DUI SR22 Auto Insurance in Illinois

Reader’s Question:

A friend’s Dad was arrested for drunk driving in Peoria, Illinois. He was asked to file an SR22. What happens if he refuses to do this?

Karen

Peoria, IL

Good Question, Karen.

An SR22 is one of the means in Illinois to monitor the insurance of problem drivers. Through this process, mandatory insurance is enforced in the most efficient way. Illinois citizens are protected from uninsured motorists through the Financial Responsibility Law.

SR22 is required in Illinois by individuals with safety responsibility suspensions, unsatisfied judgment suspensions, revocations, mandatory insurance supervisions and individuals who receive three or more convictions for mandatory insurance violations.

In short, your Dad’s friend cannot refuse to file an SR22. This certificate of insurance is filed by the home office of an insurance company directly to the Secretary of State. This may be obtained by contacting an insurance company that is authorized to write SR-22 policies for Illinois.

Hiring an Illinois DUI Attorney – What Should I Consider?

READER QUESTION:

What are things I should consider when i am looking into hiring an Illinois DUI attorney?

Marisol

GOOD QUESTION, MARISOL.

The first question I would confront the lawyer with with when you step into their office is: “Will you be handling my case, or are you going to delegate it to someone else?” It’s extremely important for you to hold your consultation with the person who will actually be representing you, so that you can correctly evaluate their abilities. If you’ll be represented by someone other than the consultee, you’re just wasting your time.

On a similar note, experience is one of the number one things you should focus on, and particularly in the area of DUI, and even more narrowly in the type of DUI case you have. Just because your lawyer is a couple of decades out of law school doesn’t mean they know their stuff in this are–they may have been practicing divorce law all that time.

Secondly, you should keep in mind how you relate to the lawyer and also the fees involved. You should get your fees in a written fee agreement so that you can assess them beforehand.

–Fashun.