PROTECTING YOURSELF WHEN YOU ARE TICKETED AFTER AN ACCIDENT

THIS IS WHAT THE LAW SAYS:A guilty plea to a traffic offense, although not conclusive proof, is proper evidence against a defendant in a civil proceeding arising from the same incident even where the underlying charge has been finally dismissed without adjudication of guilt after defendant has received supervision. Wright v. Stokes, 522 N.E.2d 308, 311 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 1988). SO, WHAT ON EARTH DOES THAT MEAN??????????You are driving along and someone stops suddenly in front of you and you crash into the back of their car.  A police officer then shows up and gives you a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  You then think back to when you got a speeding ticket however many months or years ago and how you just plead guilty and in exchange for your guilty plea you received supervision for a few months and paid a fine.  You complied with the terms of your supervision, kept the points off of your driving record and all was grand.  Well, if you are hoping that this ticket plays out the same way you need to be aware that your current situation is a bit different.  If you plead guilty to the failure to reduce speed offense, this plea could be used against you if you are sued by the other driver. If you have been ticketed after an accident or would like help with any other traffic or criminal charge that you are facing, please do yourself a favor and contact Zach Pashea at the Law Office of Keith Short for a free consultation.  618-254-0055.