Q: Out of state and I got a 52 in a 35 work zone speeding ticket I have a mandatory date what do I need to know and do?

A: What you are looking at depends on the prosecutor.

That is why you need to hire a traffic attorney who practices in the court where the case is to be heard.

You should contact the Clerk of Court to find out if they will continue your case to a trial date if you send in a not guilty plea by mail.

If they do, this might save you an extra trip.

A: Speeding in a construction zone carries a minimum $375 fine plus court costs. Court costs vary depending on the county/courthouse. An attorney may be able to appear on your behalf to resolve the matter and ensure a favorable result. Contact a local attorney to discuss the specifics.

A: Hello Asker,

As for costs, Mr. Davis is correct in his statement that the minimum fine is $375. This however does not include court costs and the amount may well go above that amount depending on the county. As for specific amounts, its safe to say that the court costs in the Chicagoland area vary from a low around $170 to a high of closer to $250 but this is just an estimate based upon my experiences. Because it is a construction zone speeding ticket, a court appearance is required. This means either you or an attorney MUST appear on the court date. Because it is a petty ticket (one in which it is only punishable by fine), you may arrange for the attorney to appear on your behalf avoiding the need to travel to Illinois to litigate this ticket.

My recommendation would be call around and see the rates for local representation in the area where you have court. Weight the costs and benefits of hiring an attorney for both your time and for the sake of protecting your record. Then make a decision based upon that. I would also contact some attorneys in your state and inquire as to the impact of such a violation in Illinois. For drivers in some states like Wisconsin, I've found that in many cases such violations are rarely seen as a basis for penalizing drivers. In other states, even minimal punishments in Illinois are treated harsher outside Illinois. It varies wildly and you would do well to inform yourself.

One topic in particular I would ask about is how "court supervision" (as it is known here) or "deferred sentencing with a finding of guilt" (a phrasing that may make more sense to a non-Illinois attorney) from Illinois is seen in your state. This is a lighter punishment that helps to minimize the effect on your record and it may help in this situation. Some states respect our laws which offer lighter penalties and others don't. Having a dialog with a local attorney in your state who is familiar with how out of state tickets can affect you can ensure that you can make a fully knowledgeable decision how you would like to handle this matter.

Let us know if you have any additional questions and I hope this helps!

Sincerely,

Jason A. Wilkins

Traffic Attorney

(630) 445-2293