Sec. 11-203. Obedience to police officers. No person shall wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer, fireman, person authorized by a local authority to direct traffic, or school crossing guard invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic. Any person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $150.
Illinois Compiled Statute
625 ILCS 5/11-203
Offense Description
Disobeying police officer, fireman or school crossing guard
Offense Classification
Class A Misdemeanor
Statutory Penalties & Sentencing Scope
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Supreme Court Rule 551 Mandatory Court Appearance
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State Driver's License Action
SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-203 (Disobeying police officer, fireman or school crossing guard) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor. Statutory sentencing scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500. Court appearance is mandatory under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, and pretrial release is presumptively release-eligible under the SAFE-T Act.
Offense Class & Sentencing ScopeClass A Misdemeanor
Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Court Appearance MandateRule 551 Mandatory Court
Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
Secretary of State License SanctionSOS Administrative Action
Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).
Sec. 11-203. Obedience to police officers. No person shall wilfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer, fireman, person authorized by a local authority to direct traffic, or school crossing guard invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic. Any person convicted of violating this Section is guilty of a petty offense and shall be subject to a mandatory fine of $150.
(Source: P.A. 98-396, eff. 1-1-14.)
Frequently Asked Questions & Legal Analysis
Authoritative Statutory Guidance
What is the statutory penalty and sentencing range for 625 ILCS 5/11-203 in Illinois?
Under Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/11-203 (Disobeying police officer, fireman or school crossing guard) is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Sentencing Scope: Up to 364 days county jail · Fine up to $2,500
Is a court appearance mandatory for 625 ILCS 5/11-203 under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551?
Mandatory Personal Appearance Required: Under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 551, personal court appearance before a judge is mandatory. The defendant cannot satisfy this charge by mail, electronic payment, or pre-set bail forfeiture.
Is an individual accused of 625 ILCS 5/11-203 detainable before trial under the SAFE-T Act?
Presumptive Pretrial Release: Presumptive Pretrial Release: This offense is non-detainable under 725 ILCS 5/110-6.1. The defendant is entitled to release on personal recognizance with non-monetary conditions unless charged with a subsequent detainable violation.
What Secretary of State driver's license sanctions apply to 625 ILCS 5/11-203?
SOS Administrative Action: Moving Violation (Point Assessment & Suspension Counter) · Conviction counts toward Illinois SOS license suspension threshold (3 convictions in 12 months for age 21+; 2 convictions in 24 months for under 21).
Official Legal Citation Formats
Legal & Academic Reference
Standardized legal citations for briefs, court pleadings, law enforcement documentation, and academic research.
Illinois Supreme Court Citation625 ILCS 5/11-203 (West 2026)
The Bluebook Style (21st ed.)625 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/11-203 (2026)
Canonical Web Referencehttps://ilcsindex.com/statutes/625-ilcs-5-11-203