Naperville Speeding Ticket Attorney

Experienced Traffic Offenses Attorney Serving DuPage County

Speeding tickets and other minor traffic citations are often thought of as a fact of life. Most drivers will receive a citation at some point in their lives. While a single traffic tickets is generally not a very serious thing, there are cases where speeding citations can turn into a more serious criminal case. People with multiple traffic citations may eventually have their licenses suspended or revoked. In some cases, severe speeding may lead to a reckless driving charge in addition to the citation. It is important to know that you can fight back. You have options other than simply paying the ticket. Whether you are facing a simple speeding ticket or a more serious traffic offense, you have rights. An attorney can represent you and contest the ticket. In many cases, the state does not have sufficient evidence to prove that a person was in fact speeding and are counting on the fact that most people will pay the ticket and move on.

Appelman Law LLC is experienced in representing people in traffic court. We understand the stress that can accompany being pulled over and cited. Especially if you have multiple previous traffic tickets, you may be at risk for having your license suspended. By paying the ticket, you are making an admission of guilt. You are agreeing that you were speeding and the ticket was deserved. By getting legal representation and contesting the ticket, you may be able to keep your driving record clear and avoid the hassle that can come with getting a ticket. Represented parties often succeed in having their tickets dismissed or more serious traffic offenses reduced.

Speeding, Reckless Driving, and Aggravated Speeding

Speeding generally means driving more than five miles per hour over the posted speed limit. However, it is also possible to be cited for excessive speed while driving exactly the speed limit if the weather conditions dictate that a slower speed is necessary.

There is some confusion regarding the distinction between reckless driving and speeding. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor crime carrying up to a year of jail time. Speeding is a violation that carries no jail time, only a fine. While there is a myth that driving a certain number of miles per hour over the speed limit is automatically reckless driving, there is no hard-and-fast rule as to when speeding can be charged as reckless driving. However, speeding more than 26 miles per hour over the posted speed limit is a misdemeanor offense called aggravated speeding or misdemeanor speeding. Unlike a ticket, this is a criminal offense carrying potential jail time.

Excessive speeding that is putting other drivers at risk is likely to result in a reckless driving arrest in addition to a citation or misdemeanor speeding, which is roughly as serious as a DUI.

Defenses to Speeding Tickets

There are a number of defenses often available to people accused of speeding. Possible defenses include:

• Mistake of fact - If you could not see a speed limit sign because it was hidden behind a branch, for example, your ticket could be dismissed.
• Justification or necessity - In some cases, speeding may be justified. For example, if your passenger begins showing stroke symptoms and you are rushing them to the hospital, speeding may be permitted. There are also instances where driver must speed up beyond the posted speed limit in order to avoid an accident.
• Lack of proof - Tickets are sometimes issued based on the officer's subjective observance of speeding, which may not be enough proof to prevail in a hearing.

These are only a few of the possible defenses you could have.

Contact a Naperville Speeding Attorney

Appelman Law LLC is committed to providing top quality legal services to all clients. To learn how we can help you with any traffic related accusations, contact us today at 630-717-7801 for a complimentary consultation.