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Illinois Secretary of State
"Driving Under the Influence" is defined as operating a motor vehicle
while impaired by alcohol, other drugs or intoxicating compounds. In
Illinois, a driver is legally considered to be under the influence if
he/she has a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent or greater, has
used any illegal substance, or is impaired by medication. A driver's
BAC is based on the ratio of alcohol to blood or breath. However, an
individual showing alcohol levels between .05 and .08 percent may be
convicted of DUI if additional evidence determines that the driver was
impaired.
Attorney Offices by Municipality
- Addison
- Altamont
- Taylor Law Office:
During the past few decades, a crusade throughout Illinois and the
nation has developed to take the necessary steps to enact laws to deal
with the problem of drunk driving. While almost every state has
toughened its laws on drinking and driving, Illinois has taken a
leading role in enacting these tougher laws. For many years, Taylor Law
Offices, has defended clients facing Driving Under the Influence or
Driving While Intoxicated charges. A person charged with DUI is
well-advised to retain the services of an attorney to represent him
during the hearing process and possible requests for a judicial driving
permit. The consequences of a DUI conviction are harsh, ranging from
losing driving privileges, to stiff fines, to a potential prison
sentence. Automobile companies have access, under law, to the driving
records of Illinois motorists, and when they learn of DUI convictions
or license suspensions, insurance cancellation is possible, with new
coverage able to be obtained only at a sharply increased price.
- Alton
- Antioch
- Robert Edens:
If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is
imperative to act quickly to protect your rights! Severe penalties
apply even on your first offense, and you can lose your driving
privileges if you act too late.
- Arlington Heights
- Aurora
- Barrington
- Batvia
- Belleville
- Benton
- Ellen Curry:
When you lose your case in the trial court, you can appeal to the court
of review, usually the appellate court. If you plan to appeal your
case, the first and most critical step is to file the notice of appeal.
Your attorney must file your notice of appeal within thirty days after
the trial court enters a final judgment. If the notice of appeal is not
filed within 30 days, the court of review cannot consider your case.
- Berwyn
- Lanzillotti, Gribben & Marchuk:
Civil Rights
Criminal
Estates
Personal Injury
Real Estate
Traffic
Workers Compensation
- Bloomington
- Buffalo Grove
- Bell, Ronald:
What the Breathalyzer Cannot Do
The breathalyzer is not designed to exclude all substances except alcohol. Which means that any substance detected by the machine is deemed to be alcohol even though it is not alcohol.
- Cambridge
- Telleen, Horberg, Smith & Carmen: If the government is trying to convict you of a crime, you need an experienced attorney to protect your rights.
- Carbondale
- Carlyle
- Lambert, Brian:
It's been about 2 weeks since the start of the new year, but Illinois residents should be aware of new changes in the DUI laws. These changes increase the time that your license can be suspended and abolish judicial driving permits. However, they do provide for a breathalyzer-type device that will allow vehicle use after 31 days of suspension for first time offenders.
- Cary
- Champaign
- Thomas A. Bruno and Associates:
Illinois law provides that it is a "Class A" misdemeanor to drive with
0.08% BAC or greater, regardless of whether your ability to drive is
impaired. This was changed from the previous 0.10% effective July 3,
1997, as Illinois became the 14th state to lower its level from 0.10%
to 0.08%. It is also illegal to drive when your ability to do so is
impaired by alcohol and/or drugs, regardless of your BAC.
- Charleston
- Richey, Jeremy:
What should I look for when seeking a criminal-law lawyer?
You should look for an attorney with the following characteristics:
* You want an attorney who is experienced in criminal law.
* You want an attorney who works hard on his cases and is prepared when he goes to court.
* You want an attorney who is not afraid to go to trial to defend your liberty and rights.
I am an attorney who has these characteristics.
What typically happens at a defendant's first court appearance?
If the person can't afford an attorney, he will receive the public defender and a further court date. If the public defender is present in court when the court appoints him or her, then the person will also enter a not-guilty plea.
