I Got Caught Driving on a Suspended License. Now What?

 Posted on January 24, 2023 in Traffic violations

Losing your driving privileges can impact your livelihood and your peace of mind. You may need to run errands or get your kids to school and succumb to temptation by grabbing the keys to the car and driving, just this one time. But having a driver’s license is a privilege, not a right. If you are caught breaking the law by driving on a suspended driver’s license, the legal consequences are serious.

License Suspension

It is unlawful in Illinois for a person to drive or be in physical control of a vehicle if they have had their driver’s license suspended. The penalties associated with violating this statute will vary depending on why the driver’s license was suspended in the first place. A conviction could lead to having your license suspended again or revoked for the same amount of time as the original suspension. It is important that you hire a criminal defense attorney that handles these cases regularly.

Penalties for a Conviction for Driving with a Suspended License

Perhaps you took the risk and drove on a suspended license because you needed to get your children to school on time. But you are taking a big risk. When a driver’s license is suspended, it is taken away for a definite amount of time. These are the penalties for breaking the law:

• First-Time Offenders – This would be considered a Class A misdemeanor. You will have to spend 10 days in jail and may also have to do 30 days of community service. Depending on your situation, you may face up to one year behind bars and fines of up to $2,500.
• Second or Third-Time Offenders – If this is not your first rodeo and you have been arrested for driving with a suspended driver’s license before, it will be considered a Class 4 felony. The legal consequences are more severe. You could be looking at a mandatory sentence of a month in jail or 300 days of community service. In more severe cases, you could wind up in prison for up to three years. 
• Fourth-Time Offender – The court may seize the license plates of the person’s vehicle or make sure that you are not able to move the vehicle on top of additional penalties. If you have any prior violations and cause an accident in which there are injuries or someone dies, it will be considered a Class 4 felony.

Contact an Elgin, IL Suspended Driver’s License Lawyer

Whatever led you to drive with a suspended driver’s license The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola can try to help. Do not let one mistake turn your life upside down. A Kane County suspended driver’s license attorney will be happy to review your case. Call 847-488-0889 for a free consultation.

Source:

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