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When some people think of traffic violations they assume they can just pay a ticket and forget it ever happened. Not true! Unfortunately, there are several different types of traffic offenses that require you show your face in a court room.

Some traffic violation convictions can come with heavy fines, a suspended license, jail time, and other penalties, so be sure to have an attorney on your side. Brian Polinske has represented clients convicted of all types of traffic violations and knows what needs to be proved in order to have a case dismissed.

Not sure if your traffic offense requires a court appearance? Here are traffic violations in Illinois that come with a mandatory court date:

• All alleged Class A and Class B misdemeanor violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code
• All alleged violations of the Child Passenger Protection Act
• Any traffic offense which results in an accident causing the death of any person or injury to any person other than the accused
• Any minor traffic offenses where the statutory minimum fine is greater than $95, except in certain specific situations
• Operating Without Insurance
• Operating When Registration Suspended for Noninsurance
• No Valid Driver's License
• Violation of Classification
• Operating in Violation of Restricted License or Permit
• Unlawful Use of License or Permit
• Making a False Report
• Passing a School Bus (Loading or Unloading)
• Refusal to stop and submit vehicle and load to weighing after being directed to do so by an officer, or removal of load prior to weighing
• Violation of Excess Size or Weight Permit

 

It may feel like there are many random exceptions, so if you are confused, call Polinske & Associates at (888) 379-6582 to take advantage of our free initial consultation. We will help you understand what you've been charged with, and then work hard to clear your name.

When you are seriously injured in an auto accident, your one and only immediate concern should be healing and getting healthy again. However, as you're able to leave the hospital and begin your recovery at home, the reality of the situation may begin to sink in for you.

You're probably thinking something along the lines of, "Who is going to pay for all of this? I definitely don't have the money to pay all of these medical bills."

You were not responsible for the accident and because of that, you should not have to pay anything out of your own pocket. This is where an experienced personal injury attorney can step in and make sure you are properly compensated.

In the beginning, many people only see the amount of money they owe different doctors and want to recover those funds. However, with car accident damages, you need to look at the big picture: past, present and future. This is not just about what happened to you and what is happening to you now; we need to think about how your injuries are going to affect your life in the long run. You could be entitled to damages that may include compensation for:

• Current medical bills and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and future lost wages
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering

The insurance company may be trying to pressure you into accepting a settlement, but you should not accept anything until you speak with a car accident attorney at Polinske & Associates. You may think the insurance company's initial offer seems fair, but your attorney will help you look at all the details and figure out how much more you could ultimately be owed.

Ready to talk? Give us a call or fill out our online contact form.

It is not uncommon for at least one of the parties in a family court matter to be unhappy with the final decision.

Some people resign to the fact that they will just have to live with it, but others immediately look into a “Plan B.” If a mistake was made at the trial court level, a good “Plan B” is seeking an appeal.

If you are thinking about appealing a decision related to divorce, child custody, child support, or another family law issue, you should really schedule a consultation with Polinske & Associates immediately. A Notice of Appeal needs to be filed within 30 days of a final order, so if you don’t act quickly, you lose your right to an appeal. Your first consultation is free, and you will be able to find out from an experienced family law appeals attorney whether or not your appeal has any legs to stand on. Remember, an appeal is valid if an actual mistake was made, but not if you just aren’t satisfied with the outcome.

The appellate court does not hear your entire case over again. Their job is to review what already happened by taking a look at all of the pleadings, motions, and other documents that were filed. They will also consult a written record of the oral proceedings to learn about exactly what was said and what happened in the court room. You are, however, entitled to file a written brief that explains what your case is about, why you think the court’s original decision was incorrect, and supporting legal reasons to prove why the decision was wrong. Your family law appeals attorney will be able to help you craft this.

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If you just received a call from your SIUE student to tell you that he was arrested for DUI, you're probably struggling with a lot of different emotions right now. Part of you wants to run to help him immediately, while another part of you is probably angry and wants to teach him "tough love." Many parents find it difficult to decide which method will ultimately help their child the most in the long run.

In the end, it is ultimately up to you how much you want to help him. However, it is important to consider a few things before you make your decision. First of all, your child has already gone through a lot of stress and embarrassment; he has ridden in the back of a police car, been arrested, fingerprinted, and probably placed in a jail cell. This experience in itself can be a huge reality check for your arrested SIUE student.

You must also realize that leaving your son to fend for himself after a DUI arrest can affect him for many years to come. He may have trouble finding a job, he may watch his car insurance rates skyrocket, and he may never be able to obtain certain types of professional licenses.

There are many other ways you can punish your child—or show your disapproval—following a DUI arrest without ruining his future. If you want to help your child, contact Polinske & Associates immediately. Attorney Brian Polinske is a top DUI attorney in the Edwardsville area and he has extensive experience helping SIUE students and their families.

Ready to talk? Give us a call or fill out our easy online contact form and we will get right back to you.

When a person is arrested, she may be temporarily relieved to find out she can post bond and go free until her court date. However, many questions soon arise about the situation:

• How am I going to pay such a large amount of money?
• Can I borrow money from someone else to post bond?
• What is the difference between bail and bond?

We understand that it can seem confusing, but here's what you need to know about secured bonds versus unsecured bonds:

Secured Bonds

A secured bond is the most common type of bond. With a secured bond, you pay cash or offer some type of property or real estate you own (or someone does this on your behalf) as collateral to assure that you will appear in court on your court date. If the amount is simply too much, a bail bondsman can post the bail on your behalf, for a fee. The bondsman will promise the court that they will pay the full amount of bail if you do not show up in court. The fee for a bond is typically about ten percent of the bail amount.

Unsecured Bonds

Unsecured bonds are less common, but may be available in situations where a fairly minor crime was committed and if you have little to no criminal history. With an unsecured bond, you can sign a written promise to appear in court; payment will only be required if you fail to appear in court on your assigned date. This bond is based purely on good faith.

Have a question about posting bond in the Edwardsville area? Fill out our simple online contact form and our criminal defense law firm will get right back to you!