When an individual is charged with a crime or issued a traffic citation, he or she will most likely have to make a court appearance. It is important that defendants make those appearances to avoid exacerbating the situation with the addition of new penalties. Retaining a competent traffic ticket defense lawyer is a good way to help you keep those scheduled court appearance and steer clear of new charges.

Fine-Only Violations

Failing to appear in court after receiving a traffic citation can result in a hefty fine and possibly impact one’s ability to maintain their driving privileges. If a person ignores a ticket or skips a court date:

Victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment have begun stepping forward with allegations of events that occurred both recently and in the past. With this increased awareness comes a renewed scrutiny of how both alleged victims and those accused of sexual crimes are treated under the law.  

In Illinois and Across the Country

Last summer, Illinois officials passed legislation removing the statute of limitations on cases of sexual abuse crimes against children. The bill was quickly signed into law. However, renewed attention is being placed on the issue of sex crimes in large part due to the revelations of past actions by entertainment industry professionals, high profile physicians, and even elected officials.

Many drivers consider road construction a major inconvenience because it slows traffic and makes getting around much more difficult for them. However, it is important to drive with great care when entering and traveling through construction areas as penalties for speeding and other infractions in work zones are much more severe.

Know the Rules of the Road … That Are under Construction

Illinois added more severe penalties to construction zone traffic violations in response to an increase in accidents that resulted in injuries to and the deaths of construction workers. Drivers should be aware of the following to ensure they understand the all that construction zone driving requires.

When police initiate a traffic stop, the motorist may feel compelled to submit to a breathalyzer test or some other form of field sobriety testing due to a little understood law known as implied consent.

Implied consent is often applied during a traffic stop when police suspect a motorist is driving under the influence of alcohol, and is attached to the issuance of a driver’s license in most states.

When Did I Give Consent?

Law enforcement commonly employs a “traffic safety” checkpoint strategy in an effort to identify drivers who might be in violation of one or more statutes while operating their motor vehicle. Such checkpoints frequently appear during holidays such as Memorial Day, New Years Eve, and 4th of July to find impaired drivers and issue tickets for other traffic violations.

Know Your Rights

Recent incidents have drawn greater attention to the need for police to obtain warrants in order to get a blood or urine sample from a driver who refuses or is unable to submit to standard breathalyzer testing. The No Refusal Checkpoint is a strategy law enforcement uses to obtain search warrants to test the blood alcohol content of drivers they suspect are impaired. During these events, prosecutors and judges make themselves available to expedite the process.