If the person has an attorney, he will enter a not-guilty plea and receive a further court date.
If I am ever arrested or investigated, should I talk to the police?
No! What you say will be used against you. Tell the police that you want a lawyer and that you want the lawyer present before answering any questions.
I was recently charged with a crime. Will I be going to jail?
An attorney will not be able to advise you as to your likely sentence until after he conducts a careful analysis of your case.
- Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
- Collinsville
- Starnes, William:
If you have been charged with a crime, you want an experienced lawyer to protect your constitutional rights. The criminal justice system and criminal procedure can be confusing and intimidating. You want an experienced attorney with a firm understanding of criminal law and procedure, one who will help you understand your options and who will provide you with a realistic assessment of your case.
When you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence(DUI), you want an experienced lawyer to help you. In addition to the criminal prosecution, you will have to participate in administrative hearings regarding the suspension of your license. The different processes can be confusing, making it difficult to know if your rights are being fully protected. An experienced lawyer will help you understand your options, and will provide you with a realistic assessment of the outcome of your case.
- Crystal Lake
- Danville
- Decatur
- Des Plaines
- DuPage
- Armamentos, Klis & Steed:
Can I drive after my arrest?
Typically, you can drive for 45 days following your arrest. A license suspension follows in many cases. The length of a suspension, and whether or when an affected motorist may be eligible for a permit, varies, according to each case and the person's driving record. You have 90 days from your arrest to file a petition to challenge your suspension.
Do I need a lawyer?
A conviction for a DUI results in an automatic revocation of your driver's license and, in some cases, the prosecutor will be seeking a conviction
- Brent Christiansen:
There is no such thing as a Òhopeless case.Ó What you need is a skilled drunk driving attorney who will guide you through the process of challenging your DUI; someone whose knowledge and experience is surpassed only by a true devotion to defend your liberty.
- East Alton
- Delaney Law Office:
I strongly recommend that everyone charged with this offense obtain
competent legal counsel. There are actually only a few attorney's in
our area who have even tried a DUI before a jury, and since I'm among
that group, I have to tell you that it is a different sort of trial
than a Felony, as the Jury, generally, is more harsh to the Drunk
Driver, than they are to the common thief.
- East Moline
- Richard
Zimmer: DUI - If you are facing drunk driving charges, you need an
experienced criminal defense lawyer making sure your constitutional
rights are protected.
- Edwardsville
- Effingham
- Sutterfield
Law Office: No area of the law has been subjected to more public
scrutiny than Driving Under the Influence ("DUI") laws. Special
interest groups have publicly lobbied about the dangers of drunk
driving and politicians have responded by implementing harsh penalties
for DUI offenders. The DUI offender also faces high insurance costs (if
insurance is available). Therefore, a strong, aggressive defense is a
necessity.
- Elgin
- Elmhurst
- Michael Fleming:
The Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that a
person has the right to the assistance of counsel when he or she is
accused of a criminal offense. This right applies to the states under
the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
Most states have also enacted provisions in their constitutions that
provide a person with the right to the assistance of counsel.
- Evanston
- Fairview Heights
- Fox Lake
- Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Phillips & Morozin:
Most people come to a lawyer for the same reason they go to a doctor:
something hurts, or something isn't working right. By their very
nature, most legal problems involve financial and emotional issues that
can dramatically affect people's lives. Being involved in the legal
system can be a stressful, frustrating, and intimidating experience for
most non-lawyers. Whatever your legal difficulty, you should have an
experienced and skillful attorney to represent you.
- Geneva
- Glen Ellen
- Kallas, George:
* What are the charges?
* What are the consequences for pleading guilty or not guilty?
* What are the sentencing alternatives?
* Will you lose your license?
