Can You Go to Jail for Aggravated Speeding in Illinois?

 Posted on March 26, 2019 in Criminal Law

In recent years, the state of Illinois has cracked down on speeding. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were over 24,000 speeding citations recorded in 2015. Though speeding is often only a traffic ticket that comes with a fine, there are situations in which a speeding infraction can result in jail time and extensive fines. Though some people may think speeding is a victimless crime, it is not. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 10,000 people were killed due to speeding-related traffic accidents in 2017.

Illinois Aggravated Speeding Laws

According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, speeding 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit is considered to be aggravated speeding. This is technically a criminal charge, rather than a traffic violation, which is why the potential consequences for aggravated speeding are more serious than just a fine.

26 mph to 34 mph over the speed limit: If you are caught driving 26 mph over the posted speed limit, but not more than 35 mph over the speed limit, you will be charged with a Class B misdemeanor. This means you could face up to six months in jail, up to two years of probation and up to $1,500 in fines.

35 mph or more over the speed limit: If you are caught driving more than 35 mph over the posted speed limit, you are committing a Class A misdemeanor. This charge carries a possible sentence of up to one year in jail, up to two years of probation and up to $2,500 in fines. If you are facing a speeding charge, a judge can also order that you complete community service or that you attend traffic school.

Will I Go to Jail for Speeding?

While it is entirely possible that you could be sentenced to jail time for speeding, it is not common to send speeders to jail. Typically, Illinois judges will order those accused of aggravated speeding to court supervision, especially if this is the first aggravated speeding charge the person is facing. Court supervision is favorable for those accused because it allows the charges to be dropped if there are no other traffic violations during the supervisory period, which prevents a conviction from appearing on your driving and criminal records.

Contact a DuPage County Aggravated Speeding Lawyer

It is entirely too easy to speed, but it is difficult to get out of a speeding charge. Speeding not only endangers your life, but also the safety of everyone on the road, which is why Illinois takes speeding so seriously. If you have been charged with aggravated speeding, you need an experienced Wheaton, IL aggravated speeding defense attorney on your side. At the Davi Law Group, LLC, we have years of experience of helping those charged with aggravated speeding receive favorable sentences. Contact our law firm today at 630-580-6373 to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-601.5

https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding