Driver's License Issues: Expired Drivers Licence and Expired Car Registration

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Illinois

Hello,

Looking for advice.

I am a US Citizen.

I am 30+ years old.

I have lived in the state my entire life and have a driver licence since I was 16 years old.

I haven't had any criminal issues at all.

Never arrested or detained.

The only traffic related issues besides the one I am about to list was a couple speeding tickets 10+ years ago, an accident 10+ years ago with no one hurt.

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I had a traffic stop last month.

The stop was in Cook County if that matters. Not in the City of Chicago, just one of the suburbs.

I was driving a car NOT in my name. (So my name is not on a title or in this case the financing at all)

I was covered at the time under the issuance of this car as a secondary driver.

My name was NOT on the registration of the car if that make a difference or not.


The car registration was expired by about 40 days.

I was told I was stopped because of that reason.

After that I gave the officer my Driver Licence, Insurance, and registration card.

It turns out according to the officer that my license has been expired for about 1.5 years.

I was not aware of this and showed them an up to date State ID as a sign of good faith.



Nice officers moved the car out of the way of traffic and didn't tow it. (Nice of them)

But I was arrested due to what the officers said was Expired Licence and driving a car that had an expired registration.



I found out afterwards I had a ticket that was not paid from 5 years ago for "Improper lane Usage" in a different county.

Since all of this I have paid my ticket and about to go and get my Driver Licence renewed ASAP. (Before my Court Date)


I was give a $1500 I-Bond and (2) tickets. 1 ticket for the expired registration of the car. And 1 ticket for have an expired Drivers licences.



My first question is did they have a right to arrest me? Or could they ticket me, and let me find my own way home. (Friend, taxi, ect)

When I go to court what should I expect of fines if they are course not thrown out?




Since all of this I have bought a different car in my name and my wife's as a co-singer.

I have insurance that is valid in my name. (My wife as a second driver as well)

New Valid registration for this new car when I bought it.


Once I have my Drivers Licences in my hand, I will take it with all of the new car documents with me to court.


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I am no longer in possession of the original car I was stopped in.

My name is not on the insurance.

The owner of the car let the finance company repo it.

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So with all this information what advice does anyone have?

When I go to court should I plea guilty?

(Registration was expired and even though I didn't know it at the time my drivers licence was expired because of non-payment of a ticket)


And since I have never been arrested before this happened I really would like to know if they had the right to arrest me?


I know its a lot of information but I assume the more information I give the better advice I could receive.


Thanks!

John

Driver's License Issues: Expired Drivers Licence and Expired Car Registration