Illinois law has very strict and specific driver's license reinstatement procedures. The Illinois Secretary of State is required to revoke the driver's license of anyone convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI, DWI or drunk driving). Individuals subject to a revoked license or discretionary suspension must seek relief through the Secretary of State Department of Administrative Hearings. Prior to the hearing, however, these persons must meet certain minimum requirements, which include:

• Evaluation: An alcohol and drug evaluation prepared by a licensed evaluator;
• Treatment: Based on the evaluation, the required treatment hours will be determined (none, 12, 20 or 75);
• Driver Risk Education: A ten-hour course that focuses on the effects alcohol has upon driving;
• Abstinence: Those classified as alcohol dependent must prove no use of alcohol for at least twelve months before the hearing date; and
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or non-traditional support: Those classified as alcohol dependent must prove that they established a support program to maintain abstinence, either AA or non-traditional support (such as friends and family or church).

Satisfying the minimum requirements, however, rarely results in obtaining any kind of driving relief, whether it be a restricted driving permit or full reinstatement.

During the course of the administrative hearing, the Secretary of State will ask questions of the applicants to determine whether or not to reinstate their driver's license. The hearing officer then writes a report and a decision. If the decision is a denial, the report explains the reasons for the denial. If at the time of the next hearing the applicant has not addressed the issues to the satisfaction of the Secretary of State, another denial will be issued.

Attorney Harvatin has extensive experience with Secretary of State hearings. For fifteen years, he was a hearing officer. Because of this experience, he knows what kinds of questions to prepare for in advance, as well as all of the tricks and traps that the Secretary of State will use.

In addition, the Secretary of State staff is far more likely to regard you and your case seriously when you are represented by an experienced driver's license reinstatement lawyer with whom they are familiar. The likelihood that you will cause long-term harm to your case is greatly reduced if you have a battle-tested attorney like Mr. Harvatin on your side.

At Harvatin Law Offices of Springfield, Illinois, we offer a flexible fee schedule that is based on the complexity of your case. All charges will be fully explained to you, and your confidentiality is guaranteed.

Having a driver's license is too important for you to take chances. If you are in need of a skilled and reliable driver's license reinstatement lawyer to represent you at a Springfield hearing and you live in Peoria, Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Quincy, Danville or elsewhere throughout Illinois, contact us today to learn how we can be of service to you.