Aggravated Speeding Ticket Lawyer in Chicago
Facing an aggravated speeding charge? Get experienced legal help to reduce penalties and safeguard your record.
If you receive a speeding ticket in Illinois, the first thing to determine is how many miles per hour you were driving over the posted limit. Illinois has two main categories of speeding offenses: petty speeding and aggravated speeding. Both can have serious consequences, but aggravated speeding is treated as a criminal misdemeanor and can even result in jail time.
If you have been charged with aggravated speeding in Illinois, we are ready to help. We represent drivers across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, and Will County, and we have extensive experience handling misdemeanor speeding cases. Our team will review your situation, explain your options, and work toward the best possible outcome for your case.
Understanding Aggravated Speeding
Most drivers are familiar with regular speeding tickets, but many do not realize that driving fast enough can turn a simple traffic offense into a criminal charge. Aggravated speeding, sometimes called criminal speeding or excessive speeding, applies when a driver is traveling 26 miles per hour or more above the posted limit.
In the Chicago area, it is common to see traffic moving well above the limit on expressways, but prosecutors and judges do not make exceptions for the pace of traffic. Once you cross the 26 mph threshold, you are no longer dealing with a basic traffic ticket. Aggravated speeding is a misdemeanor offense, and a conviction will leave you with a criminal record.
Illinois law recognizes two levels of aggravated speeding:
- Class B misdemeanor: Driving 26 to 34 mph over the limit. Punishable by up to six months in jail and fines up to 1,500 dollars.
- Class A misdemeanor: Driving 35 mph or more over the limit. Punishable by up to 12 months in jail and fines up to 2,500 dollars.
Because these charges carry criminal consequences rather than civil penalties, it is important to take them seriously and speak with a aggravated speeding lawyer who can help you protect your record and your license. Kovacevic Law can review the details of your aggravated speeding charge, identify weaknesses in the evidence, and work to reduce or dismiss the charges whenever possible. Our experience in Chicago and the surrounding counties allows us to negotiate effectively and protect your driving record from a criminal conviction.
For a free legal consultation with a Criminal Defense lawyer serving the Chicagoland area, call (312) 344-3340.
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Frequently asked questions
Am I eligible for court supervision?
If you are facing a misdemeanor aggravated speeding charge, it may be possible for an attorney to negotiate court supervision on your behalf. Court supervision requires you to complete certain conditions, such as paying a fine or attending Traffic Safety School. If you meet the court’s requirements and avoid additional violations during the supervision period, the case will close without a conviction on your record.
In some situations, an aggravated speeding lawyer may also be able to negotiate a reduced charge, such as petty speeding. While petty speeding is still a moving violation with a potential fine of up to 1,000 dollars and points on your license, it remains a traffic offense rather than a criminal misdemeanor. This helps you avoid the long-term consequences of having a criminal record.
Both court supervision and amended charges are often positive outcomes in aggravated speeding cases. However, the best option depends on your specific circumstances. In some situations, supervision could still affect your ability to drive or impact your employment, especially if you rely on a clean record for work.
Our aggravated speeding attorney in Chicago can review your case, explain whether you qualify for supervision, and help you determine which strategy protects your driving privileges and your future.
Do I need a lawyer if I am charged with aggravated speeding?
While jail time for aggravated speeding is uncommon, it is still a possibility, and the charge can affect your driving record, your insurance, and your future. For that reason, it is wise to speak with an aggravated speeding lawyer who understands how these cases are handled in Illinois.
In many courts, judges and prosecutors will tell you to return with an attorney because aggravated speeding is a criminal misdemeanor. If you try to represent yourself, you may not get the chance to explain your side of what happened unless you plead not guilty and take the case to trial. Even then, the only way to share your version of events is by testifying, which exposes you to cross-examination by prosecutors who will try to undermine your credibility.
Prosecutors and judges can be tough on drivers who were significantly over the speed limit, and the potential consequences can follow you for years. Hiring an attorney who has handled thousands of aggravated speeding cases in Chicago and throughout Illinois is often well worth the investment and can make a meaningful difference in the outcome.
Can an aggravated speeding ticket lawyer appear in court for me?
Often, yes a lawyer can appear for you in court for an aggravated speeding ticket. In many aggravated speeding cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, and Will County, a local attorney can appear on your behalf. This can save you from taking time off work, rearranging your schedule, or dealing with the stress of appearing in a criminal courtroom. We are familiar with local prosecutors and judges can handle your case, negotiate for reductions, and work to prevent a criminal conviction while you continue with your day-to-day responsibilities.
Can aggravated speeding in Illinois be expunged or sealed from my record?
Aggravated speeding is usually not eligible for expungement or sealing in Illinois because it is classified as a criminal misdemeanor. Even a Class B or Class A misdemeanor for aggravated speeding will typically stay on your criminal record permanently unless the charge is amended, dismissed, or you receive court supervision. This is one of the main reasons it is important to work with an experienced aggravated speeding attorney in Chicago. We can negotiate to reduce charges, such as petty speeding, or secure court supervision so the offense does not appear as a conviction. Protecting your record up front is often the only way to avoid long-term consequences.
Will an aggravated speeding conviction impact my insurance rates?
Yes. An aggravated speeding conviction can significantly increase your auto insurance premiums. Because aggravated speeding is a criminal misdemeanor rather than a basic traffic violation, insurance companies view it as a sign of high-risk driving behavior.
- Higher monthly premiums
- Loss of safe-driver discounts
- Reclassification into a high-risk category
- Potential non-renewal of your policy in serious cases
Even a first aggravated speeding conviction can stay on your record permanently unless it is amended, dismissed, or resolved through court supervision. Once your insurance provider sees a criminal speeding offense on your record, they may increase your rates for several years. Some insurers raise rates by hundreds of dollars annually after a serious speeding offense.
Working with an aggravated speeding ticket lawyer can help you avoid these long-term financial consequences. If we can negotiate court supervision or reduce the charge to petty speeding, you may be able to prevent a criminal conviction—and protect your insurance rates from skyrocketing.