Mchenry, IL asked in Traffic Tickets for Illinois

Q: Will the judge dismiss my speeding ticket, for a first time offense?

I am a WI resident, and got a ticket for going 15 over in IL. The cop even said my record is pristine. I don’t want to just pay the fine, or go to traffic school. If I show up to my court date - could the judge just dismiss it since it’s a first time offense? I don’t want points added to my license, and I don’t want my insurance to go up.

Related Topics:
3 Lawyer Answers
Theodore J. Harvatin
PREMIUM
Theodore J. Harvatin pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: Very unlikely because if everyone’s first offense was dismissed, nobody would ever have a second offense. There may be a few counties that will reduce the charge to a non moving violation but most of them require traffic school or some form of court supervision. If you were in Illinois driver, that would not count as points on your record. You would have to ask a Wisconsin attorney what supervision in Illinois would do to you Wisconsin privileges

A: If it was in McHenry county, you should obtain an attorney to keep this from being a ticket that affects your Wisconsin license. The judge will not just dismiss the case because you have a clean record. Some prosecutors might, others may offer an amendment to a non moving offense so it’s not reported to Wisconsin. Others will not offer any amendment. It depends on which department issued the citation.

You should find an attorney experienced in McHenry county or whichever county this ticket occurred in.

1 user found this answer helpful

Alan E. Jones
PREMIUM
Answered

A: I've practiced in Lake County Illinois (Just South of Wisconsin) for over 30 years and our judges do not just dismiss tickets for people with good records. Sorry. On the other hand, a good driving record is a factor in mitigation that judges will take into consideration in sentencing. So, you'd qualify for court supervision (a non-conviction) and a reasonable fine.

Good luck !!

Al Jones

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.