Q: 17 year old with 2 tickets
My 17 year old son received 2 tickets, one for running a stop sign and one for speeding. Both were in Lake County, IL. He paid the stop light violation because he didn't want to go to court. He wants to just pay the speeding ticket because he still doesn't want to go to court but we are trying to explain to him that he will lose his license. I have 2 questions: first will it still be possible to get supervision for the speeding ticket and second, if he does continue to refuse to go to court, for how long will his license be suspended?
A:
Hello Asker,
Thank you for reaching out with your question. Based upon your previous notes, it seems clear his first ticket resulted in a conviction. At that time, you likely received a notice indicating that he must not receive another conviction or else he will be suspended. This is because any person who receives two convictions for moving violations issued before the age of 21 within 24 months of one another will be suspended. As for the exact length of time, it is hard to say with absolute certainty. The minimum will be 1 month. The stop sign ticket is a 20 point offense and the speeding ticket varies depending on the extent of speeding. If he was going over 10mph over the limit, then the minimum recommended suspension under the code would be 3 months.
What I can say for certain is he MUST go to court and you MUST join him. A minor may not receive court supervision absent appearance in front of a judge with a parent or guardian. Additionally, he will need to complete an in person driver improvement class as a condition of his supervision. Whatever you do, do not mail in payment. This suspension is 100% guaranteed to happen if you do.
Even after this suspension is over if it goes into effect, he will be monitored closely. If he receives a new moving violation conviction, he will be suspended 6 months. Upon the next conviction before 21, it will be revoked.
My recommendation would be for his own good to take him to meet with a traffic attorney even if done under false pretenses. He truly cannot continue to neglect these matters and he is on the fast track to losing his license. In our practice as attorneys in traffic court, this more than most criminal offenses will destroy not only job prospects but one's financial independence. In the event that he refuses to go and you wish to protect him, I would DEFINITELY contact a traffic attorney because there are ways that we can save him from his own foolishness without either of you needing to go to court so long as he is 18 years old. In this scenario, it is possible to even reverse and undo the damage he is doing to himself.
Hope that helps and let me know if you have further questions!
Sincerely,
Jason A. Wilkins
Traffic Attorney
(630) 445-2293
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