geko29

This morning my wife got a ticket for 32 over. According to new law from 2011, 31-40 is now a Class B Misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $1500 and/or a jail sentence of up to 6 months. Seems we need an attorney. She's going to call the family lawyer later today (normally handles things like titles/trusts/wills, etc for us), but I'm wondering if we need one that's specific to traffic violations.

I know there are some speeders on here, who do you use?

DIrEctQL

Any lawyer will do. The lawyer will made a deal with a prosecutor and your wife will most likely have to pay ~ $400 dollars, do a traffic class, and perhaps some community service. Really depends but she won't go to jail.

neurocity

iTrader: (17)

Yeah, if its not in your county. Get one that is in that county. They are all buddies (Prosecution and Defense) and will deal on the side at times. An outsider will not help. (Few counties away or even states away)

geko29

My wife talked to our family lawyer, who literally laughed at how worried my wife was (we've been with her for decades, so it's like that ). She's going to meet us there on the court date and take care of it. She's had to do the same thing for her own daughter several times, on one occasion being the third time in a year (supposed to be mandatory suspension), the judge declared that if she got ANOTHER, she'd have to take traffic school.

Thanks for the tip on location Neurocity, it's Cook all the way across (residence, location of incident, and our lawyer). I think we're good. Thanks guys for the quick responses.

lamar411

Was she on the expressway or something? Because i can imagine doing 80ish in a 55 pretty easily and i am really scared of getting a ticket.

DIrEctQL

It doesn't matter if they are buddies or not.. that's what lawyers and prosecutors do.

geko29

This was on the north end of IL-53, where it's 55mph and then transitions down to 45 on the exit ramp to Lake-Cook road. She was clocked at 77, and the location is listed as "Rt 53/Dundee", where it should have still been 55, according to the signage. But the ticket is written for 77 in a 45.

1997Soarer

iTrader: (1)

If anyone needs a good attorney in the future, I recommend Fagan Fagan and Davis.
(Cook county - but they're familiar with dupage and other surrounding counties)
I was in a situation worse than geko's wife, and I walked away paying pocket change.
They're the guys you want to use when you know you've been a very bad boy

1997Soarer

iTrader: (1)

I hate this speedtrap. My friend got caught here last summer. Palatine and A.Hts have patrol rights here as well as ISP

geko29

So the court date was on Friday, and here's how it went:

Our lawyer talked to the State's Attorney (seemed like a pretty chill guy, btw, really laid back and friendly) for a few seconds, explained what happened and that my wife has no record, he immediately agrees to 70/45, $100 fine, supervision. Two cases (that I remember) come up before hers:

First: 50 over, previous offense in 2010 (supervision). $100, supervision, "Slow down, you hear me?"
Second: Lawyer apologizes for his client not being present, asks for a continuance so she can travel from Arkansas to appear.
"Did she have leave to go to Arkansas?"
"I don't honestly know, your honor"
"What's the charge?"
"Prostitution"
After some hand-waving, she granted the continuance

Then my wife gets up there and the lawyers present the agreement. The judge does a complete 180 and wants to throw the book at her, big fine, no supervision, participation in some Illinois victim program. It was so bad even the SA was arguing in her favor. Our lawyer brought up the contention that the ticket was written as being located at 53/Dundee, where the limit is 55. Judge asked the cop what the limit was, he said 45, she asked if he clocked her at least 500 feet past the 45mph sign, he had no idea. She begrudgingly accepted the agreement.

End result: $100 fine, $194 in fees (gotta love that the fees are twice the fine!), supervision. I just couldn't believe the judge flew off the handle like that. But at least it's over