Illinois Secretary of State Administrative Hearings
If you’ve had your Illinois driver’s license suspended and are about to go before a Secretary of State hearing in Joliet, Chicago, Springfield, or any other city in the state, you should secure expert legal representation to make sure you are adequately prepared. Attorneys Michael Johnson and Judd Goldrich have successfully represented thousands of Illinois residents seeking reinstatement of their driving privileges, and they are ready to represent you as well.
Losing your driving privileges can have a devastating effect on your life, making it difficult to get to work or school, fulfill normal family obligations, or travel.
Fortunately, there is hope to get you back on the road.
The Secretary of State has created a driver’s license reinstatement hearing program, allowing individuals seeking to reinstate their driving privileges the opportunity to prove that they were properly classified by their case evaluators, have received the appropriate treatment from their providers, and are no longer a threat to public safety.
Informal and Formal Hearings in Illinois
If you have a suspension or revocation on your driving record and are looking to regain your driving privileges, you must go through a hearing. There are two types of hearings that drivers must endure if they wish to receive a restricted driving permit or full reinstatement of their license. These include informal and formal hearings.
Informal hearings are offered for driving offenses that do not involve a fatality. Examples of this can include a first-time DUI arrest or a minor moving violation. At an informal hearing, only the Secretary of State hearing officer, you, and your attorney are present. The decision is explained in a short letter, and you may obtain a restricted driver’s permit or have your license reinstated.
Formal hearings are held for offenses involving a fatality or for multiple DUI convictions. Through the Illinois Secretary of State, formal hearings are recorded, and those present include the SOS hearing officer, you, your attorney, and an attorney representing the Illinois Secretary of State. You will not receive a decision on the day of your hearing, and it may take up to 90 days for the report to be prepared. As a result of the hearing, you may receive a restricted driver’s permit, have your license reinstated, or receive a denial of reinstatement.
If you have any concerns before your hearing or considering legal representation, we encourage you to look into our guide on the Illinois Secretary of State’s informal hearing questions and myths.
Hiring An Attorney For Your Hearing
To properly prepare for a reinstatement hearing, whether that’s a formal or informal hearing with the Secretary of State in Illinois, you should seek legal representation.
At Johnson & Goldrich, our attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and experience to review your evaluations, report updates, treatment documentation, and whatever else is needed by the Secretary of State. Prior to your hearing, you and your attorney should be well-prepared. Our law group will utilize all of our resources to make sure you get your driving privileges back.
The challenge is significant, and you shouldn’t try to do all this on your own. Call Johnson & Goldrich at (312) 795-1801 today, and let us put our 25 years of legal experience to work for you.