How Can I Prepare for my Formal License Reinstatement Hearing?

 Posted on July 23, 2021 in DUI

A vast amount of people in the United States require their own form of transportation to maintain their livelihood and continue their daily routine. Driving, however, is a privilege and that privilege can get taken away under certain circumstances. Fortunately, this privilege can also be reinstated if you take the right steps. If your driver’s license has been revoked due to an offense involving multiple DUI charges or a fatality, you will need to attend a formal hearing with the Secretary of State (SOS) to reinstate your license.

What to Expect Prior to the Formal Hearing

To have a successful administrative hearing, there are several steps you must take before the hearing takes place. First, a written request must be mailed in, including a $50 filing fee. Any emailed or faxed requests will not be acknowledged. The request must include various personal information, including the petitioner’s full name, current address, and social security number. These requests are accepted 90 days after the most recent hearing. Once the request and fee are received, the hearing will be scheduled.

The petitioner may now take the time to adequately prepare for the hearing. If the petitioner does not feel entirely prepared, it is recommended that you notify the SOS’s office in writing at least five days before to withdraw your request. This will allow you to forgo the required 90 day wait period in between hearings.

Additionally, it is important to consider if you will need an interpreter. If you do not speak English, it will be your obligation to bring a translator that is not affiliated with your case. If you require a sign-language interpreter, the SOS’s office will provide an interpreter at the hearing.

Approaching your formal hearing, it is recommended you collaborate with a driver’s license suspension lawyer who can assist in collecting evidence and testimony to successfully reinstate your license.

What to Expect During the Formal Hearing

In order to have your driving privileges reinstated, there are several requirements that must be met at the hearing. Some of the required standards include:

• A clean driving record
• Completion of an alcohol/drug evaluation
• Provision of evidence that restores driving license will not lead to endangered public safety

Evidence that may help to reinstate your license includes fulfillment verification of a driver improvement program, character reference letters, and drinking habit verification letters.

It is important to note that a hearing officer and an SOS lawyer will also attend your hearing. The hearing officer will rule on the hearing’s motions and subpoena the presence of witnesses and any documents, eventually ruling upon the admissibility of the petitioner’s evidence. The SOS lawyer will have the opportunity to provide evidence regarding your driving record, any orders from previous hearings, and any prior alcohol evaluations you have submitted to the SOS.

Contact a Naperville Driver’s License Attorney Today

Preparing for a formal hearing can be intimidating and challenging. Understanding the necessary steps and requirements can make the process much smoother and much more comfortable. A Kane County driver’s license suspension attorney can provide knowledge and guidance to ensure a successful hearing. Contact the Law Office of Patricia Magaña, LLC to schedule a free consultation by calling 630-448-2001.

Sources:

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/BAIID/reinstate.html

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/administrative_hearings/hearings.html