Driving with a Suspended License Can Land You in Serious Trouble

 Posted on July 11, 2018 in Traffic Violations

Imagine this scenario: You have had your driver’s license suspended. Perhaps a series of unpaid parking tickets or citations for moving violations such as speeding led to the suspension. Whatever the reason for the suspension, you now have no way of getting back and forth to work. One day, you miss the bus and decide that you will drive your car even though you do not have a valid driver’s license anymore. On the way to work, you are pulled over for a broken taillight and the police officer finds out that you have driven on a suspended license. You may be facing steep fines and even jail time. Now what?

Reasons Your License Could Be Suspended

Driver’s license suspensions in Illinois can be the result of:

• Accumulating three or more moving violations in a year;
• Failing to appear in court;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI);
• Failing to pay fines associated with parking violations;
• Not paying your court-ordered child support;
• Failing to pay tolls; and
• Driving without car insurance.

Criminal Penalties for Driving With a Suspended or Revoked License in Illinois

You may assume that driving while your license is suspended is no big deal and will only result in another ticket or minimal fine. However, driving without a valid driver’s license is a crime, and it can result in significant penalties. The Illinois Vehicle Code classifies driving on a suspended license as a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,500. In most cases, your original suspension will also be extended. Laws regarding a commercial driver’s license suspension vary and violations generally result in more severe penalties.

Driving on a Revoked or Suspended License Can Be Considered a Felony

In some circumstances, continuing to drive with a suspended or revoked license can be charged as a felony. For example, if your license was suspended due to a DUI conviction and you are caught driving during the suspension period, you may be charged with a Class 4 felony. This conviction can result in a fine of up to $25,000 and one to three years in jail, in addition to more time spent under suspension or revocation.

Do Not Hesitate to Contact a Rolling Meadows Traffic Defense Attorney for Help

At Cosley Law Office, we work diligently to clear client’s suspensions or revocations and help them reinstate their driving privileges whenever possible. To speak with an experienced Rolling Meadows traffic violation defense attorney about your case, call 847-253-3100 today. Free consultations are available.

Sources:

https://www.dmv.org/il-illinois/suspended-license.php

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K6-303