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Southern Illinois Formal Hearing Lawyers

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    Located at: 1015 Broadway, Mt. Vernon, Illinois, One Block from the Secretary of State Administrative Building

    Southern Illinois DUI Driver’s License Attorneys

    Having a driver’s license is something most people take for granted, and it’s not until you lose it that you realize how important it truly is. Not having a driver’s license can become a huge burden. Being unable to get to work, pick up your kids, or even do something as simple as going to the grocery store. We understand the hardship that comes from not having a license. Whether your license has been revoked, suspended, or canceled by the Illinois Secretary of State, our experienced attorneys are here to help you get back on the road. 

    Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Hearings

    A person who is seeking to have their driving privileges reinstated after a suspension or revocation must apply for either an informal or formal hearing before the Secretary of State. Winning one of these hearings is difficult, especially without an experienced DUI lawyer on your side. Secretary of State hearings are complex administrative hearings governed by both Illinois State law and the Illinois Administrative Code, and having a driver’s license reinstatement attorney on your side can greatly increase your chances of winning and getting driving relief. Our driver’s license lawyers can help you with both types of administrative hearings.

    Illinois Formal Hearings

    Formal Hearings are required for individuals who have had their license revoked due to a felony driving offense or multiple DUIs. A formal hearing request must be made in writing through the mail. A hearing officer presides over the formal hearing where sworn testimony is taken and documented evidence including treatment and counseling history is reviewed. Other evidence that will likely be presented at the formal hearing includes your driving abstract containing your entire driving history, any arrest or accident reports, and any prior hearing records. There are only four locations in Illinois where these hearings take place:

    Our driver’s license reinstatement attorneys represent clients in formal reinstatement hearings at the Mt. Vernon, Illinois location. Our office is conveniently located one block away from the Secretary of State Administrative Hearings building. Our lawyers will prepare you for the hearing itself, go over your treatment history, and ensure there are no gaps or inconsistencies that could prevent you from getting your license back. Because license suspensions and revocations frequently stem from the use of drugs or alcohol, some of the most important things to present at your formal hearing include any drug and alcohol evaluation, treatment paperwork, and letters from friends and family. 

    The Secretary of State has up to 90 days after a formal hearing to render a decision on whether your request to reinstate your license is granted or denied. If you are denied, you are eligible for a new hearing 90 days after the previous hearing. 

    Informal Hearings at DMV Facilities

    Informal hearings are required for drivers who have lost their driver’s license for driving offenses involving a single DUI. These hearings are done by an informal hearing officer at certain DMV facilities across the State of Illinois. These hearings are done on a walk-in basis. However, drivers with suspended or revoked licenses due to death, serious personal injury, or with multiple suspensions or revocations are not eligible for informal hearings. 

    Having an Illinois driver’s license reinstatement attorney on your side can help you get driving relief at informal hearings, whether that be full reinstatement of driving privileges or helping you get a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP).

    Informal Hearings are only available at approved locations with an Informal Hearing Officer. The Illinois Secretary of State maintains a list of every location where Informal Hearings may be held. While it is not necessary that you hire an attorney for your Informal Hearing, doing so significantly increases the chances of having your license reinstated. 

    Driving Directions to Our Southern Illinois Law Offices

    Our Driver’s License Reinstatement Attorneys Represent Clients Across Southern Illinois

    We help to restore driving privileges for clients across Southern Illinois. While we represent clients from anywhere in Illinois and even out-of-state, some of the most common Southern Illinois counties we serve clients from are:

    Alexander County Bond County
    Clark County Clay County
    Clinton County Coles County
    Cumberland County Crawford County
    Edwards County Effingham County
    Fayette County Franklin County
    Gallatin County Hamilton County
    Hardin County Jackson County
    Jasper County Jefferson County
    Johnson County Lawrence County
    Madison County Marion County
    Massac County Monroe County
    Perry County Pope County
    Pulaski County Randolph County
    Richland County Saline County
    Shelby County St. Clair County
    Union County Wabash County
    Washington County Wayne County
    White County Williamson County

    Illinois DUI & Driver’s License Reinstatement FAQ

    What is the difference between a Suspension and a Revocation?

    A suspension results in the temporary loss of driving privileges for a specified amount of time. A suspended license is automatically reinstated upon payment of the reinstatement fee. A revoked license is not for a specific amount of time and can only be reinstated after a successful hearing before the Secretary of State. Suspensions are generally the result of moving violations or other nonviolent traffic offenses. Whereas revocations are the result of a DUI conviction or other serious traffic offense.

    What is an Illinois Statutory Summary Suspension?

    A Statutory Summary Suspension is an automatic suspension or revocation of driving privileges as the result of a driver refusing a breathalyzer or other chemical testing.

