Q: Is there a rule about the time between traffic school completion and the next traffic violation?
When I was 20 I received 2 traffic violations (speeding 15 mph over the limit and a stop sign violation). I took an online traffic school course to remove the second ticket. I seem to remember some rule stating that another ticket within 24 months would nullify this and the ticket would go back on my record. Is this true? My memory may be faulty.
A:
Yes, this period you are thinking of is called court supervision. The way court supervision works is that it keeps a conviction from entering in exchange for a period of no new violations and compliance with payment of fines and other court orders. Ordinarily, this period lasts around 1 two 12 months maximum though it is legally possible to be up to 24 months. Based upon the tickets you received, your supervision period was no more than 6 months. It is very likely you were not on supervision for 2 years.
So to provide a long form answer, yes, your memory is faulty. The 24 month thing you are likely remembering is the rule for suspensions for persons under 21 years of age. In the event that someone receives two moving violation convictions, the secretary of state MUST suspend their license for a term of not less than 1 month and often for at least 3 months.
What CAN happen is that if you violate the terms of your suspension, you face the potential penalty of a revocation of your supervision, entering of a conviction, and the potential suspension if that two ticket conviction limit is met. If you fail to pay all required court fines, fail to go to traffic school when required, or receive another ticket in the supervision period, you are at great risk of suspension and you should seriously consider speaking to an attorney who handles traffic cases to assess the health of your license.
Hope that helps!
Jason A. Wilkins
Attorney at Law
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