Latest news with #DerekMartin
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
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Josh Bashford's family say court delays have 'destroyed' them
A family say they have been "destroyed" by multiple delays of the trial of a man who is accused of murdering their son and his wife in their family Bashford, 33, and his 30-year-old wife, Chloe, died in Newhaven in June 2023, and a man was charged by police soon after.A trial has been postponed five times - delays which Josh's mother, Sharon Bashford, said were "cruel", and had left the family feeling there has not been any justice for her Ministry of Justice said in a statement: "We know that justice delayed is justice denied, and it is clear there are many cases taking far too long to go to trial." Mrs Bashford said: "We're fighting every day and it takes so much strength from us. We can't move on with our lives."We're tired. We're finding it difficult to cope. We don't sleep, we just exist."In August 2023, Derek Martin, from Moulsecoomb in Brighton, denied murdering the couple.A trial was due to begin in October of that year, but following a series of delays, a brief hearing was held last trial was then adjourned until delays have meant that the family were left not knowing how Josh died, Mrs Bashford said. Josh's dad, Andrew Bashford, said his family felt they were treated like a "non-entity" by the court said: "I think the victim's families are largely forgotten in all this, and I think they should be at the forefront of everyone's thoughts. "It needs to be resolved as quickly as possible so they can try to move on without causing more anguish and stress."Billy Bashford, Josh's younger brother, said being repeatedly let down had been "traumatising".He said: "It feels like we're in a place where we have no power. You get prepared to find out what happened - to get justice - you sort out time off work, and childcare, only to be told it won't happen. It's very hard mentally."You do lose faith in the justice system. Two people are gone and nothing's been done. It's destroyed us." The couple were described as "amazing parents" to their four young children by their families after their April, Chris Ward, the MP for Brighton & Kemptown and Peacehaven, raised the case in Parliament, and called for trials to be conducted more of Justice figures show there were now 75,000 crown court cases waiting to be heard, with the growing backlog meaning new cases are now being planned for a statement it acknowledged many cases taking far too long to go to trial. The statement added: "That's why we've asked Sir Brian Leveson to propose once-in-a-generation reform to address the outstanding backlog in our courts."Alongside this we're also providing funding for a record level of sitting days this financial year, raising national court capacity to deliver swifter justice for victims."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Breeze Airways flight to Tampa makes return three months earlier than 2024
The seasonal Breeze Airways flight taking people from Erie to Tampa will return later this year, a whole three months ahead of the start of flights last season. Erie airport officials confirmed that Breeze flights to and from Tampa will return on October 1 and offer flights there for seven months of the year. Construction on new Edison Elementary progressing after initial delays Derek Martin, executive director of the Erie International Airport, told JET 24/FOX 66 reporter Matt Mathias that Breeze saw great seasonal demand with the Tampa service in its first few months of providing the option. 'We do have the snow birds that go down there, but you also have businesses in town. Lecom and Gannon both have campuses not far from Tampa. It allows them to go to and from. There are students that come up from Tampa up to Erie. It's a combination of both, as well as the leisure travelers going to Tampa for amusement down there. There's the great beaches of Clearwater, some of the best in the world,' said Martin. Fuhrman-Brown Precision Tool zoning request tabled In the first season of Tampa flights, Breeze offered flights for only about four months from, January to April. Martin said if there's continued success, there's always the possibility that more destinations are added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Time flies: Get your REAL ID by May 7 if planning to take a domestic flight
May 7 is the federal enforcement date for REAL ID in Pennsylvania. If you are planning on traveling domestically by aircraft after May 7, a REAL ID or valid U.S. passport (with state-issued ID) will be required as a form of identification needed to board a plane, access federal facilities or enter a nuclear powerplant. Other forms of identification to clear the security process for boarding a plane include a U.S. passport card, DHS trusted travelers card or military ID. Derek Martin, the executive director of the Erie International Airport, said that the process to get a REAL ID is simple and will give you access to facilities that most Americans need to get to throughout their lives. "You should go get it," Martin said. "It's a painless process and people who are having problems are ones that are having to get their names changed because of marriage or have improper identification." You can visit PennDOT's website or go to the driver license center at 7200 Peach St. to find out what documentation is required for a REAL ID. The REAL ID website states that you will at minimum need documentation providing your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two proofs of address of principal residence and lawful status. A REAL ID has been a long time coming About a month before the REAL ID enforcement date, the Erie International Airport along with Pennsylvania Travel Secretary Michael Carroll and AAA held a joint news conference to get the word out. Martin said that they have been trying to promote REAL IDs since 2019, but the deadline has been pushed back multiple times over the years. The REAL ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 to enact the 9/11 Commission's recommendation "...that the Federal Government 'set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver's licenses and identification cards,'" according to the Department of Homeland Security website. This act established "...minimum security standards for license issuance and production and prohibit federal agencies from accepting for certain official purposes noncompliant driver's licenses and identification cards." Martin said that the REAL ID isn't just needed for airports, you will also need them to assist you through federal facilities or when dealing with the Social Security Administration. Please enable Javascript to view this content. What if you don't have a REAL ID at the airport? Officials at the Erie International Airport aren't expecting a fully smooth transition process. They know there will be hiccups and delays or even a little confusion in the beginning. "It's going to have some hiccups for people who don't travel on a regular basis," Martin said. "People who have traveled for the last two months through TSA would say that if someone showed up without the proper ID as of May 7th, your ID will not let you go through security. If that person says they haven't gotten their real ID yet but they have their passport, they can use a passport as a form of identification." To fly within the U.S., passengers 18 and older need either a REAL ID compliant driver's license or a valid U.S. passport (with state-issued photo ID). Other acceptable forms of ID include a U.S. passport card, DHS trusted traveler cards and a military ID. Get to the airport early when traveling For the matter of any protocols during the traveling with or without a REAL ID process, the Erie International Airport is expecting to handle everything case by case. "The suggestion nationwide is to get to the airport early," Martin said. "That way you don't have any hiccups." Travelers could expect some delays in the process, especially if traveling through a larger airport with multiple flights going out around the same time. "Here if we have a Breeze flight going out the same time as an American (flight), there's about 200 passengers trying to go through security," Martin said. "If you are at another airport and trying to go somewhere like Las Vegas, there's a lot more people going through security. So being prepared and having proper identification would be helpful." If you are not able to get a REAL ID before the May 7 enforcement date but have to travel through aircraft, Martin says it would be wise to bring other forms of official identification including a Social Security card, passport and or a birth certificate. "But those sort of things can assist you with proving your identity to the TSA officers," Martin said. More: Erie airport passenger numbers are climbing. How that could fuel new flights If you need additional information on a REAL ID, visit the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's website. Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Why a REAL ID is important to have when flying
