Can I Go to Jail for Speeding?

 Posted on October 13, 2021 in Criminal Defense

In Illinois, you could be sentenced to up to a year in jail for speeding - if you were going fast enough. Any speed more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit is a criminal offense known as “aggravated speeding.” This offense is much more serious than a normal speeding ticket. While a speeding ticket can more or less be paid and forgotten about, an aggravated speeding charge typically requires you to appear in court and could carry much heftier fines - or jail time. If you are facing aggravated speeding charges, retaining an experienced traffic attorney should be a high priority. 

What Are the Penalties for Aggravated Speeding? 

This depends on exactly how fast you were going. Aggravated speeding is a Class A misdemeanor if you were going 35 miles per hour or more over the speed limit. It is a Class B misdemeanor if you were going at least 26, but not more than 34 miles per hour over the speed limit. The Class A misdemeanor charge carries up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The Class B version carries up to six months in jail and a $1,500 fine. Clearly, Illinois takes aggravated speeding charges very seriously - and so should you. 

Depending on your pre-existing criminal history, you may also be at risk of losing your driver’s license, especially if you have prior traffic-related convictions such as driving under the influence (DUI). 

Aside from the legal punishments, you are also likely to see increased car insurance rates, and you will be left with a criminal record. Having a criminal record can have a long-term negative impact on your educational and career prospects. 

What Other Offenses Might Also Be Charged? 

In many cases, defendants who are charged with aggravated speeding are also charged with reckless driving. This usually happens when aside from speeding excessively, drivers are also engaging in other risky behaviors, such as weaving in and out of traffic on the freeway or running stoplights. Reckless driving is also a Class A misdemeanor, carrying the same potential penalties as aggravated speeding more than 35 miles per hour over the speed limit. If you have been charged with both, it is doubly important to secure legal representation. Even if one of the charges does not stick, you could be convicted of the other. 

Call a Cook County Speeding Offense Lawyer

If you have been charged with aggravated speeding or reckless driving, it is important that you find an experienced and capable attorney. Penalties for these offenses in Illinois can be severe. Moretti Law, P.C., will fight for a good outcome to your charges, whether that means negotiating a plea bargain to keep you out of jail or getting your case dismissed. Call a Chicago speeding offenses attorney at 312-861-1084 for a free consultation. 

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-601.5