[DUI Elite]

30 over is reckless I believe. Lawyer up. It'll be 100% worth the money, I promise.

[anerbe]

Originally Posted by nick 55

My 110 in a 55 looked impressive to me because a mile before that, I was doing 145. That was 3 years ago, Dupage County, on 355 Southbound at the 88 exit ramp. When I got mine, the ticket carried the same weight as a DUI. Now they are stiffer on penalties, all around. I got lucky, I lawyered up, went before the judge. He asked what I was driving, I told him, and he thanked me for not doing it in a Camaro or Mustang. I said "I'm sorry, I was stupid", and he told my lawyer he would see him on the golf course that weekend. Either way, the OP needs to retain a lawyer, because they are out of their area. Whiteside County only has 58000 residents as of the 2010 census. The median household income is $40300. Trust me, the courts will see this as a good way to generate good revenue and make an example from a "city-slicker" if she doesn't have a "friend in the courts".

To the posters who have mentioned she should lose her license, or the like....you know damn well everyone has done it at least once. We don't buy performance cars to go 55-65. It was the wrong place, wrong time, and she just happened to get caught. Was she breaking the law, yes. Was she paying attention to the road and traffic, most likely or there would have been other tickets also. At least she wasn't drunk, observed racing in and out of traffic, or caused an accident. Don't pass judgment on someone for doing something you are guilty of also.

Nick

What car were you driving that made him thankful?

[Dvdman]

A friend said to call the D.A. and ask what we are facing. Does this sound right? She is just finishing Law school and said people do this all the time. I got a lawyer for my wife too but she is still not sleeping and about to have a nervous breakdown. She cannot wait till her court date early March to know her fate. I know she won't go to jail but Im worried about a suspended license. We have 2 kids and both work.

[nick 55]

Originally Posted by anerbe

What car were you driving that made him thankful?

A car designed to handle speeds well above that.

Originally Posted by Devestator

A friend said to call the D.A. and ask what we are facing. Does this sound right? She is just finishing Law school and said people do this all the time. I got a lawyer for my wife too but she is still not sleeping and about to have a nervous breakdown. She cannot wait till her court date early March to know her fate. I know she won't go to jail but Im worried about a suspended license. We have 2 kids and both work.

Sorry, but your friend is probably still a little green in this. Who did you hire as a lawyer(please don't tell me a friend of the family)? The lawyer, if they are worth their weight and have experience in Whiteside County should have already been on the phone with the prosecuter, and should already know what judge will be on the bench the day of her court date. If it is a judge known to be a hardnose, then the lawyer should be smart enough to ask for a continuance and go from there.

As for your wife, comfort her. The lawyer should be able to tell her honestly what to expect. With the right driving record, which she has, good representation(a lawyer that knows the judges in that county), she will probably get off with 6-12 months supervision, without a conviction, with the fines paid.

Nick

[Concentric190]

Originally Posted by nick 55

A car designed to handle speeds well above that.


As for your wife, comfort her. The lawyer should be able to tell her honestly what to expect. With the right driving record, which she has, good representation(a lawyer that knows the judges in that county), she will probably get off with 6-12 months supervision, without a conviction, with the fines paid.

Nick

sooo what car?

And yeah, represented well it should come out to less than a 12 month supervision with a decent fine and that's it.

[nick 55]

LP640


Nick

[Dvdman]

I might have to try another Lawyer. I left it up to my Wife to call the him. I got home and she said she felt worse after talking to him. He wants a $500 retainer. Now he is making it out like she might get it suspended and to email a map of the her work route so if he has to he could get a Work license or something. He is a lawyer in the town of Whiteside County and has been a lawyer for 48 years. Originally He said he had a few friends at the DA and everyone knows each other there so he could have this figured out by the end of Feb. No big deal. Now it seem his associate will be handling the case . He might be out of town. If we call the DA we will make them mad. I really feel he is just scaring her a little to get the $ maybe? He made it out before like it was a simple case that needed a little representation now I'm not so sure.

[boostd92]

Originally Posted by DUI Elite

30 over is reckless I believe. Lawyer up. It'll be 100% worth the money, I promise.

Not true.

You are only accountable for the actual CODE VIOLATION that the officer writes you up for, and that is completely under his discretion.

Reckless driving in illinois is based not on speed but can be given for any kind of driving that the officer feels is "reckless" based on speed, weather, road conditions, etc...

I got ticketed for doing 78mph in a 45mph zone. The officer wrote me up for violating code XXX (some number), because that number corresponded to regular "speeding," I just paid for a speeding ticket.

He could have easily written me up for reckless driving, that was within his discretionary powers, but when it comes to court, the code is the code. You have to be cited SPECIFICALLY for reckless driving or you can be doing 150mph in a 55mph zone and it's possible to get just a speeding ticket.

