It’s a fact that traffic tickets are often a significant revenue source for local police departments throughout DuPage County. Event the safest drivers make mistakes, and chances are that at some point in your life, you will see the unwelcoming red and blue flashing lights of a police cruiser behind you. The information in the post is meant as a basic guide for you to use in the event you do get a traffic ticket in DuPage County.
What happens when you get a traffic ticket in DuPage County?
Many times, your drivers license will be held as bond until you enter a plea of guilty, or are found innocent of the violation in question. By paying your traffic ticket fine, you are automatically entering a guilty plea and waiving your right to a trial in traffic court. Many times, to avoid the hassle of going to court, drivers simply admit guilt and pay the fine to the DuPage County Clerk. If you feel you have a strong case to contest the traffic ticket, you may want to fight the ticket in court.
I’m Guilty – DuPage County Traffic Ticket Prices & Payments
Fines for traffic violations are generally as follows, but you should always verify your fine payment amount:
- Minor traffic violations in DuPage County – $120 fine
- Excessive speeding violations (21-30 mph over) – $140 fine
- Seat belt violations – $60 fine
If you are ticketed for speeding 31mph or more over the posted limit, for speeding in a construction or school zone, or for inability to present proof of insurance, you will be required to appear in court. Fines for for these violations are often left to the judges discretion (on a case-by-case basis). These types of traffic tickets should be clearly marked with “COURT APPEARANCE REQUIRED.”
Additional fees may be assessed based on your method of payment. For example, credit card payments below $250 are assessed a $5 processing fee. Any credit card payment above $250 will be assessed an additional fee of 2% of the payment amount.
Be sure to contact the DuPage County Clerk (630-407-5500) if you have any questions or concerns regarding ticket payments. The DuPage County Clerk’s office is open from 8AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.
I’m Innocent – What to Expect in DuPage County Traffic Court
If you are going to contest your traffic ticket, you will need to do so via a trial held in the DuPage County Circuit Court. Your case will be tried in one of five traffic courts located throughout DuPage County. These are the traffic court locations as of this article’s posting date:
DuPage County Main Traffic Court
DuPage County Judicial Center
505 N County Farm Road
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
DuPage County Field Traffic Courts
Addison Field Court
3 Friendship Plaza
Addison, IL 60101
The Addison Field Court is located at the Addison Municipal Center at 131 West Lake St.
Downers Grove Field Court
4000 Saratoga Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
The Downers Grove Field Court is located in American Legion Post 80 (north of Ogden Avenue on Saratoga).
Glendale Heights Field Court
300 E Fullerton Avenue
Glendale Heights, IL 60139
The Glendale Heights Field Court is located in the Glendale Heights Village Hall building.
Wheaton Field Court
Court Room # 2-800
421 County Farm Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
The Wheaton Field Court is located just west of the DuPage County Judicial Center (located at 505 North County Farm).
If you plan to fight your traffic ticket, you have the option of defending yourself or hiring an attorney to assist with your case. If you do plan to hire an attorney, you will want to hire a competent attorney who is familiar with the DuPage County traffic court system. You should understand that if you lose your case in court, you may have to pay the original traffic ticket price and court costs assessed at the trial.
DuPage County Traffic Court Resources & Links
- If you receive a traffic ticket in DuPage County, a good starting-point for more information can be found on the website for the DuPage County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Be sure to read the frequently asked questions (FAQ).
- To pay your DuPage County traffic ticket fine, visit the DuPage Case website. The site allows you to review your case information, pay fines, and check court dates and schedules.
- Should you feel the need to retain a lawyer to represent you in traffic court, a good starting point to find an attorney would be the DuPage County Bar Association’s website. Using their “Find-a-Lawyer” tool, select “Traffic” (under “Criminal Law”) from the “Practice Area” drop-down box, then select a DuPage County city near you from the next drop-down box.
- If you wish to review case law and other resources to prepare your defense independently, you may want to visit the DuPage County Law Library.