What Type of Hearing Will I Have to Attend to Get My License Back in Naperville?

 Posted on December 07, 2021 in License Reinstatement

In Illinois, a person may be subject to a driver’s license suspension or revocation if they are accused of drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident, multiple traffic violations, drag racing, or other offenses. Once your license is suspended or revoked, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle. Driver’s license suspensions automatically terminate after a certain period of time. Once the suspension is up, you pay a fine and regain your driving privileges.  

Unlike a driver’s license suspension, a driver’s license revocation does not automatically terminate. To get your license back after it is revoked, you must attend a Secretary of State hearing and demonstrate that you have met the requirements for driver’s license reinstatement.

Informal Secretary of State Reinstatement Hearings

If your license was revoked because you were convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) for the first time or you committed multiple moving violations, you will most likely need to attend an informal reinstatement hearing. During the hearing, the hearing officer will ask you questions about the circumstances that led to the driver’s license revocation, your drug and alcohol use, and why you are seeking reinstatement of your driver’s license.

You will need to provide proof that you completed the actions required of you to regain your driving privileges. The required steps vary from person to person. Depending on the results of your drug and alcohol risk assessment, you may need to attend DUI Risk Education classes, an early intervention program, and/or drug and alcohol treatment to get your license back.

Formal Secretary of State Hearings

Formal Secretary of State license reinstatement hearings are more involved than informal hearings. You may be required to attend a formal hearing if you lost your license due to multiple convictions for drunk driving or an offense that resulted in death or serious injury to another. You may also have to attend a formal hearing if you are submitting an out-of-state reinstatement application.

The formal hearing operates similarly to a criminal trial. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate that you met the requirements expected of you based on the results of your drug and alcohol risk assessment. You will answer questions under oath and be cross-examined by the prosecutor and hearing officer.

Contact an Aurora Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer

Whether you must attend a formal or informal hearing, Secretary of State license reinstatement hearings can be intimidating. Naperville criminal defense attorney Patricia Magaña can explain what to expect and help you prepare for your reinstatement hearing. Call Law Office of Patricia Magaña, LLC at 630-448-2001 for a free consultation to learn more.

Source:

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/administrative_hearings/hearings.html