There are plenty of ways you can get a traffic ticket in Illinois — running a red light, not fully stopping at a stop sign, forgetting to use your blinker while you are turning — the list goes on and on. Traffic tickets can range anywhere from a correctable violation, such as a broken tail light, to felony criminal charges, such as aggravated speeding or reckless driving. For many people, getting a ticket means paying the fine and dealing with the consequences, but in some cases, it can be beneficial to fight the traffic ticket rather than accept it. Some traffic tickets can be charged as criminal offenses and can carry jail time, which is much more serious than just paying a fine. If you have gotten a traffic ticket, it is important that you understand how to minimize the consequences you may face.

Should You Fight the Ticket? Factors to Consider

In some cases, you may want to fight a traffic ticket. In other cases, it is probably best to just pay the fine and move on. Figuring out which route to take can be tricky, especially because each traffic offense carries different consequences. Before you do anything, you must determine if the trouble of fighting the traffic ticket is worth the outcome. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you have sufficient evidence to support your claim in court?

• Do you have the time needed to attend court hearings?

  ...

There is more than one way to lose your driving privileges in Illinois; in fact, there are dozens of ways you could have your driver's license taken away for either a specific or indefinite period of time. Even actions unrelated to driving, such as not paying child support or failing to obey a court summons, can affect your ability to drive freely. Perhaps one of the most common ways for Illinoisians to lose their driving privileges is to accumulate too many points on their driving record because of traffic violations.

The Illinois Points System

Most states have a driver’s license points system that applies to everyone who holds a driver’s license, and Illinois is no exception. In Illinois, each time you are convicted of a moving violation, a certain number of points is added to your driving record. The number of points added depends on the specific violation you were convicted of. Typically, more serious violations will result in a higher number of points added to your record, while lesser violations are not worth as many points. Common moving violations and their corresponding points are as follows:

• Speeding: 5-50 points, depending on how fast you were going over the limit

• Passing a school bus illegally: 25 points

  ...

A suspension of your license means that the state of Illinois has temporarily removed your driving privileges. No matter the cause, unless your license is permanently revoked, your privileges are restorable, either after the set amount of time has elapsed or once the court deems your eligibility again.

Suspension occurs for a wide variety of reasons, including anything from speeding tickets to delinquent child support payments. If you drive on a suspended license, however, then you are likely to face additional, more serious penalties.

How Did My License Get Suspended in the First Place?

License suspension in Illinois is a frequent occurrence. If you fail to pay ticketed fines, such as parking fines or toll charges for an excessive amount of time, your license is jeopardized. Non-driving related offenses put you at risk as well, such as failure to pay child support or breaking visitation regulations. Other behaviors that can result in a suspension include:

Upon becoming the recipient of a traffic ticket in Illinois, many make the mistake of simply paying their fines and going about their daily routine. However, doing so is a guilty plea and results in the addition of points on your license. These points build up and roll off, both affecting your driving record. With too many points, further consequences can be expected.

Earning Points

Unlike other situations in which the objective is to accumulate as many points as possible to win a game, prize, or goal, in this situation, the intention is to remain with little to no points. The addition of these tallies can eventually have adverse effects on your driving privileges, including license suspension. Points are earned with each additional citation with a guilty plea or verdict. The number of strikes received depends on the crime and other factors. A few common errors that result in points are:

• Speeding;
• Following too closely;
• Texting while driving;
• DUI;
• Leaving the scene of an accident;
• Failure to stop at a red light; or
• Reckless driving.

Points Accumulation Results