Today, we're looking at a traffic stop from St. Charles, Illinois involving an 18-year-old driver accused of traveling 70 mph in a 35 mph zone. At first glance, this may sound like just another speeding ticket. But under Illinois law, driving more than 35 mph over the posted speed limit isn't simply a traffic infraction. It can become a criminal misdemeanor. So, in this video, we're going to break down three things: what happened, why the officers made the decisions they did, and what this case teaches about speeding laws in the United States. >> What was that all about? >> Sorry, I was just trying to get past >> You're driving on the opposite side of the double yellow to pass them on to basically drove through oncoming lanes of traffic in order to pass them. >> I wasn't. >> Oh, you didn't? >> No. >> Okay. Do you know how fast you were going? >> 60. >> What's that? >> I was going like 60. >> 70? Do you know what the speed limit is? You seem to be very aloof as to anything that's going on right now. Can I get your license? You got insurance? >> Um >> Still what? >> Yeah. Sorry, I don't have like a physical card, but I have >> That's fine if it's on your phone. I just need to see it. You texting somebody for it? >> Yeah. >> All right, put your hand out the window if you end up getting it, okay? And don't take your hand back in till I come back. >> One question people often ask is, can police stop someone simply for speeding? The answer is yes. According to the report, the officer estimated the Subaru was traveling 70 mph in a 35 zone. That's double the speed limit. At those speeds, officers generally consider not only the violation itself, but also the increased risk to pedestrians, cross traffic, and other drivers. From the officer's perspective, this wasn't just fast driving, it was a potential public safety issue. >> All right, when I tell you to get out, you just step out, okay? Step out of the car. Go and stand over there. All right, just so just so you know, okay? So, speeding 35 over the speed limit is a class A misdemeanor. Okay, so you're going to be under arrest. I'm going to take you to the station. I'm going to give you a court date. I'm going to give you a court date, and that's it, and you're going to be released, okay? >> Wait, I have >> All right. Go and turn around for me. You got any questions you can ask him, all right? It's not the end of the world. >> You rolled up on >> Yeah, I will I will park the car for you. I'm not going to tow it. Okay? You got anything on you, any weapon? Anything that could poke me, box cutters, anything like that? I know you're coming from school, it looks like, maybe. >> Um >> Judging by the score gun in your center I know you're coming from school, it looks like, maybe. >> Um >> Judging by the score gun in your center console. >> Um in my car. >> Okay. You're 18, so >> Um >> Nothing on you, right? >> No, nothing on me. >> This is where many viewers become confused. Why arrest someone for speeding? The key difference is the amount of speed involved. In Illinois, exceeding the speed limit by more than 35 mph can be charged as a misdemeanor offense, rather than a simple citation. That means officers may have legal authority to make a custodial arrest instead of simply issuing a ticket. Whether an arrest occurs depends on state law and the circumstances of the stops. >> Okay. Okay. I assume you want your phone? >> Um yes. >> Okay. >> Um >> Okay. >> All right. >> All right. >> I'm going to have to >> Well, I'm going to I'm going to park your car, okay? You're going to go with this officer right here. Okay, get this. I'm going to go around to the back door. I'll be right behind you. I'm just going to park the car for case. >> One important thing to notice is Amanda's behavior after the stop. According to the information available, she complied with the officers and did not physically resist. That's worth pointing out because cooperation often reduces the risk of additional charges or the situation becoming more dangerous. However, the driving decision itself created the legal consequences. Traveling at approximately twice the posted speed limit dramatically reduces reaction time and increases stopping distance, which is why many states impose much stricter penalties for excessive speeding. >> Amanda was charged under Illinois statute 625 ILCS 5-11-601.5B for driving more than 35 mph over the speed limit. She also received a citation for improper lane usage. It's important to remember that a criminal charge is not the same as a conviction. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Cases like this are ultimately resolved through the judicial process.