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Chicago DUI Lawyers

  • Leeders & Associates: Can the state prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt? The State must prove that you were the driver operating the vehicle or in actual physical possession of the vehicle.
  • The State must prove that you were legally intoxicated while the driver or in actual physical possession of the vehicle. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08 percent or greater, or if you are using any other intoxicating drugs then you are said to be legally intoxicated. Breathalyzers, blood tests, field sobriety tests can all be challenged for accuracy. However, the refusal to take any breathalyzer,
    blood test or field sobriety test may result in automatic suspension of your license. The State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were the driver or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle, in Illinois, while you were legally intoxicated. If there is a reasonable doubt on these issues then you must be found not guilty.
  • Michael J. Petro: Significant areas of legal expertise ´ Federal Charges Internet Offenses, Drug Cases, Conspiracy, RICO, Health Care Fraud, Bank Fraud, Bank Robbery, Mail/Wire Fraud, Tax Offenses, Theft, Embezzlement, Money Laundering, All White Collar Crimes. ´ State Charges Murder, Reckless Homicide, Drug Offenses, Robbery, Assault and Battery, Sex Charges, Drug Possession, Gun Possession, Theft, Forgery, Domestic Violence, Misdemeanors, DUI/DWI, Solicitation, Prostitution. ´ Appeals Appeals and Post Conviction Cases in all U.S. Federal and Illinois State Courts. ´ Investigations
  • Ralph Meczyk: When you are being accused of a crime you need a criminal defense lawyer who is driven by the desire to protect and defend people.
  • Michael O'Mera: Illinois law makes it a crime for a driver to operate a vehicle while impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs. If your blood alcohol is above .08 then you are driving under the influence of alcohol. If you are under 21 and are driving with any alcohol in your system, it is possible for you to be charged with an Illinois DUI. Additionally, a failure to take breathalyzer test can result in suspension of your driving privileges through the Secretary of State's office. Penalties for being convicted of driving under the influence in Illinois include fines, alcohol classes, community service, forfeiture of your vehicle and possibly prison. A sentence is based upon your prior record, whether there were injuries to others, level of intoxication and other factors.
  • Leeders & Associates: When you have been arrested for DUI / Drunk Driving in Illinois, you need to be able to depend on your DUI Defense attorney. Being charged with DUI in Illinois subjects you to stiff fines and penalties, including license suspension and even jail. It is imperative that you seek the immediate help of a knowledgeable and experienced Chicago DUI lawyer to help avoid these stiff fines and penalties.
  • Laurence Bolon: In the last twenty years, the penalties for drunk driving have become far more severe than they were in the past. First-time offenders face potential jail time and fines, although often the penalty for a first-time offense will be something less than jail time in exchange for a guilty plea. Repeat offenders are usually treated more harshly, with substantial fines and mandatory jail sentences that may not be suspended or waived by the court. State administrative regulations often call for suspension or revocation of a defendant's driver's license in addition to any criminal penalty. Defendants have sometimes tried to make the argument that this administrative suspension is double jeopardy prohibited by the U.S. Constitution, but these arguments have never succeeded.
  • Matthew McQuaid: IF YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME, YOU NEED A LAWYER TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS! Hiring a competent attorney will give you the best outcome of your case.
  • Christian Collin: If you have been charged with driving under the influence, you need competent legal counsel on your side.
  • Benjamin Harrison: Parole and probation are both supervisory-type mechanisms employed in the punishment phase of the criminal justice process. Parole comes into play after a person has been imprisoned and is released. Probation, by contrast, refers to a criminal sentence separate and distinct from incarceration. Probation is the most frequent sentence imposed and typically involves releasing the convicted offender into the community subject to a list of terms and conditions. The actual terms can vary widely, based on the underlying crime, the characteristics of the offender, and the resources of the probation system. All probations are subject to a requirement that the offender refrain from committing further crimes.
  • David Daudell: If you have been charged with a crime, it is important to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
  • Frank Tedesso: Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure (FRCP) 11, prosecutors may promise to move to dismiss other charges or recommend that the court authorize a specific sentence or sentencing range in order to encourage a criminal defendant to plead guilty to a certain charge. In addition, Rule 11 requires courts to advise a defendant considering entering into a plea agreement that the defendant has no right to withdraw the plea if the court does not follow the prosecutor's request or recommendation. In fact, failure to warn a defendant that there is no right to withdraw a plea if the court rejects the prosecutor's request or recommendation may entitle a defendant who is subsequently convicted to obtain relief based on a Rule 11 failing.
  • Todd Urban: Almost all states increase a charge for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) from a misdemeanor to a felony when a driver has had a certain number of prior DUI convictions. Accordingly, prosecutors in DUI cases will often search for prior DUI convictions to enhance a new charge. However, the admissibility of a prior conviction in court can depend on when and where the prior conviction occurred.
  • Scott Levy: The U.S. Constitution grants an accused the right to "a speedy and public trial, before an impartial jury" in "all criminal prosecutions." The alternative to a jury trial is a "bench" trial; i.e., a trial by a judge. In a jury trial, the jury determines facts and applies legal principles to reach a verdict. In a bench trial, however, the judge decides virtually everything.
  • Richardson, Stasko, Boyd & Mack: Driving Under the Influence "DUI" is defined as operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof. In Illinois, the driver of a motor vehicle is legally considered to be under the influence if (1) the alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath is .08 or more, (2) under the influence of alcohol, (3) under the influence of any intoxicating compound or drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of driving safely, (4) under the combined influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds that renders the person incapable of driving safely, and (5) there is any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in the person's breath, blood, or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis listed in the Cannabis Control Act, a controlled substance listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or an intoxicating compound listed in the Use of Intoxicating Compounds Act.
  • Steve Greenberg: Despitestate legislation thatallows marijuana use for medical purposes,the federal government has not yet enacted legislation in confirming the legality of such laws. Under federal law, penalties for possession of marijuana can be up to three years in jail and a $5,000 fine.However, at least one federal court has ruled otherwise, indicatingan exception to marijuana use for medicinal purposes.
  • Richard Kling: In a criminal case, a government agency seeks to punish you or entities for behavior that the state or country has declared unlawful. Prosecutors decide whether to file charges against a defendant Convictions may result in fine, jail, or both The burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt" Usually the government will pay for your attorney if you can't afford one Criminal defendants are almost always entitled to a jury trial


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