Belleville Traffic Violations Lawyer

Traffic violations may not seem like a big deal, but what many Illinois and non-Illinois residents don’t realize is that they may face serious consequences as a result. Some traffic violations in Illinois are charged as felonies, and that can come with prison sentences that put you behind bars for years. Reckless driving actions that cause harm to someone else, leaving the scene of a fatal accident, or subsequent convictions for driving on a revoked license are major offenses, and without a lawyer experienced in defending traffic offenses, you could face harsh penalties.

The Conner Law Firm defends the range of charges from simple speeding, to serious traffic charges like those above, in St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison Counties, and throughout southern Illinois, protecting your driving privileges and keeping traffic violations from becoming convictions. Make your first call to Erin K. Conner, an experienced defense attorney who knows how the prosecution works, and can mount your strongest defense.

Serious Misdemeanor and Felony Traffic Charges

Illinois reckless driving charges and penalties can be an extremely serious scenario that puts your future and freedom at risk. Many people are surprised to learn that what they thought would be a traffic ticket turns out to be serious misdemeanor, or felony charges punishable with prison time. You might know you need a DUI defense lawyer if you’ve been accused of drinking and driving, but you’ll most certainly need an experienced traffic violations attorney for any of the following traffic charges:

Aggravated Reckless Driving

Aggravated reckless driving is a Class 4 felony, punishable with 1 to 3 years in prison. If you are charged with causing great bodily harm or disfigurement, the charges are upgraded to a Class 3 felony with between 2 to 5 years of prison. When aggravated reckless driving harms a child or a school guard that results in bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement, it is also a Class 3 felony.

Leaving the Scene of an Accident

Illinois law requires anyone in a car accident to remain on the scene and exchange information. Leaving the scene of an accident after causing someone else injury is charged either as a Class 2 or Class 4 felony, depending on the severity of injuries sustained by the victim.

Leaving the scene of an accident that has resulted in someone’s death is a Class 1 felony. If convicted, you’d be sentenced to 4 to 15 years in prison for this offense.

Driving on Suspended/Revoked License (625 ILCS 5/6-303)

Those who have had their driver’s license suspended or revoked should not be behind the wheel. If you are pulled over and issued this charge under 625 ILCS 5/6-303, you may be in for a Class A misdemeanor, but subsequent offenses could face enhanced charges of a Class 3 or Class 4 felony. The wide potential for punishment here depends on whether you have any prior convictions and the reason behind your original license suspension.

When you’re facing traffic violation charges, it can feel overwhelming, especially if you didn’t realize that you could spend considerable time in jail or prison for these violations. With Ms. Conner on your side, you’ll have strong defense to counter these charges and best protect your driving and criminal history from convictions.

If your driving history is already plagued by a suspension or revocation, The Conner Law Firm has experience assisting clients with restoring their driving privileges in Illinois.

Defense Strategies

After being arrested for any of these traffic violations, the first thing to do is call The Conner Law Firm. Retaining our firm quickly ensures that you get the strongest defense possible in your corner. With a Belleville traffic violations lawyer who understands how the prosecution works, you’ll have someone to take an aggressive stance against the state’s charges.

Defense strategies in traffic cases depend largely on the facts of your case. In some cases, the police department issues citations after a lapse in time, assuming that you as the owner of the vehicle were the driver at the time of the alleged conduct. In others, the identification of the vehicle itself could be mistaken.

When the evidence against you is solid, it’s not a lost cause. The Conner Law Firm will negotiate to get your charges reduced or for court supervision instead of convictions, probation, or other harsh penalties. If court supervision is the outcome achieved in your case, and you successfully complete the term without new infractions, the incident will not become a part of your permanent driving record.

Criminal Defense Lawyer

Call (618) 277-2421 or contact the office online to schedule your initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a felony in Illinois?

Reckless driving is most often charged as a Class A misdemeanor in Illinois, which may provide up to 364 days in jail along with $2,500 in fines if convicted. When reckless driving causes someone else great bodily harm, disfigurement, or permanent disability, the charges become more serious as a Class 4 felony. If there are aggravating factors, such as causing bodily harm to a child or a school crossing guard who is on-duty, you will face a Class 3 felony.

What happens if I leave the scene of an accident in Illinois?

If you leave the scene of a car accident in Illinois, you may have physically gotten away, but your peril has just begun. Where there is serious bodily harm or death, police departments will likely allocate significant resources to identifying the vehicle and driver who fled. Leaving the scene of an accident is a huge risk, one that has the potential of taking your license, and in some circumstances, placing you in the Illinois Department of Corrections for years.

Punishments vary depending on the circumstances of the accident. If you only cause property damage, such as hitting a parked car, and then leave, you could face a Class A misdemeanor that has a potential for jail time and up to $2,500 in fines. When the accident hurts another person or someone dies, you could face a felony charge, with between 1 and 15 years in prison, depending on the extent of injuries or resulting death.

Contact The Conner Law Firm

Traffic crimes can be more serious than you realize. Whether the goal is to avoid conviction on minor moving violations such as speeding, or avoiding revocations or suspensions imposed in cases like reckless driving, it is time to get The Conner Law Firm on your side. The Conner Law Firm defends traffic charges in St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison Counties, and throughout southern Illinois, protecting your driving privileges and keeping traffic violations from becoming bigger problems.

Get the traffic defense you need today. Call 618-277-2421 for a free consultation to learn your options for fighting traffic citations.