When I was 18 years old, I got a DUI in the state of Indiana.  The state of Indiana said I was only to lose my license for 90 days.  When it transferred over to Illinois, it became two years.  Well, I'm 22 now and still do not have my license back.  I did 75 hours of DUI classes that I was ordered to do.  They said I could not come back to apply for a license for another year.

So, this year I went in for my informal hearing.  I wasn't fully prepared but did not do terribly on it.  They had a problem with one of my dates that I gave them of abstinence.  I was frustrated but okay with this.  The next time around, I had all of my stuff together, knew every date, and had all my letters filled out and dated with the correct information.  The hearing went great, and I came out feeling great.

I got a letter in the mail reading, "You have been declined for the following reasons..."  Their reasons were ludicrous and made up.  I had all of my things together and the paperwork was perfect. 

I had enough.  We went to an famed Rockford attorney that has the nickname of a certain breed of dog.  He specializes in only DUI cases.  The first thing he said to me was, "Why didn't you come to me first. There was no chance of you getting it back without me." This implied, no not implied, blatenly stated that it is silly for anyone in the Rockford area to think they have a chance to get their license back without his help.  His fees ranged from $1,200-$3,600 for him to help you with your case.  Basically, his job is to go through and make sure everything is in order.

He stated that the fact that his name being on my file will insure that I get it back.  He said he would give me a discount and would only have to pay $500 dollars because I already did all the work. I believe that this is a scam for not only the people down at the secretary of state to make money but for the famed attorney to make money as well.  It is apparent to me, my mother, and my father who is a retired surgeon that this is inner workings of exchange of money. 

If you want your license back, you have to pay for it

There's a legal fine, you have to pay for it.

You did everything right and yet, still, you have to pay for it.

Your pride and hope are being damaged, you have to pay for it.

This system is not one of a riotous or state with integrety.