Losing Your CDL Privileges
When your income is dependent on your driver’s license, it is imperative that it remain up-to-date and valid at all times. When commercial driver's license (CDL) holding drivers see flashing lights behind them, they understand that it is not just a speeding ticket they may face, but the entirety of their career may be on the line. Therefore, it stands to reason that these drivers may be interested in a solution to dispute charges and keep their driving privileges.
How to Earn a CDL Suspension
To know how to avoid penalties, you must first understand the various behaviors that can potentially be punishable by a suspension upon entering a guilty plea. These charges include:
- Excessive speeding, 26 mph or more over the speed limit,
- Following too closely,
- Railroad crossing violations,
- Refusing to submit to a breathalyzer,
- Being convicted of a DUI,
- Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .04 percent,
- Reckless driving,
- Improper lane change,
- At fault of a fatal accident,
- Reckless homicide,
- Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) without a valid CDL or a CDL on your person, and
- Leaving the scene of an accident.
Do Not Plead Guilty
The first error that many commercial drivers make is to turn the ticket over and select “plead guilty” and pay the fine, hoping this resolves the problem. Another common issue is going to the mandated court appearance and orally announcing guilt. These are not options if you want to continue to pursue your commercial driving career. The best move you can make is to contact an attorney immediately as your career ultimately rests on the handling of your case. Each defense option directly relates to the circumstances surrounding each case, so there is no “one size fits all” choice here. A few arguments that can be considered are:
- The way in which the officer pulled you over,
- The length of time you have to respond to the ticket, or
- Negotiate for a lesser sentence.
If going to trial becomes your only option, having the right attorney for you can make the difference between winning and losing your case. Having an experienced and aggressive defense lawyer on your side will likely alleviate some stress by taking the pressure directly off of you and will directly provide you with legal options. Contact a proven Maywood, IL criminal defense attorney today by calling Stringini & Garvey, P.C. for your free initial consultation at 630-834-9595. We proudly serve clients in Maywood, Glendale Heights, Lombard, Bloomingdale, and all surrounding Chicagoland areas.
Sources:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-601.5.htm
http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-710.htm
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-1201
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-501
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-503
