Secretary of State Driver's License Reinstatement and Work Permits
Illinois’ DUI and Driver’s License reinstatement laws are tough. In fact, Illinois has some of the toughest laws in the country. The laws are very strict, very detailed, and very confusing. Moreover, the laws are constantly changing, and sometimes it seems that the system is designed so that you will fail.
If you’ve lost your license, or you think you are going to lose your license soon, you may have heard horror stories about how long it is going to take for you to get your license back, In fact, you’ve probably heard that it may be many years before you get your license back. It does not have to be this way, but if you do not document your treatment properly and prepare for your hearing thoroughly, these horror stories may come true.
- In 2004, we represented a client who had not his license since 1987. Yes, that means that he went without a driver’s license for approximately 17 years! He hired Gates, Wise & Schlosser and he was granted FULL REINSTATEMENT at his FIRST HEARING!
- In 2006, we represented a client who had been revoked since 1969. He hired Gates, Wise & Schlosser, and he was granted FULL REINSTATEMENT at his FIRST HEARING!
At Gates, Wise & Schlosser, our goal is to get you your license back as quick as possible. If you hire us, it is a partnership. In this process, it is your obligation to actively participate in treatment to address the issues that led to the loss of your driving privileges. It is our obligation to assist you in obtaining the paperwork the Secretary of State requires in order to thoroughly document your treatment experience. If you have previously been denied driving relief, it is our obligation to work with you and your treatment providers or evaluators to address the issues which were the basis of your denial. Our knowledge of administrative rules and regulations of the Secretary of State combined with your sincere efforts to address your alcohol abuse or dependence, you could be behind the wheel in just a few months after you lose your license.
- In 2006, we were able to do just that for a deserving, committed client. The client was arrested for DUI on April 15, 2006. He knew he was going to plead guilty, and he knew that his license would be revoked due to this conviction. He hired us to represent him in a Secretary of State Driver’s License Reinstatement Hearing before he was even convicted and had his license revoked. His conviction was on June 12, 20O6, and his license was revoked on June 12, 2006. By that time, the client had already successfully completed most of the things the Secretary of State requires before being eligible for a formal hearing. We had the client prepared for a hearing on July 31, 2006, and, on August 22, 2006, we received the order from the Secretary of State authorizing the client to obtain a work permit.
Please keep in mind that past results are not a guarantee of future success. Whether you, request for driving privileges is granted depends primarily on you and how hard you are willing to work.
You also may have heard horror stories about people trying many, many times to get their license back, only to get denied time after time after time, It seems that each time they go back, the Secretary of State finds another, different reason to deny them. But again, it does not have to be this way.
- In 2000, we were hired by a client, who had been denied five times. This man had been represented by counsel at two of his prior hearings. After hiring Gates, Wise & Schlosser, the client was unsuccessful in his administrative hearing, but we appealed that decision and won. The client obtained a work permit and received full reinstatement of his driving privileges at his next hearing.
- In July of 2006, we were hired by a client, who had been denied three times before he finally decided to hire an experienced lawyer. The client was granted full reinstatement of his driving privileges at his first hearing thanks to his hard work and the guidance and advice from one of our attorneys.
- In December of 2006, we represented a client at a hearing who had been denied four times on his own before he decided he needed help from an experienced lawyer. He hired us and was granted full reinstatement at his first hearing.
If you go in for a hearing unprepared — or worse, prepared improperly by an attorney who did not know the law or did not take the time to explain it to you — not only will you lose the hearing, but your next hearing will be even harder. You will not only have to deal with all of the same traps, pitfalls and confusing questions as before, but you will also have to explain and address the mistakes you made at your first hearing.
You need an experienced attorney who will take the time prepare your case properly. Our attorneys will be there to help you every step of the way. They will meet with you face to face at the beginning of the process to explain to you all of the steps along the way so you know exactly what to expect throughout the process. Our attorneys will meet with you on nights or on weekends if necessary to accommodate your schedule. We will work with your counselor/evaluator to make sure that there are no mistakes in your paperwork. We will make sure that you have all of the necessary exhibits, and then we will help you prepare all of the “extra” exhibits that help make your case stand out from the others. Finally, at the end, your attorney will meet with you as many times as it takes to prepare you for all of the questions that the Secretary of State Hearing Officer may ask you at your hearing.
Our attorneys have a proven track record of successfully obtaining driving privileges for our clients. We will compare our results with any of our competitors. Although past results are not a guarantee of future success, our continued commitment and partnership with our clients remain a key ingredient to successfully navigating through the Secretary of State’s complex rules and regulations and obtaining driving privileges for our deserving clients.
If we are the type of lawyers you want, contact us.
Gates, Wise & Schlosser, P.C.
1231 South 8th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Located near the Illinois State Capitol, a few blocks from downtown Springfield
Phone: 217.522.9010
Fax: 217.522.9020
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We serve clients in Springfield, Illinois, and in communities throughout the Central Illinois counties of Sangamon County, Montgomery County, Macon County, Christian County, Shelby County, Macoupin County, Morgan County, Menard County, Logan County, and Cass County, such as Lincoln, Jacksonville, and Decatur.