Charged with a DUI? An Experienced Chicago DUI Defense Attorney Provides Important Legal Tips
If you, or a loved one, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in and around Chicago, IL, it is extremely important to secure competent, experienced and skilled legal representation as soon as possible.
Why? Because a drunk driving conviction carries significant consequences that can haunt you for years, or even the rest of your life.
Chicago DUI defense attorney stands ready to help you and your loved ones. He possesses extensive experience helping clients who have been charged with a DUI, resisting arrest, license suspension and DMV issues.
Drunk Driving Offenses You Could Be Charged with in Chicago
Being charged with a DUI in the state of Illinois is a serious legal matter. Even a conviction for a first time DUI can have serious repercussions that include having your driver’s license suspended for up to one year, a hefty $2500 fine, added court fees, and even up to one year spent incarcerated in jail.
It is not a minor legal matter and if you are convicted of a DUI, even as a first offender, it is a certainty that your driving privileges will be suspended or even revoked.
If the DUI charge includes the loss of life, injury or an accident, or a child under age 16 was present in the vehicle at the time of the arrest, you can be facing felony charges, and can even run into difficulty with regard to retaining custody of your children. It is also a felony offense in our state if you are convicted of DUI while driving without a valid license or car insurance.
If you are convicted of a felony offense, you could spend a year or even longer in jail. In case of a fatal injury accident, you could go to state prison for years.
Blood Alcohol Concentration – What Does It Actually Mean?
People may have heard the term “BAC” in an episode of Law & Order, but may not realize what it actually entails. Your Blood Alcohol Concentration is defined as the percentage of alcohol by weight contained in a person’s blood (measured either directly from a blood sample or indirectly from a breath sample).
Blood or Breath Test – The Choice is NOT Yours
In Illinois, you do not have the option of choosing which sobriety test to take. The police have the authority to select the test that will be used to test your BAC. Either the motorist submits to the test that the police have chosen, or suffers the consequences of a “refusal” to submit to a chemical test, which can have serious consequences.
If the lack of personal choice wasn’t bad enough, there are serious penalties associated with refusing to submit to a chemical test (e.g., Breathalyzer test, blood test, or urine sample). If you refuse the test and get convicted, you are likely to suffer a revocation of your driver’s license for at least one year.
What To Do If the Breathalyzer Test Shows a BAC Above 0.08, but You Had Nothing to Drink
You should consult with a skilled Chicago DUI defense attorney and raise this as a possible defense. It is important to understand that Breathalyzer tests are not always reliable and if it can be shown it was not properly calibrated or the officer did not conduct the test properly, such evidence can be challenged and thrown out of court. Your attorney understands how to do this and will explain how such evidence can be false.
What To Do If a Chicago Police Officer Took Your Driver’s License and Said It was Automatically Suspended
Do not fret. You have up to 90 days to request a DUI Hearing to contest the suspension of your license. You attorney can help you do this and appear with you to help you get your license back. When you call the firm for representation you lawyer will do everything possible to get your life back in order while your case is processed.
Potential Consequences Associated with a DWI Arrest and Conviction in Chicago
The penalties for a DUI conviction in Illinois vary depending upon the circumstances of the arrest and conviction, including age of the driver, the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) level, whether children were being transported and whether the driver had previous DUI convictions. If you have been charged with DUI then it is vitally important for you to retain skilled legal assistance as soon as possible.
An attorney from Chicago Criminal Law Firm will be able to provide you with skillful and aggressive representation that will fight for your rights, your goals, and your desires regarding the outcome of your case.
It is also important for you to know that there is no evidence brought in a DUI case that cannot be fought by a skilled representative from our firm. If you have taken chemical tests such as breathalyzer tests or a blood or urine test, this evidence may seem very serious and unchallengeable. This is not true, our firm has extensive experience in fighting DUI evidence in the past and we will be able to fight against any evidence brought in your DUI case.
We have extensive experience in defending cases of DUI, understand all aspects of the DUI laws and have successfully challenged BAC results, field sobriety test results, violations of rights and probable cause for the arrest, as well as breathalyzer results. We are proud of our service to clients in defending them on all types of DUI charges.
Some of the potential penalties for a conviction include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Loss of your driver’s license;
- Large fines;
- Court costs and extensive administrative fees;
- Probation;
- Jail or state prison;
- Vehicle impoundment or forfeiture;
- The placement of an ignition interlock device put on your car.
Different Penalties Based on Your Record
First DUI Offense: If you were convicted of DUI for the first time, you could lose your driving privileges for a minimum of one year. Not only that, but you could be placed behind bars for up to one year and required to pay a fine of $2,500.
Second DUI Offense: If you were convicted of a second DUI in a period of 20 years, you could lose your driving privileges for up to 20 years. You could be placed in prison for up to one year as well as fined up to $2,500. In addition to these penalties, you could also be given up to 240 hours of community service.
Third DUI Offense: Those convicted of a third DUI will be facing felony charges rather than misdemeanor charges. With this felony conviction could come a sentence of up to seven years behind bars as well as a fine of $25,000.
These are just some of the ramifications associated with a DWI arrest and prosecution. As you can see, Illinois takes drunk driving seriously. The laws are strict and the punishments can be quite harsh.
What To Look For in a Chicago DUI Attorney
If you want to dramatically improve your chances of avoiding or reducing the penalties associated with a DWI is to retain the services of an aggressive and savvy DUI lawyer in Chicago. When you look for a lawyer to deal with your DUI/DWI, you should look for the following traits:
- whether the Chicago lawyer or law firm has extensive experience in representing clients in DUI/DWI cases;
- whether the lawyer or law firm has extensive, actual experience going to court to advocate on behalf of their clients facing DUI/DWI charges.
Picking the right lawyer for your Chicago DUI or DWI case can make an enormous difference in the consequences of the charge or getting the charges dismissed.
How to Defend Against a DUI Charge
There are numerous potential defenses that can be used to successfully overcome DUI offenses or get the charges reduced. It will be found at times that the police actually had no legal cause to pull you over in the first place. Illegal search or seizure can result in evidence against you being thrown out at your trial. Tests that are administered to determine BAC level, or to show that your ability to drive was somehow impaired, can be flawed. These tests can be improperly administered or faulty equipment may have been used.
Take Action Now by Contacting an Experienced Chicago DUI / DWI Attorney
It is vital that you act immediately if you are arrested and charged with any DUI offense. The first step you should take is contacting Chicago DUI defense lawyer. He is committed to fighting aggressively for you in court, and addressing the necessary paperwork and filing that are required if you hope to retain your license after the 46 days allowed have passed. Fast and intelligent legal intervention often leads to a case dismissal or a reduced charge.
Defense lawyer is ready and able to help you, or a loved one, in your time of need. Do not fight these charges alone. You deserve a competent and skilled legal advocate. The stakes are too high to try and represent yourself.