For the third time since 2011, Illinois has stiffened the laws against speeding. Now, you can be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor if you speed 35 miles or more above the limit.
Speeding first became criminalized as a misdemeanor in 2011. In 2011, driving 31 to 39 miles over the limit was upgraded to a Class B Misdemeanor, while speeding 40 and over became a Class A. On January 1, 2013, driving 25 miles over the limit became enough to trigger the Class B Misdemeanor. While a Class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail, a Class A is punishable by up to one year. Both carry maximum fines of $2,500.
Under current law, speeding 26 to 34 miles over the limit is a Class B Misdemeanor, while 35 and above is a Class A. You cannot receive supervision for these offenses. Supervision is essentially a warning to stay out of trouble and is not considered a conviction for criminal law or insurance purposes. Therefore, if you plead or are found guilty of speeding over 25 miles, you will have a conviction.
If you are charged with a speeding or other traffic or criminal offense, you should contact an experienced attorney immediately. An attorney can review the facts of your case to see if you have a defense. Even if you do not, an attorney who enjoys a good reputation in the court house may be able to obtain a better plea arrangement than you can on your own.
If you have questions about this or another related criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.
(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)
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Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).
Illinois Jurisprudence: Criminal Law and Procedure. Vol. 1. (LexisNexis 2014).