Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

Driving on Suspended or Revoked license cases are among the most common cases you will see on a typical day in most criminal Courthouses. This is especially true in Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County. Most people believe that if they are pulled over by a police officer for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License, they will receive a simple speeding ticket and all they have to do is pay the fine and everything will go away. However, what most people do not know, until it happens to them, is that Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License is a crime in Illinois with serious criminal consequences and consequences with the Secretary of State that could lead to further license suspensions and revocations.

The crime of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License can be found at 625 ILCS 5/6-303. You can be guilty of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Illinois if you are an actual physical control of a motor vehicle when your driver’s license, permit, or privilege to do so, or the privilege to obtain a driver’s license or permit is revoked or suspended. If your privilege to drive in Illinois is suspended, you can be guilty of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License if you are caught driving in Illinois, even if you have a valid license from another state. An example would be driving in Illinois during a Statutory Summary Suspension after you are arrested for a DUI in Illinois. You cannot drive in Illinois during a Statutory Summary Suspension unless you have a BAIID (Blood Alcohol Interlock Ignition Device) installed on your vehicle even if you have a valid license from another state.

Criminal Penalties for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

The potential penalties for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Illinois depend on a variety of factors. The potential penalties for driving on a Suspended or Revoked License depend on why your license is suspended or revoked and how many previous cases you have had for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License. A case for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License can even be charged as a felony. In addition to serious criminal penalties, the Illinois Secretary of State may extend or continue your license suspension or revocation for a longer period of time.

• First Violation for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License: Class A Misdemeanor. Up to 364 days in County Jail and a maximum fine up to $2,500. Eligible for Court Supervision.
• Second Violation for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License: Class A Misdemeanor. Up to 364 days in County Jail and a maximum fine up to $2,500. Not eligible for Court Supervision. Must serve a minimum of 100 hours of community service.
• Third Violation for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License: Class A Misdemeanor. Up to 364 day in County Jail and a maximum fine up to $2,500. Not eligible for Court Supervision. 30 consecutive days in County Jail or a minimum of 300 hours of community Service.
• If your License was Suspended or Revoked based on a DUI, here are the potential penalties you could be facing:
• First Violation for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License Because of a DUI: Class A Misdemeanor. Up to 364 days in County Jail and a maximum fine up to $2,500. Eligible for Court Supervision. Must serve 10 days in County Jail or 10 days (240 hours) of Community Service.
• Second Violation for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License Because of a DUI: Class 4 Felony carrying a potential prison sentence of 1 to 3 years. A minimum of 30 days in jail or 300 hours of community service.
• Third Violation for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License Because of a DUI: Class 4 Felony carrying a potential prison sentence of 1 to 3 years with a mandatory minimum of 30 consecutive days in jail that cannot be replaced with community service.

Secretary of State Penalties for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

If your license was suspended at the time you were caught Driving on a Suspended License, the Illinois Secretary of State will extend the suspension for the same period of time as your license was originally suspended. In other words, if at the time you were charged with Driving on a Suspended License your license was suspended for three months, your license will be suspended for an additional 3 months.

If your license was revoked at the time you were caught Driving on a Revoked License, the Illinois Secretary of State will extend the revocation of your license for 1-year from the date of the conviction.

Local Award-Winning Criminal Defense Lawyer to Avoid a Criminal Conviction and to Avoid Losing Your License

Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License lawyer, James Dimeas, has over-29 years of experience handling Driving on Suspended or Revoked License cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County. Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License lawyer, James Dimeas, has an intricate understanding of the laws and rules involving Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License cases. James Dimeas knows how such a case could affect your driving privileges with the Illinois Secretary of State and understands what needs to get done to avoid the harsh consequences of being charged with Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License. James Dimeas can help you get your license restored prior to showing up to court so that the case against you may be reduced or even dismissed when you walk into court with a valid license. A dismissal, or other favorable resolution of the case could help you avoid any further consequences with the Secretary of State. James Dimeas will explore every possible option option to avoid a conviction and avoid having your license suspended or revoked. Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License attorney, James Dimeas, is well respected throughout all of the courthouses in the area and will use his experience and connections to avoid a conviction and prevent a suspension or revocation of your license.

James Dimeas is a nationally-recognized, award-winning, Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License Lawyer with over-29 years of experience handling Driving on Suspended or Revoked License cases throughout Chicago, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, and Lake County. Attorney and Practice Magazine gave James Dimeas the “Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorney Award for Illinois,” and the “Top 10 DUI Defense Attorney” award. The National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys gave James Dimeas the “Top 10 Attorney Award for the State of Illinois.” Recently, James Dimeas was recognized by the American Society of Criminal Advocates as a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer In the State of Illinois For the Year 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.” Expertise named James Dimeas a “Best Criminal Defense Lawyer in Chicago.” James Dimeas was named a “Best DUI Attorney.” The American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys recognized James Dimeas as a “10 Best Attorney for Client Satisfaction.” The National Trial Lawyers named James Dimeas a “Top 100 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer.” AVVO rates James Dimeas as “Superb,” 10 out of 10, the highest rating possible for any Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License lawyer in the United States.

If you are being charged with Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Illinois, you can contact attorney James Dimeas anytime or a free and confidential consultation. You can always talk to James Dimeas personally by calling 847-807-7405.