[ragingclue]

But we're not talking about reckless driving, we're talking about Aggravated Speeding.

[Ricer X]

whatever, the key here is that the speeding was more than mildly excessive and OP's wife doesn't want a suspended license or worse regardless of actual stated charge...

[///M3NACE]

I really want to know the outcome on this situation. I hope everything works out in your guys favor. Best of luck

[Dvdman]

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

I really want to know the outcome on this situation. I hope everything works out in your guys favor. Best of luck

Thanks. I just dont know who to trust. The lawyer first says don't worry about it. Then send the retainer. Now he saying they probably wont amend the speed and won't do supervision. So what is left? Suspension? I might try a different lawyer from that town tomorrow.

[///M3NACE]

I highly doubt she will get suspended, my friends little brother at 18 2 months ago got pulled over for 40+ and he was so scared to get suspended as well because he had to commute to college and what not. Nothing but a fine and court costs. He didn't lawyer up he didn't have the money. I really hope everything goes well with your wife at court. Also his age and it was local played a big part and he got away with just a conviction + driving school

[nick 55]

Originally Posted by Devestator

I might have to try another Lawyer. I left it up to my Wife to call the him. I got home and she said she felt worse after talking to him. He wants a $500 retainer. Now he is making it out like she might get it suspended and to email a map of the her work route so if he has to he could get a Work license or something. He is a lawyer in the town of Whiteside County and has been a lawyer for 48 years. Originally He said he had a few friends at the DA and everyone knows each other there so he could have this figured out by the end of Feb. No big deal. Now it seem his associate will be handling the case . He might be out of town. If we call the DA we will make them mad. I really feel he is just scaring her a little to get the $ maybe? He made it out before like it was a simple case that needed a little representation now I'm not so sure.

A $500 retainer isn't out of line, in my opinion. Hell, this isn't a normal speeding ticket, it is a Class B misdemeanor. Did you just cold call this guy? Did you call either of the guys I recommended and speak to them?

Nick

[Dvdman]

Originally Posted by nick 55

A $500 retainer isn't out of line, in my opinion. Hell, this isn't a normal speeding ticket, it is a Class B misdemeanor. Did you just cold call this guy? Did you call either of the guys I recommended and speak to them?

Nick

I called Bob back and he gave me his friends number who works near there. Unfortunately, His friend is not near the county. He said if I had any problems to call back. They were very nice thank you. My wife and I called about 5 lawyers. 2 called back from the town. One had the experience and said he knew everyone. The other lawyer seemed good and said he knew the one I was currently talking to and said he was nice. I just don't know why he changed his tune. He seemed pretty positive he could knock down charges and then my wife said when he talked to him yesterday he made it out like he couldn't do much. My wife was sick to her stomach all night. I'm going to call the lawyer again and speak to him myself. If he seems a little unsure I'll switch lawyers. I feel like I'm playing roulette with these guys.

[NovaPS]

Highway 94 Illinois State Police Lake County 3 years ago (jaguar XJR at the time)

Clean Record no tickets for 10 years

Represented myself 6 months court supervision $ 389 fine all in.

Not to add to the confusion but just wanted to give another real world example.

[NovaPS]

certificate had to be presented to court to prove completion.

[Dvdman]

Originally Posted by NovaPS

Highway 94 Illinois State Police Lake County 3 years ago (jaguar XJR at the time)

Clean Record no tickets for 10 years

Represented myself 6 months court supervision $ 389 fine all in.

Not to add to the confusion but just wanted to give another real world example.

Thanks.She is feeling a little better. The law has changed in 2011. Speeding above 30 is bad news. My wife got a speeding ticket last Auq. 52 in a 35. I got the lawyer and sent $500 retainer. He said he will find out Wed who the judge is and what the charges are. I'll keep you guys posted...

[Dvdman]

Hey fellas....just an update. $500 for the lawyer. $350 in court fines and fees. The lawyer plea bargained with the DA to reduce the speed under 30. She was in and out in 5 min. No supervision, no points. The lawyer did a great job. I hope she has learned her lesson...(don't get caught).

[CubanJJ09]

[J3NGOe90]

I had 2 reckless driving tickets in NY in past 2 years, first one i got out with 24 hour community service, no fine no points. Second ticket i was charged $100 no points lol. I don't know about Illinois it might be different there.

[cipher5]

Honestly I think a $500 retainer is overboard. I've paid a lawyer no more than $150 for the same result. I'm sure these lawyers and courts are "in bed" with each other to make money, but regardless, I feel you may have paid too much. But the resolution was favorable so it may have been worth it to you.

Just for reference, I had 2 tickets within a 15 min period many years ago (stupid I know). My tickets were 60 in a 45 and 97 in a 55, again, 15 mins apart (I was in a big rush to get somewhere, still stupid). I only had to pay the lawyer $150 per ticket and the fine for the tickets. Neither is on my record.