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Hello, I will be your guide and will explain certain issues about going to Traffic Court.
This video will focus on Minor Traffic Offenses. Be sure to read all the information linked
to from this website by clicking on the links below. If you have a Minor Traffic Offense,
that means you have been charged with a violation of the traffic laws in the state of Illinois.
These types of violations are classified as quasi-criminal. These include offenses such
as driving without insurance, speeding, driving a vehicle with a broken taillight or a cracked
windshield, or driving with expired automobile registration. For minor traffic offenses,
you are not entitled to an attorney. However, you may hire one. The judge or a state or
local bar association may be able to refer you to an attorney. Be sure to see the information
on this website about finding an attorney. When you go to court, check in with the judge’s
clerk. Then take a seat and wait for your case to be called. If you have any papers
such as proof of insurance, automobile registration, or proof of car repairs to support your case,
have them out and ready. The judge will call your name in the order in which you checked
in. Lawyers are the exception to this. They will be called first so that they will be
available to try other cases in other courtrooms, if necessary. When your name is called, step
up to the bench. Listen to the judge, and answer any questions that the judge may ask
you. The judge will ask you to either plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty,
your case will be passed to the end of the call, and when the judge is ready, your case
will proceed to trial. If the court finds you not guilty, your license will be returned.
If you have a cash bond, the court will order the clerk to return your bond by mail. If you plead guilty, or if the judge finds
you guilty after a trial, he or she will then proceed to sentencing. The judge will sentence
you in one of three ways.
First, the judge may fine you and place you under court supervision. Supervision is for
a period of four months. If at the end of four months there are no new violations, then
the supervision is terminated satisfactorily, and you will not have to return to court.
This sentence is not a conviction and no points will be assessed against your driver’s license.
Second, the judge may order you to attend traffic safety school. Traffic safety school
is for people who have had a prior supervision within the last year or whose violations are
very serious. Traffic safety school is available in various locations throughout the state.
If you complete the class successfully, then this sentence is not a conviction and no points
will be assessed against your driver’s license. Third, the judge may enter a conviction against
you. The judge will enter a conviction only if the prosecutor advises him or her that
you have a bad driving record that shows a total disregard for the traffic laws of the
state of Illinois. In that instance, the judge will consider a conviction and a fine. Remember,
minor traffic offenses may be punishable by fines up to $2,500 and may require court supervision
or traffic safety school. We would like to highlight a minor traffic offense which is
very common. This common offense is driving without insurance and may result in a fine
up to $1,000. If this is your first driving-without-insurance violation within the last five years, the
court may consider placing you on an order of supervision and assessing a minimum fine.
The sentence would require you to obtain financial responsibility insurance, which is known as
“SR-22 insurance.” Be sure to see the additional information on this website about
sentences. We hope this video helped answer some of your questions about going to court
for a minor traffic offense. Be sure to see information on this website about finding
an attorney. Be sure to explore resources that can help you. Contact CARPLS, the state
or local bar association, and Illinois Legal Aid Online for more information.
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