- Brucar & Yetter:
A drunk driving charge is a serious criminal charge. Most of us rely on
the ability to drive to do many everyday things, such as getting to
work, buying groceries, and transporting family members to activities
like lessons, medical appointments, and school. A person who is charged
with drunk driving stands an excellent chance of losing his or her
driving privileges either temporarily or permanently, and also runs the
risk of suffering more severe consequences, such as a fine or a jail
sentence. If you have been accused of a drunk driving offense, contact
an experienced drunk driving defense attorney without delay. You can't
afford not to have expert counsel on your side.
- Glenville
- David
Spada: If you are arrested and found to have a blood alcohol level of
.08 percent or more in your body while operating a motor vehicle, your
driving privileges will be suspended for at least three months. Repeat
offenses carry more serious consequences.
- Grayslake
- Harrisburg
- Michael Oshel:
You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
- Homewood
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- Hinich, Daniel:
Misdemeanors are more serious than petty offenses, but much less serious than felonies. Misdemeanors typically result in imposition of such punishments as a fine or a jail sentence not exceeding a year. If a jail sentence is imposed, it is served at a local, city or county jail rather than a state or federal prison (penitentiary). In many jurisdictions and in certain types of cases defendants who can't afford an attorney are not entitled to a court-appointed attorney in a misdemeanor case. Unlike felonies, misdemeanors are usually handled by special courts with abbreviated procedures, such as a city court or municipal court.
- Itaska
- Mencini, Ana:
* Theft: retail theft, shoplifting, car theft, robbery, or burglary
* Assault: assault and battery, weapons offenses, or aggravated assault
* Drug charges: drug possession, drug sale, or possession with intent
* DUI/DWI: first or second offense drunk driving or felony DUI
* Domestic violence: domestic assault or spousal abuse
* Juvenile offenses: shoplifting, assault, or other juvenile delinquency
* Traffic tickets: speeding or driving without insurance
- Joliet
- Kankakee
- Lake in the Hills
- Libertyville
- Lincoln
- Muck & Muck:
An aggressive defense against criminal charges can make all the difference.
- Litchfield
- Hantla & Hantla: Criminal Law
- Lombard
- Marengo
- Franks, Gerkin & McKenna:
If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in Illinois, just sorting out the penalties you may be facing for conviction can be a daunting experience. DUI laws have been evolving for years, and nearly every change has strengthened penalties or introduced new factors to aid in prosecution.
One thing is certain: The risk of facing a DUI charge Ñ even a first offense with no aggravating factors Ñ without an experienced defense lawyer is a major risk today.
- Marion
- Matteson
- McHenry
- Scott Bentley:
DUI is a serious crime. Illinois has some of the toughest DUI laws.
Upon an arrest for DUI the State will seek a suspension of your driving
privileges. There are ways to avoid suspension upon an arrest for DUI.
- Mokena
- Jeffrey
Segall: The police are skilled in getting defendants to talk. Do not
seek justice by yourself. Do not face the possibility of a suspended
license and jail time alone. Protect your rights with a defense lawyer
that knows criminal and traffic law. Let an attorney with knowledge of
the local court system work for you.
- Moline
- Steve Hanna:
DUI Ð Hundreds of DUI cases have resulted in dismissals, favorable verdicts, suppression of test results, and minimum sentences.
- Morton
- Mt. Prospect
- Murphysboro
- Naperville
- Northbrook
- Northfield
- Northlake
- John
Gallagher: Charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can lead to
real problems with your driving privileges, as well as criminal
penalties.
- Orland Hills
- Elias Latouf:
Drunk driving defense is a highly specialized legal practice that
requires extensive experience and a comprehensive knowledge of DUI /
DWI laws.
- Orland Park
- Ottawa
- Armstrong & Surin:
* Adoption
* Bankruptcy
* Criminal Law
* Custody & Visitation
* Divorce
* DUI/DWI
* Medical Malpractice
* Motor Vehicle Accidents
* Personal Injury - Plaintiffs
* Real Estate Law
* Traffic Violations
- Overland Park
- Sam Haddad:
If you have been pulled over for suspicion of drinking and driving, do not give the prosecution the benefit of a failed sobriety case. Politely refuse to perform field sobriety tests. Do not admit to drinking. Always be polite but do not be fooled into thinking you will be helping yourself by confessing.
