Northbrook Suspended License

Reclaim Driving Privileges with a Northbrook Suspended License Lawyer

It may be only a quick train ride to downtown Chicago, but Northbrook is not the most public transportation-friendly city. That is why it can be so debilitating when your license is suspended or revoked here.  

Without a valid license, basic tasks like going to the grocery store or picking up your kids from school become a hassle. Even commuting to and from work can be frustrating as the costs of Ubers or Lyfts start to add up. Worse, unlawfully driving with a revoked or suspended license is a criminal offense that can land you in some serious hot water.

Thankfully, if your license has been suspended or revoked, you do have legal options to have your license reinstated. However, it is critical to work with an attorney who is intimately familiar with local laws and the knowledge to explore every possible option to restore your driving privileges.

Northbrook criminal lawyer Sami Azhari is that attorney. Over the years, Mr. Azhari has helped countless people in the area to get their licenses back after enduring legal trouble, and he can assist you, too.

What Is Illinois Statutory Summary Suspension?

A statutory summary suspension (SSS) is a civil administrative action that automatically suspends your right to drive a motor vehicle. You will likely be served a Notice of Statutory Summary Suspension or Revocation after being arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) if you fail or refuse a chemical test. Keep in mind, a statutory summary suspension does not replace the other criminal penalties you face — like jail time or fines — if you have been charged with a DUI.

Instead, a statutory suspension is an additional civil penalty for failing or refusing to take a chemical test. Like all states, Illinois has an implied consent law. What this means is that if you drive a motor vehicle on any public highway here, you are consenting to have your blood, breath, or urine tested if you are pulled over. So if you fail or refuse the test, you are subject to the civil penalty of statutory license suspension. 

Statutory summary suspensions are effective 46 days after you first receive your Notice. At the end of your suspension, your driving privileges can get reinstated automatically — after you pay the required reinstatement fee. 

The length your license suspension lasts depends on several factors. For example, if you agreed to take the test and failed, or if you are a first time DUI offender, your suspension may be shorter than in other circumstances. 

What Is Statutory Summary Revocation in Illinois?

A statutory summary revocation is slightly different from a statutory suspension. You may be subject to a statutory revocation if you fail or refuse a chemical test and cause the injury or death of someone else while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In addition, you may face license revocation if you have multiple DUI convictions on your record, or if you flee the scene of an accident that resulted in injury or death. 

Like a statutory summary suspension, a statutory summary revocation indicates you have lost your right to drive legally. However, while suspensions usually have an end date, a license revocation means that you have lost your driving privileges indefinitely. 

Unlike with suspensions, there is no automatic reinstatement of your driver’s license with a revocation. Rather, you must attend a formal hearing with the Secretary of State Department of Administrative Hearings.

The minimum length of revocation depends on the factors surrounding your DUI arrest and your driving record. 

Challenging a License Suspension or Revocation in Northbrook

Whether your license has been suspended or revoked, you have the option to challenge the order. In both instances, you have the right to challenge your suspension or revocation in a court hearing.

You have 90 days after receiving your Notice of Statutory Summary Suspension or Revocation to challenge the order. The 90 day deadline is a strict one, with only a few exceptions, so it is critical to get it filed within this time. If you decide to work with Mr. Azhari, this is not something you will ever have to worry about.

In order to request a hearing, you must submit a Petition to Rescind Statutory Summary Suspension or Revocation. This petition can be filled out on your own, but it is highly advisable to work with a lawyer to ensure all the filing requirements are met. 

Otherwise, you run the risk of having your petition striked by the prosecutor. Oftentimes, prosecutors will try to strike your petition if it does not include a copy of the Law Enforcement Sworn Report or if they were not served with the correct documents.

Usually around two weeks after submitting your petition, the Secretary of State will send you a notice with the time and date of your hearing. The Secretary of State is required to give you a hearing date that is no more than 90 days after the date of your petition. 

During the hearing, the court will consider a number of factors. If a lawyer does not represent you, be prepared to answer many questions in detail about your past, including particular information concerning any of your DUI arrests and regarding both your current and past alcohol and drug use. After the hearing, the hearing officer will make a recommendation about whether or not your driving privileges should be reinstated. 

Remember: you have the right to have a lawyer represent you, and it is highly recommended that you work with someone who is familiar with local law and the license reinstatement process. 

How Sam Azhari Can Help People in Northbrook Get Their Licenses Back

If you are seeking to have your driving privileges reinstated after a suspension or revocation, Sami Azhari understands how to help. Mr. Azhari has years of experience guiding clients in Northbrook and beyond through the entire reinstatement process — from your arrest until you receive the results of your hearing.

When you work with him, you can be sure that Mr. Azhari will help you craft a flawless petition and explore every avenue to fiercely fight for your rights during your hearing. 

Start working towards reinstating your driving privileges today. To set up a free consultation, complete an online case evaluation form or contact Mr. Azhari directly via email at sazhari@azharillc.com.

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