    What documents do I need for a Formal Hearing?

    An experienced reinstatement attorney can advise you on every document needed for a formal reinstatement hearing. However, the most important document every individual applying for reinstatement will need is a completed drug and alcohol evaluation by a licensed provider.

    What is the process for an Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Formal Hearing?

    Each hearing differs slightly based on the particular circumstances. However, must hearings follow this general outline: 1) The hearing begins with the driver turning over any documentation he or she has, including evaluations and treatment documentation; 2) The driver answers questions from the hearing officer and/or his or her attorney, and 3) The hearing officer takes the matter under advisement prior to issuing a decision within the following 90 days.

    What is a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP)?

    An RDP allows a person to drive on a restricted basis according to his/her permit. Also known as an Illinois Hardship License, there are generally three situations in which the Illinois Secretary of State will require that you drive on a RDP/hardship license before being considered for full reinstatement of your driver’s license: 1) You are not eligible for full reinstatement; 2) You were revoked for DUI and are eligible for full reinstatement but have not previously held a RDP; or 3) You have been convicted of DUI on 2 or more occasions.

    What fees are there for requesting an Illinois Secretary of State Formal Hearing?

    When requesting a Formal Hearing, a non-refundable $50 filing fee in the form of a check, money order or credit card payable to the Secretary of State is required.

    If my license is reinstated, are there any fees I must pay?

    • Discretionary Suspension (Traffic Related Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
    • Failure to Appear in Court Suspension (Court Related Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
    • Family Responsibility (DHFS or Court Ordered Child Support Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
    • Field Sobriety Suspension — (First Offense) — $250 fee owed for each Suspension
    • Field Sobriety Suspension — (Multiple Offense) — $500 fee owed for each subsequent Suspension
    • Mandatory Insurance Conviction Driver’s License Suspension — $100 fee for each Suspension. Please note that this reinstatement fee is for your driver’s license suspension. You may also owe a mandatory insurance fee for your license plate suspension. You will be required to contact Vehicle Services to pay that fee. Please refer to your correspondence from Vehicle Services for instructions.
    • Parking/Tollway/Automated Traffic Suspension (Municipality/Tollway Authority Violation Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
    • Revocations — $500 fee for each Revocation — Payments of this Reinstatement fee can only be processed if we have received a “reinstatement recommendation” from our Administrative Hearing Department and this office has received your SR22 Insurance certificate or out of state insurance waiver.
    • Safety Responsibility (Uninsured Accident Administrative Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
    • Solicitation of Towing Suspension — $100 fee for each Suspension
    • Statutory Summary Suspension — (DUI Related/Implied Consent First Offense) — $250 fee for the first Suspension
    • Statutory Summary Suspension — (DUI Related Multiple Offenses) — $500 fee for each subsequent Suspension
    • Unsatisfied Judgment (Uninsured Accident Court Ordered Suspension) — $70 fee for each Suspension
    • Zero Tolerance Suspension — (Alcohol Related for Individuals under 21 years of age) — $70 fee for each Suspension

    What cities and towns do you cover?

    We represent clients from all over Illinois and even outside of Illinois at formal and informal hearings. Some of the more common Southern Illinois cities we represent clients from are:

    Albion, IL Anna, IL
    Belleville, IL Benton, IL
    Bethalto, IL Breese, IL
    Cairo, IL Carbondale, IL
    Carlyle, IL Carmi, IL
    Carterville, IL Centralia, IL
    Charleston, IL Chester, IL
    Columbia, IL Du Quoin, IL
    East St. Louis, IL Edwardsville, IL
    Effingham, IL El Dorado, IL
    Fairfield, IL Flora, IL
    Golconda, IL Granite City, IL
    Greenville, IL Harrisburg, IL
    Herrin, IL Hillsboro, IL
    Jerseyville, IL Lawrenceville, IL
    Marion, IL Marshall, IL
    Mascoutah, IL Mattoon, IL
    McLeansboro, IL Metropolis, IL
    Mounds, IL Mount Carmel, IL
    Mount Vernon, IL Murphysboro, IL
    Nashville, IL Newton, IL
    Olney, IL O’Fallon, IL
    Pinckneyville, IL Red Bud, IL
    Robinson, IL Rosiclaire, IL
    Salem, IL Shawneetown, IL
    Shelbyville, IL Shiloh, IL
    Sparta, IL Swansea, IL
    Vandalia, IL Vienna, IL
    Waterloo, IL West Frankfort, IL

    Get Back on the Road! Our Southern Illinois DUI Attorneys are Here to Help!

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    E-Mail Us Today at olsonreeves@mtvernonlaw.com

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