Latest news with #DUIs


Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
New legal guide helps Illinois drivers regain licenses cost-effectively
Illinois, USA - Driver Defense Team, Chicagoland's premier trial law firm for Illinois drivers, today announced the release of their new eBook, "How to Get Your License Back After DUIs: The Ultimate Guide to Illinois Secretary of State Reinstatement Hearings." This step-by-step guide combines the knowledge and experience of a 30-strong team of attorneys and legal professionals who have helped hundreds of Illinois residents get back on the road after having their license revoked — sometimes for years or even decades. "I talk to people all the time who have gone 20, even 30, years without a license," says Derek Martin, Partner and Co-Founder of the firm. "And we get why. The whole process poses a lot of questions with very few answers, and it's usually a lot easier to put it off. For less than the cost of lunch, we give people the answers they need. We've held nothing back." Demystifying Driver Revocation in Illinois In Illinois, driving is considered a privilege, not a right. This key distinction means the Secretary of State can take away a driver's license if they pose a threat to public safety. This can happen in many situations, including accumulating too many traffic violations, committing a serious offense, or neglecting financial responsibilities, such as failing to pay child support. Just as the Secretary of State can take away someone's license, they can give it back. But the process can be complicated. You'll have to attend a formal or an informal hearing, answer questions, and prove you won't threaten public safety if your driving privileges are reinstated. You might also need to meet additional requirements, such as completing a treatment program and drug and alcohol evaluation, and getting high-risk insurance. But before you can even consider attending a hearing to get your license back, you must be eligible. What many people don't realize is that the Secretary of State will let you go through the entire process of gathering evidence and attending a hearing even if you're not legally eligible. By following the advice given in How to Get Your License Back, you can avoid the stress and wasted time of attending a reinstatement hearing when the only possible outcome is that your request will be denied. The book covers every aspect of license reinstatement in Illinois, sharing all the secrets and tips from attorneys who exclusively deal with driving issues: How to determine if you're eligible (and alternatives for if you're not) How to get a copy of your driving abstract and step-by-step instructions on how to read it An in-depth explanation of the different types of hearings... and which is right for you The exact questions the Secretary of State will ask you (and how to answer them) How all those old tickets from back in the day can influence the Secretary of State's decision, and how to clean them up before your hearing. More Than an Inconvenience Having your license revoked can affect a person's entire life. For many, driving is essential for employment. Public transport and ridesharing services can be a short-term fix, but they're not financially sustainable in the long run. Public transport isn't even an option for those who transport tools or work across multiple locations. Then, there's the strain on family relationships. What begins as a spouse or older child being happy to help out turns into you becoming a burden. Derek continues, "Many clients tell us about the strain their license revocation has placed on their spouses, children, or other family members who have been tasked with driving them everywhere. Over time, this can cause tension and resentment within a household. For many people, this is a key motivator to start the process of getting their license back. "With this book, we're putting the power back in drivers' hands so they can get their licenses back — without the cost of hiring a lawyer." How to Get Your License Back After DUIs is available now through the Driver Defense Team website at for $7.00. About Driver Defense Team Driver Defense Team is the go-to firm for Chicagoland drivers facing traffic and license issues. With thousands of 5-star reviews and a client-satisfaction guarantee, the firm has helped thousands of Illinois residents with license reinstatement, DUI defense, CDL issues, and more across Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Kane County. Media Contact Company Name: Driver Defense Team Contact Person: Derek Martin Email: Send Email Address: 53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 140 City: Chicago State: Illinois, 60604 Country: United States Website:

Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
New legal guide helps Illinois drivers regain licenses cost-effectively
Illinois, USA - Driver Defense Team, Chicagoland's premier trial law firm for Illinois drivers, today announced the release of their new eBook, 'How to Get Your License Back After DUIs: The Ultimate Guide to Illinois Secretary of State Reinstatement Hearings.' This step-by-step guide combines the knowledge and experience of a 30-strong team of attorneys and legal professionals who have helped hundreds of Illinois residents get back on the road after having their license revoked — sometimes for years or even decades. 'I talk to people all the time who have gone 20, even 30, years without a license,' says Derek Martin, Partner and Co-Founder of the firm. 