Aggravated Speeding Lawyer for the Skokie Courthouse

If a police officer in the north suburbs of Cook County wrote you a ticket for driving 26 mph or more over the speed limit, your case will most likely be heard at the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road in Skokie. This is not an ordinary speeding ticket. In Illinois it is a criminal misdemeanor, and the decisions made in the first few weeks can shape what appears on your record for years.

The Davis Law Group, P.C. defends aggravated speeding cases in Skokie every week. Our main office is at 500 Skokie Boulevard in Northbrook, a few minutes from the courthouse, and our attorneys know the courtrooms, the prosecutors and the way these cases are handled at the Second Municipal District.

Is Aggravated Speeding a Crime in Illinois?

Yes. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-601.5, a driver who goes 26 mph or more over the posted limit commits a criminal misdemeanor, not a petty traffic offense. The penalty level depends on how fast you were going:

Most first time drivers in Skokie are not facing jail. The real danger is the conviction itself. A misdemeanor conviction for aggravated speeding is a permanent criminal record that cannot be expunged, and it can surface on employment and professional licensing background checks for the rest of your life. Keeping that conviction off your record is the focus of nearly every case we handle here.

About the Skokie Courthouse

Our attorneys represent clients at the Skokie Courthouse on traffic, DUI and criminal matters. For a deeper look at how these cases unfold, read our article on aggravated speeding charges at the Skokie Courthouse.

The Skokie Courthouse is the Second Municipal District of the Circuit Court of Cook County and is often called the Old Orchard courthouse. It sits about half a mile west of the Edens Expressway and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Traffic and misdemeanor cases, including aggravated speeding, are heard in Courtrooms 101, 102, 103 and 104, with court calls at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Each town is assigned its own court dates during the month. Your courtroom and court call are printed on your citation. Plan to arrive early, since security lines can be long on busy mornings.

Which Tickets Are Heard in Skokie?

The Skokie Courthouse hears tickets written by police departments across the northern suburbs of Cook County, including Deerfield (Cook County portion), Des Plaines, Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka. Citations from the Illinois State Police, the Cook County Sheriff’s Police and the Cook County Forest Preserve Police are also assigned here. Many aggravated speeding tickets in this area are written on the Edens Expressway, the Tri-State Tollway and major roads such as Skokie Boulevard, Golf Road and Lake Cook Road.

What to Expect in Court

At the first court date, typically your attorney files an appearance and begins discussing the case with the prosecutor. Some of these cases are not resolved on the first date. The prosecutor may need to produce evidence and your attorney may need time to gather mitigation. Oftentimes, the prosecutor will require completion of certain conditions, such as a traffic safety course, before they will extend an acceptable offer.

When a resolution is reached, it is presented to the judge for approval. If the case cannot be resolved fairly, it can be set for trial.

How We Defend Aggravated Speeding Cases in Skokie

No two aggravated speeding cases are alike. Your speed, your driving history, the type of license you hold and what a conviction would mean for your job all shape the strategy. Our focus is simple: achieving the best possible result in your case. Depending on the facts, that may mean:

• Avoiding criminal penalties, so a speeding ticket does not become a permanent criminal record
• Securing court supervision, which results in a dismissal once its terms are completed
• Negotiating an amendment or reduction of the charge, often to a petty speeding offense that is not a crime
• Challenging the case at trial when appropriate, such as when the speed measurement or the stop is questionable
• Damage control when the facts are tough, keeping the consequences to your record, license and insurance as limited as possible

We tell clients early what is realistic in Skokie, and we prepare each case as though it may be tried. That preparation is often what produces a better offer.

What Is Court Supervision?

Court supervision is often the outcome drivers in Skokie are hoping for, and for good reason. It is not a conviction. The judge places you on supervision for a set period with conditions, which commonly include paying fines and court costs and avoiding new violations. If you complete the period successfully, the charge is dismissed and no conviction is entered. Supervision is not available for every driver. It is barred for aggravated speeding in a school zone or a highway construction zone, and a prior record can limit eligibility.

Your Driver’s License and Insurance

An aggravated speeding conviction is reported to the Illinois Secretary of State as a moving violation. Three moving violation convictions in 12 months can trigger a suspension, and drivers under 21 face stricter rules. A conviction can also lead to higher insurance premiums at renewal. If you already have a suspended or revoked license, our firm also handles Illinois driver’s license reinstatement [/practice-areas/driver-s-license-reinstatement/].

Aggravated Speeding Questions: Skokie

Contact Our Skokie Aggravated Speeding Attorneys

Facing an aggravated speeding charge at the Skokie Courthouse? Call The Davis Law Group, P.C. at (847) 390-8500 for a free consultation. Our Northbrook office is minutes from the courthouse, and we answer calls 24/7. You can also read more about aggravated speeding in Illinois.