- Oak Lawn
- Forst Law Office:
* DUI
* Theft/shoplifting/retail theft
* Driving while suspended
* Driving without insurance
* Speeding and other traffic violations
* Domestic violence/domestic battery (OFP hearings as well)
* Other traffic and misdemeanor offenses
- Olympia Fields
- Dixon, Ronald:
Driving Under the Influence (DUI): If you or your son or daughter has been charged with a first-time DUI, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. There are time limitations to contesting the administrative license revocation and possible defenses to the police stop. A charge of DUI does not mean you are guilty.
- Oak Brook
- Oakbrook Terrace
- Palantine, Park Ridge, Peoria
- Rock Falls
- Rockford, Rolling Hills, Round Lake Beach, Schaumberg, Skokie
- Roselle
- Greg Martucci:
Traffic Defense & DUI
The motor vehicle traffic laws are vast and varied. Whether you are charged with speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI), or disobeying other traffic laws or ordinances, the consequences to your driving privileges can be severe.
- St. Charles
- Bochte & Kuzniar:
Most people stopped and arrested for driving under the influence of
alcohol are dealing with the criminal justice system for the first
time. When you have been charged with drinking and driving, you need a
DUI defense attorney with the skill and experience to clearly explain
your rights, the legal consequences of a conviction, the knowledge to
challenge the legality of the initial stop and any chemical tests that
are performed.
- Schaumburgh
- Skokie
- South Holland
- Stroud, Kevin: everyone deserves an excellent defense
- Springfield
- St. Charles
- Sugar Grove
- Sycamore
- Unknown
- Washington
- Essig Law Office:
* Real estate
* Family law
* Criminal law
* DUI
* Estate planning
* Personal injury
* Workers' compensation
* Bankruptcy
- Waukegan
- West Chicago
- Westchester
- Flores, Jose:
An Illinois DUI arrest is a very serious matter. You need an experienced
Illinois DUI attorney. You need someone who is familiar with the criminal
law for your case in chief, but also the civil law regarding the suspension or
revocation of your license.
An Illinois charge of DUI for a first offender is usually charged as a Class A
Misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2500.
If you have prior convictions for DUI or if certain other situations occur,
your case may be charged as a felony.
A DUI conviction will trigger the revocation of your license by the Secretary
of State. If your license is revoked because of an Illinois DUI conviction,
your license can only be reinstated at a hearing in front of administrative
officers from the Secretary of StateÕs office.
The Secretary of State will act to suspend your driverÕs license 46 days after
your arrest for DUI, if you either blew over .08 in a breathalyzer exam, or
refused a breathalyzer test. This suspension can be for as little as three
months or as long as three years.
- West Frankfort
- Green, Terry:
* Adoption
* Child Support
* Contracts
* Criminal Law
* Criminal Law - Federal (White Collar Crimes)
* DUI/DWI
* Estate Planning
* Probate $& Estate Administration
* State, Local & Municipal Law
* Traffic Violations
* Trusts
* Wills
- West Peoria
- Lowe
& Groezinger: DUI is a serious charge that can have serious
consequences. A conviction can damage your reputation, threaten your
career, and revoke your independence behind the wheel. The financial
consequences can also place a great deal of strain on most households.
With an experienced attorney by your side, however, you will gain peace
of mind and survive the court system.
- Wheaten
- Wood Dale
- John Ellsworth: Any of the following can severely impact the results of tests conducted during a typical DUI arrest. For instance:
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Breathalizer Machines often give false readings. |
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Police car lights can create nausea and disorientation. |
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Medications can cause side effects that resemble intoxication. |
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The pitch of the road can impair your balance. |
- Woodridge
- Woodstock
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