In Illinois, a moving violation refers to a traffic offense committed while a vehicle is in motion. These offenses are considered more serious because of their potential to cause property damage and bodily injury. Common moving violations include speeding, reckless driving, running a red light, leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence (DUI).

Unlike non-moving violations, which generally only draw fines, moving violations in Illinois can have a severe impact on your driving record. They remain on your license for several years. They also have these effects:

• Points on driving record — Illinois uses a point system to track driving offenses. Each moving violation adds a certain number of points to your driving record. Accumulating too many points within a specific timeframe can lead to consequences such as license suspension or mandatory driver improvement programs.
• License suspension or revocation — Serious or repeated moving violations can result in license suspension or revocation. For example, having three or more moving violation convictions within 12 months for adult drivers (or two offenses within 24 months for drivers under 21) can lead to a license suspension.
• Insurance premium increases — Insurers use driving records to determine insurance premiums. If you accumulate points due to moving violations, your insurance rates may increase, as you are perceived as a higher-risk driver.
• Fines and penalties — Moving violations come with fines and court costs, the amount of which depends on the specific offense and on local regulations.

For those reasons, you should never plead guilty to a moving violation charge without seeking legal assistance. Hiring an experienced traffic violations defense attorney can be beneficial in defending against the charges and mitigating the consequences. Attorneys familiar with traffic laws can analyze the circumstances surrounding your case to identify possible defenses. An attorney will thoroughly investigate your case, assess the evidence against you and how it was obtained and challenge any weaknesses. Also, an attorney may negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce charges or penalties, potentially resulting in a less severe outcome.

In some cases, a court may offer the option to attend traffic school to mitigate the impact of a moving violation. Completing a traffic school course can reduce points on your driving record and prevent insurance premium increases.

At Skinner Law Firm, P.C. in Bridgeview, Illinois, we have been defending clients in traffic violation cases throughout the Cook County area for more than 20 years. We are ready to put that experience to work for you. Please call 312-635-6459 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.