Q: My son just got 17mph over the speed limit. He is 17years old what are the penalty and can he qualify for supervision

A: Hello Asker,

The penalties for speeding 17 mph over are a fine up to $1,000 though it is never that high unless you miss a court date. Your son is eligible for court supervision for this offense. The only way he wouldn't be is if it were in a school zone with children present or if he had previously received court supervision in the 12 months preceding the issuance date of his ticket (though in practice most prosecutors interpret this to mean in the 12 months preceding the date of your request for court supervision). Assuming neither of these are at issue, he should be eligible for court supervision.

Be forewarned though that he is ineligible for court supervision by mail because according to 730 ILCS 5/5-6-1(n), a parent or guardian must appear in person in court with a minor in order to receive court supervision. In addition, he is required to complete defensive driving school and it cannot be done online in most counties. This is the only thing I can see which would prevent court supervision.

Hope that helps! If you have already mailed in the ticket, I would seriously consider scheduling a consultation with a traffic attorney to verify that it will not suspend his license. Additionally, a traffic attorney may be able to vacate the conviction preventing the secretary of state from making your son ineligible for a drivers license until he is 18 or for 9 months (whichever is shorter).

As I said, these are questions best answered in a phone consultation with a traffic attorney if you have already mailed the ticket in with a plea of guilty.

Sincerely,

Jason A. Wilkins

Attorney at Law

(630) 445-2293