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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
- Joseph Lucas:
If you have had too much to drink and do not want to drive your car, do
not sleep off the effects of the alcohol in your car. The Illinois
Supreme Court has found that a man who was sleeping in his car with the
car running and a blood-alcohol level of 0.18 was guilty of driving
under the influence. At trial, the defendant was sentenced to one year
of court supervision and a $250 fine.
- Batvia
- Giampoli, Frank:
When you are accused of a crime, you need to take immediate action to defend yourself. Even before you are charged, law enforcement officials are building a case against you.
- Covey Law Office: The following are just a few of the available defenses in DUI cases.
- Driving. The prosecution must prove you were driving;
- Probable cause. Evidence must be suppressed if the officer did not have legal cause to (1) stop, (2) detain, and (3) arrest;
- Miranda;
- Implied consent warnings;
- "Under the influence";
- Blood-alcohol concentration;
- Testing during the absorptive phase;
- Retrograde extrapolation;
- Regulation of blood-alcohol testing; and
- License suspension hearings.
- 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.
- Bloomington
- Cambridge
- Carbondale
- 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.
- Chicago
- Crystal Lake
- Rolls
& Kililis: You have the right to plead not guilty and demand that
the State prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. You are entitled
to a trial by jury or a bench trial before a judge. You may also
attempt to work out a resolution of your case with the prosecutor and
enter a negotiated plea. The judge must approve the sentence. You may
also enter a blind plea, with no recommendation from the prosecutor,
and have the judge impose a sentence.
- James Bishop:
A class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500, plus court
costs, and a term of incarceration in the County Jail for up to 365
days. Conviction will result in your driving privileges be REVOKED for
not less than one year and usually for 3-5 years. When a driver’s
license is revoked, a driver is not eligible for a restricted,
probationary or hardship or any other form of license. After multiple
DUI convictions, a subsequent charge of DUI can be upgraded to a
felony, aggravated driving under the influence.
- Decatur
- Burger,
Fombelle & Zachry: ... exploiting the weaknesses of field sobriety
tests and an understanding of the limitations of breath and blood
analysis.
- Paul Chiligris:
After you get a DUI, you will need to do a number of things. First of
all, you will need to obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation. This is an
evaluation performed by an evaluator licensed by the Illinois
Department of Alcohol and Safety. The purpose of the evaluation is to
determine what level of risk you are in driving under the influence of
alcohol again and perhaps hurting someone, and what type of treatment
and/or education you will need. You need to obtain the evaluation
before being allowed to receive a Judicial Driving Permit. You are only
allowed a Judicial Driving Permit if you are a first time offender.
- 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
- Lucco, Brown, Threlkeld & Dawson:
Being charged with a federal or state felony means that you need to find the most experienced, effective criminal defense team possible, as quickly as possible. Starting your defense right away often makes a significant difference in the final outcome of your charges. More importantly, hiring the right lawyer to defend you can often mean a substantial difference in the outcome of your case.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Jerald Novak:
If you have been arrested for a DUI, your Illinois driver's license
will be suspended after forty five days if you fail to contact the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within ten days of your arrest and
request a hearing.
- 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.
- Joliet
- Kankakee
- Lake in the Hills
- Libertyville
- Lombard
- Marion
- 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.
- Matteson
- Wigell & Associates:
A conviction on DUI/OWI charges will result in fines, driver's license
suspension or revocation, and possibly land you in jail. In addition,
your insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable
level. In defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many
rights as a criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine
the witnesses against you, even if they are police officers. An
experienced attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult
case.
- 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
- Paul Chatzky:
Many state laws require criminal defendants to pay restitution to their
victims and/or to the state for harm directly caused by the defendant's
crimes. Such laws are generally enacted to provide compensation for a
broad array of costs resulting from crimes such as fraud, personal
injury, death or property damage. When determining costs, courts often
consider victim expenses resulting from, among others, the inability to
be gainfully employed; physical and/or psychological rehabilitation;
and burial expenses. Sometimes, where feasible, defendants may be
ordered to return property.
- 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
- 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 Brook
- Oakbrook Terrace
- Palantine, Park Ridge, Peoria
- 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
- South Holland
- Springfield
- St. Charles
- Sugar Grove
- Sycamore
- Unknown
- Johnson Law Group:
One of the most important privileges to hold is the privilege to drive.
We drive to work, to church, to school and to the park. It is an
important part of our freedom. Sometimes, however, accidents, mistakes
and bad decisions can lead to that freedom being taken away. Losing
your driving privileges and going to jail can be the results of driving
offenses.
Some minor driving offenses do not require you to hire an attorney.
Many, however, are serious. Driving while revoked or suspended could
lead to losing driving privileges for years, and even jail time. This
could affect your work and family life. DUI / DWI arrests are of
course, very serious, and prosecutors are treating the crime more
harshly all the time. At the same time, legislatures are lowering the
legal drinking and driving limits, and passing stiffer sentencing laws.
If you refuse to be tested for blood alcohol concentration, you could
be charged with an additional crime. Hit and run accidents can result
in a lost license and jail time. Vehicular manslaughter could lead to a
long prison term.
All of these charges are a severe threat to your freedom - both your
freedom to drive and your personal freedom from jail
- 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 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
- Marc Wolfe:
Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly
when a driver is accused of driving under the influence. A conviction
on DUI charges may result in fines, the revocation or suspension of
your driver’s license, and possible jail time. In addition, your
insurance company may increase your rates to an unmanageable level. In
defending against an impaired driving charge, you have many rights as a
criminal defendant, including the right to cross-examine the witnesses
against you, even if they are police officers.
- Woodstock
- Ray Flavin:
If you blow between 0.0 and 0.05 you are presumed innocent. (Aren't you presumed innocent anyway?)
If you blow between 0.6 and 0.079 there is no presumption. (But aren't you presumed innocent, at a trial under our Constitution?)
If you blow above 0.08 and above, you are presumed to be under the influence of alcohol. (Another nagging question, shouldn't the state have to prove you were under the influence, as that should be an element of the crime of DUI?)
- Caroline S. Zoes:
In my mind, there is no other criminal act that has caused so many
state legislatures to pass so many laws whittling away at a driver's
rights than the offense of driving while intoxicated. If you are
convicted one of this offense in Indiana, in addition to any criminal
penalties assessed, the Court SHALL recommend suspension of your
driving privileges for at least 90 days and up to two (2) years
Brought to you by Colorado DUI Drunk Driving Defense
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