Legal Question in Traffic Law in Illinois

Hi, I recently back in Janurary, got pulled over for a rolling stop in snow conditions. The police officer pulled me over jsut as I was pulling into my driveway. He told me after asking if I had proof of insurance and lisence, that my auto insurance was two months expired. I have had that car in and out of getting fixed now for over 5 years of having it. So it didn't cross my mind to think that I only paid up til Nove 2012, instead of it automatically getting reinstated Jan. point being...he said the best he could dow as give me a ticket for expired insurance, I ahd to bring that to my court date tomorrow and show proof of current insurance, I paid for new insurance right after getting that ticket (I mean immediatly, i went in the hosue and purchases online insurance) My court date is tomorrow. the cop said if i show proof of insurance while i was driving they shoudl drop it. What my question is, I recently ahve sold that car to a junk ayrd due to too many problems and $$ that I got pulled over in, I ahve the title and everything. and ahve cancelled teh insurance since I haven't driven. will the judge jsut make me pay the fine? I'm really hoping so...I can't afford to ahve my lisence suspended if I need to borrow a car for work. thanks


Asked on 2/12/13, 12:47 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

The question will be whether or not you were insured at the time you were pulled over, not whether you still own the car. So if you can't prove you had insurance at the time, the ticket is valid. Whether the judge will still fine you because you sold the car, but got insurance to drive the car you are borrowing, then will be in the court's discretion. Without knowing your driver's record in total if you are concerned about the possibility of having your license suspended for any period of time, now would be a good time to get a lawyer to go to court with you.

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Answered on 2/12/13, 2:54 pm


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