How do I know if i need a formal or an Informal license reinstatement hearing?

As a drivers license lawyer in Illinois, I am often asked by prospective clients whether they need a formal or informal hearing.  As a general rule of thumb, if a person has been arrested for two DUIs over the course of their life, most often they will need a formal hearing.  Anything more than two DUIs requires a formal hearing 99% of the time.  When a client has only been arrested one time in Illinois but failed to complete the terms of the court supervision assessed by the court where he was arrested, he or she will probably be eligible for an informal license reinstatement here.

More and more I see clients who have been arrested only one time from outside the state of Illinois. Their lawyers often tell them that they got the charge reduced from what is considered a DUI in that state. Unfortunately, Illinois considers most reduced charges from DUI as a DUI conviction in the state of Illinois. Therefore, because Illinois treats the out-of-state DUI as a conviction the person's license is revoked in Illinois and they are required to have at least an informal hearing.  If the person who receives an out-of-state DUI has multiple DUIs I'm his or her background, he will be required to have a formal hearing. If the out-of-state DUI was the persons only DUI arrest, he will be eligible immediately for an informal hearing in Illinois.

If you have restrictions placed on your drivers license in Illinois because of a DUI arrest, take a look at some of our successful cases or feel free to call us at any time.

Posted by Illinois license reinstatement lawyer John Callahan