Q: First speeding ticket. Going 65mph in a 35mph zone on my motorcycle at 9:30PM on a quiet road in IL. What can I expect?
I am a 19 year old male with a sports bike (2014 Ninja 300 - first bike - been riding for about 6 months) in Edwardsville IL. I was picking up a few groceries and was excited because I had a date that night. I wasn't paying attention and didn't realize how fast I was going and never checked my speed when I saw the cop. On a motorcycle you accelerate so much quicker and 65 mph does not feel like 65 mph, more like 45 mph. I was just cruising, jamming out to some music and coming out of a corner and just rolled the throttle a bit and the cop was right up ahead. There are no sidewalks or houses on this road. It is just a road leading out of campus with open grass on either side and a few trees. I need my license to get to college and my job requires me to be able to drive/ride. My motorcycle and car insurance are with different companies. Could it raise both insurances or only the motorcycles? Will I be able to get court supervision? What are my options and what is your reccomendation?
A:
First, you can expect a number of things. Speeding 26-34 mph over the limit is what is known as a class B misdemeanor under the Illinois Vehicle Code. It is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and or a fine of up to $1500. While these extreme penalties are rare for many drivers, the nature of their seriousness results in the need to have an attorney present to resolve the case. Additionally, by statute, Class B Speeding offenses are not eligible for supervision and MUST enter as a conviction.
If you attend court on this matter yourself, it is very likely you will be told to return with an attorney. Depending on the county, it may be possible to secure what is called an amendment. This essentially is an informal agreement with the prosecutor to prosecute the offense at a lower level speed for which supervision is an eligible punishment and the offense is no longer a criminal misdemeanor. At the current time, you cannot by law receive court supervision without some kind of amendment.
Court supervision will not result in a rise in insurance rates because it is not published on a public record nor is it available to most employers. It will also not count as a conviction. A conviction not only is public but also can risk a suspension. Receiving two moving violation convictions in a 24 month period if you are under 21 is an automatic suspension which will last at least 3 months based on what you are describing. In short, a conviction here is a serious risk of future suspension because the rule is so harsh to persons under 21. Lastly, you will need to take traffic school and it will likely need to be in person.
My recommendation is that you seek out an attorney in hopes of securing an order of court supervision by way of an amendment because the risk of conviction is very serious at your age for your license, criminal record, and insurance rates.
Hope that helps!
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