What Illinois Drivers Need to Know About Wisconsin Traffic Violations

 Posted on November 23, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Since Wisconsin and Illinois are neighboring states, there are many situations where drivers who reside in Illinois will visit or travel through Wisconsin. While many drivers are able to avoid any serious incidents, some drivers may be pulled over by police officers and issued traffic violations. Because the two states have different laws, a person who lives in Illinois may not realize the consequences they may face if they receive a Wisconsin traffic ticket. Failure to follow the correct procedures could result in unexpected penalties, so before paying a traffic ticket or taking other steps to address a violation, it is a good idea for these drivers to consult with an attorney who is experienced in Wisconsin traffic laws.

Consequences of a Traffic Violation Conviction

The state of Wisconsin uses a points-based system for assessing penalties for traffic violations. Different violations will cause a certain number of demerit points to be added to a person’s driving record. If 12 points are added to a person’s record within one year, their driver’s license will be suspended.

Illinois uses a combination of a points-based and conviction-based system. Traffic violation convictions will add points to a person’s driving record, but any three convictions within one year will result in a person’s license being suspended, and the accumulated point values will determine the length of the suspension. However, drivers in Illinois may be able to avoid convictions by asking a court to issue a sentence of court supervision. This option is often available even without the need to appear in traffic court after receiving a ticket. Following an order of court supervision, a person may be required to pay a fine or attend traffic school, and if they do not receive any other traffic violations during their period of supervision, they will not be convicted of a traffic violation, and no points will be added to their record.

Because Wisconsin does not use court supervision, Illinois drivers may face unexpected penalties if they receive a traffic violation while in the neighboring state. If a driver pays the fine for a traffic ticket that was issued in Wisconsin, this will be considered a conviction in Illinois. With the addition of a conviction to their driving record, Illinois drivers may face the possibility of a license suspension, as well as increased insurance rates. Illinois drivers could potentially face significant consequences for multiple types of traffic violations, including speeding, failure to use seat belts, disobeying traffic signs or signals, failure to yield, illegal turns, illegal passing, or equipment violation such as burnt-out headlights or taillights.

Contact Our Milwaukee County Traffic Violation Lawyers

If you are an Illinois driver who has received a traffic ticket in Wisconsin, Bucher Law Group, LLC can help you determine the best actions to take. We can provide you with representation in the traffic court where your violation occurred, and we may be able to have a ticket reduced to a non-moving violation to help you avoid a conviction on your driving record. To set up a free consultation and learn how we can help with your case, contact our Ozaukee County traffic ticket attorneys at 262-303-4916.

Sources:

https://wisconsindot.gov/pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/point-system.aspx

https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/shared/bds109.pdf

https://www.cookcountycourt.org/ABOUT-THE-COURT/Municipal-Department/Traffic-Division/Court-Supervision