What to Expect From Traffic Court in Illinois

Navigating traffic court in Illinois can be a daunting experience, especially if it's your first time dealing with legal proceedings. From understanding the specific charges against you to knowing what to expect during the court process, having a clear overview is essential for effectively managing your case. Whether you’re facing a minor traffic violation or a more serious offense, being well-prepared can significantly impact the outcome of your case.

To ensure you’re fully informed and ready to tackle your traffic court appearance, it's important to seek legal advice. Call our knowledgeable team at (630) 425-0250 to set up a free consultation. Our traffic lawyers in Naperville will help you understand the court process, explore your options, and develop a strategy to achieve the best possible resolution for your case.

How to Prepare for Traffic Court

Before you go to your traffic hearing, there are a couple of steps you will need to prepare. First, you will need to gather all the necessary documents that you will have to present in court. The exact documents you will need can vary depending on the specific traffic violation you have received.

However, most of the time you will need to bring the traffic ticket or citation, your driver's license, and evidence of insurance. If you plan on contesting the citation, you will want to gather evidence and, if possible, bring witnesses to the courtroom with you.

You may also want to consider hiring a traffic citation lawyer to help you assemble documentation and accompany you to your hearing. Although it is not strictly necessary for this type of offense, it can help to make the process smoother, ensure success at your traffic trial, and keep your driving record clean. 

If you have received a criminal misdemeanor from drunk driving or something similar in addition to the traffic citation, you will want to work with an attorney. They will be able to guide you through the intricacies of the criminal courtroom and avoid severe consequences like jail time.

How to Get Ready for a Traffic Court Appearance

When it comes to the actual day of your traffic court trial, you will want to make sure you are appropriately dressed for court. Some courts have their own dress code which your lawyer can help you to find. If you can't find the dress code, business casual to business attire is usually the best option.

For women, this will typically mean a business suit or dress with a blazer and nice, close-toed shoes. For men, this means a dress shirt and jacket if you have one as well as dress shoes. If you do not have this type of clothing, just wear your nicest clothes that are not revealing. Hair should be neatly styled.

Make sure you arrive early for court that way you have time to prepare yourself for your trial and speak with your lawyer before you have to go in. Building some extra time into your day will also help you if there is unexpected traffic or you take longer to get there than you expected. If you are late, they will cancel your trial and you will receive additional penalties for missing your hearing.

Once you are in the courtroom, you will want to make sure you address the judge politely and maintain eye contact. Do not interrupt them and allow your attorney to guide you through the hearing process. While you are in the courtroom you will need to turn off your electronic devices so they do not go off during the hearing.

What is the Traffic Court Process?

After you have arrived at the courthouse you will need to check in with the court officer. If you have a traffic attorney with you they will be able to help you manage the check-in process with the traffic court clerk and submit any documentation that you need to turn in before your trial. 

Once you are in the courtroom you have three main options: pleading guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If you choose to not contest the ticket, you will receive full penalties for traffic violations, meaning a fine in most cases. You will also receive the charge on your driving record.

Learn More: How to Get a Suspended CDL Back

If you go with not guilty, you will need to present evidence to the traffic court judge that contradicts the citation. This can be in the form of camera footage, photos, and eyewitnesses. If you are successful in contesting the traffic violation you will not have to pay the fine and it will not go on your driving record.

By choosing to plead guilty, you be eligible for court supervision. With this, you will typically need to pay the fine and then you will be placed on supervision for a certain period of time. If you do not receive another minor traffic offense, traffic misdemeanor, or felony traffic violation during this time, the charge will not be placed on your record.

Possible Outcomes From Traffic Court

For minor traffic infractions you will typically only need to pay a fine and then you will be able to get back out on the roads. However, once you start moving into more serious charges, you can receive more severe consequences. Any type of felony, such as vehicular manslaughter, will typically have a major effect on your license status.

Your license will typically be suspended or even revoked, making it even more challenging to reinstate. You can also end up facing jail time for some of the more severe charges. Even after you've paid your fines, you may also be required to complete traffic safety school before you are allowed to drive again.

Related: Tips to Avoid Getting Pulled Over

Outside of the legal consequences, you will also want to consider the long-term consequences of your traffic violation. If you are convicted, the charge will show up on your complete driving record, increasing your insurance rate. This can also make it more difficult to get certain jobs that require you to have a clean driving record.

If you disagree with the outcome of your appearance in traffic court, you can choose to file an appeal. This will give you the opportunity to have your case reevaluated and reduce the penalties for traffic offenses. Make sure to consult with your attorney to get legal advice regarding whether or not filing an appeal is a good option for you. 

What Should You Do After a Traffic Court Hearing?

After your traffic court hearing in Naperville, you will need to pay any fines that you have been assigned. The standard way to pay the fine in Illinois is by mail. You would simply mail the check to the county's office with your ticket number specified. However, many countries now offer online payment allowing you to quickly pay your fine with a debit or credit card. 

Depending on the citation, you may also be required to complete a court-ordered program or community service. For example, if you are charged with reckless driving, you will likely be required to complete traffic safety school in addition to paying the fine. After completing traffic school you will need to submit proof that you have done so. You may also have the option to complete community service as a way to reduce your charges. 

If the result of the hearing was a suspended license you will first want to discuss the terms of the suspension with your lawyer. Some suspensions are only a couple of months long while others can be for more than a year. Depending on the length of the suspension, you may be able to apply for a restricted driving permit that will allow you to get to school or work.

Finally, you will want to request an official copy of your driving record to make sure you are keeping track of any points you might have acquired on your license. 

Get Help With a Traffic Violation From Our Skilled Team

Going to a hearing in traffic court can be an intimidating experience, even if it's just for a minor traffic violation. Fortunately, traffic court is different than criminal court and the consequences are typically not as severe. While it is not strictly necessary to hire an attorney for minor traffic tickets, it can be helpful and can improve your chances of your trial going the way you want it to.

Here at Ktenas Law, we have years of experience helping our clients fight traffic citations and keep their driving records clean. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation and speak with one of our traffic violations defense lawyers.