charge, it’s crucial to seek the legal representation of a skilled criminal defense attorney. If you’re looking for an experienced attorney to help you beat your speeding charges, contact our Chicago criminal defense law firm today at (708) 465-1040 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