'And we get why. The whole process poses a lot of questions with very few answers, and it's usually a lot easier to put it off. For less than the cost of lunch, we give people the answers they need. We've held nothing back.' Demystifying Driver Revocation in Illinois In Illinois, driving is considered a privilege, not a right. This key distinction means the Secretary of State can take away a driver's license if they pose a threat to public safety. This can happen in many situations, including accumulating too many traffic violations, committing a serious offense, or neglecting financial responsibilities, such as failing to pay child support. Just as the Secretary of State can take away someone's license, they can give it back. But the process can be complicated. You'll have to attend a formal or an informal hearing, answer questions, and prove you won't threaten public safety if your driving privileges are reinstated. You might also need to meet additional requirements, such as completing a treatment program and drug and alcohol evaluation, and getting high-risk insurance. But before you can even consider attending a hearing to get your license back, you must be eligible. What many people don't realize is that the Secretary of State will let you go through the entire process of gathering evidence and attending a hearing even if you're not legally eligible. By following the advice given in How to Get Your License Back, you can avoid the stress and wasted time of attending a reinstatement hearing when the only possible outcome is that your request will be denied. The book covers every aspect of license reinstatement in Illinois, sharing all the secrets and tips from attorneys who exclusively deal with driving issues: More Than an Inconvenience Having your license revoked can affect a person's entire life. For many, driving is essential for employment. Public transport and ridesharing services can be a short-term fix, but they're not financially sustainable in the long run. Public transport isn't even an option for those who transport tools or work across multiple locations. Then, there's the strain on family relationships. What begins as a spouse or older child being happy to help out turns into you becoming a burden. Derek continues, 'Many clients tell us about the strain their license revocation has placed on their spouses, children, or other family members who have been tasked with driving them everywhere. Over time, this can cause tension and resentment within a household. For many people, this is a key motivator to start the process of getting their license back. 'With this book, we're putting the power back in drivers' hands so they can get their licenses back — without the cost of hiring a lawyer.' How to Get Your License Back After DUIs is available now through the Driver Defense Team website at for $7.00. About Driver Defense Team Driver Defense Team is the go-to firm for Chicagoland drivers facing traffic and license issues. With thousands of 5-star reviews and a client-satisfaction guarantee, the firm has helped thousands of Illinois residents with license reinstatement, DUI defense, CDL issues, and more across Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Kane County. Media Contact Company Name: Driver Defense Team Contact Person: Derek Martin Email: Send Email Address:53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 140 City: Chicago State: Illinois, 60604 Country: United States Website: Source: PR Company
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DUIs leading to parent's death would require child support from driver under Alabama bill
A police car behind crime scene tape. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, has filed a bill that would require those convicted of DUIs involcving the death of a parent to pay child support for the victim's children. (Getty Images) An Alabama Senate committee is considering legislation that would require individuals to support the child of another family if they are convicted of a driving under the influence offense that resulted in a parent's death. The Senate Judiciary Committee delayed action last week on SB 167, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would require such support to be paid until the child turns 19. 'The premise is to make sure we take care of the minor children that are left behind if the breadwinner is killed,' Orr said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX He told the committee that the idea from the bill originated from Texas. Orr said he thought to himself, 'Well, if it will prevent DUIs (driving under the influence), to know how serious we are about it.' The penalty would be in addition to other restitution that an individual who is convicted of the crime would owe. A death resulting from a person operating a motor vehicle or vessel while intoxicated is considered criminally negligent homicide under Alabama law, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Language in the bill states that the court may consider the financial needs and resources of the surviving children as well as the parent or guardian, or the state of Alabama if no one else is available to care for the children. Other factors the court could consider include the standard of living of the family, the physical and emotional needs of the children as well as educational considerations. 'The reasonable work-related child care expenses of the surviving parent or guardian,' the bill states. Orr also proposed an amendment to the legislation stating that the penalty is separate from any civil penalties that a court may impose in the case because of wrongful death, which could add to the financial burden of those who are convicted. Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore, had concerns that the penalty could effectively require the person convicted of the parent's death to have a relationship with the family whose loved one was killed. 'I don't know if we want to go that route,' he said to the committee. 'I can see creative lawyers using that in that way.' Albritton also said he was concerned about the broader impact the legislation has on the community. 'What about the guy who does this, and he has a family of his own?' Albritton said. 'We are not only punishing the individual, but we are also taking, and affecting more people, for the act of an individual. I think we need to be cautious of this.' Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, asked the committee to consider the situation when a parent loses a child because a person is driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 'If we are going to do something like this, I think we need to consider all cases when things happen by someone,' she said. After hearing all the arguments, Orr withdrew his proposed amendment and requested that a vote be delayed. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE