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1. Heinrich Law Office: COMMON DUI QUESTIONS Q: I've been told by the police that because I blew over .08 or because I refused to take the breath test, my driver's license will be suspended. I must drive to work. Am I eligible for a driving permit? A: Your license suspension will not take effect until the 46th day after your arrest. If you are a first offender, employed, and need to drive to and from work and/or even within the scope of work, you are eligible for a Judicial Driving Permit (J.D.P.). If your suspension is for 3 months, the Court has the authority to grant a J.D.P for the last 2 months of the suspension. If your suspension is for 6 months, the Court can grant a J.D.P for the last 5 months of the suspension. The 1st month of the suspension: i.e. the 46th day through 76th day after the arrest, is a hard suspension -- the Courts do not have the authority to grant a J.D.P. All applicants for a Judicial Driving Permit must agree to install a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in any vehicle they intend to drive during the suspension period. Since that is quite expensive it pays to contest the Summary Suspension. Top If you are not a first offender, you are not eligible for a Judicial Driving Permit and you must apply for a formal hearing with an administrative hearing officer of the Secretary of State for driving relief; i.e., a "hardship license." For the purpose of eligibility for a Judicial Driving Permit, you must not have had a DUI or DUI Suspension within the past 5 years. Q: What do I need to do to get a Judicial Driving Permit issued? A: You will need an alcohol evaluation from a licensed DUI Counselor. DUI Counselors are listed in the Yellow Pages under "Alcohol Counseling and Treatment." To get an alcohol evaluation you will need to obtain a copy of your driving license record "for court purposes" from the driver's license facility located near you. During your evaluation the counselor will ask you questions about your drinking and drug use pattern and history to determine your risk level for repeating the offense of DUI and to prescribe the appropriate level of treatment to prevent recidivism. You will also need a letter from your employer (or yourself if you're self-employed) stating the days and hours you work (including overtime) and to what extent you drive within the scope of your employment. Top Q: I can't afford to lose my driving privileges for even one month. Is there anyway to avoid the suspension completely? A: Yes, you can contest the lawfulness of the suspension. You are entitled to a hearing 30 days after you notify the State of your intention to contest the suspension. At the hearing on a Petition to Rescind the Statutory Summary Suspension, you are entitled to raise four issues: 1) Whether the police had reasonable grounds to believe you were driving under the influence. 2) Whether the police had probable cause to stop you. 3) Whether you were properly warned of your rights concerning taking and/or refusing to submit to breath or blood tests. 4) Whether you refused to take the breath or blood tests or, if you took the test, whether your blood alcohol concentration was 0.08 or more. If the Judge rules in your favor on any one of these issues, the suspension will be lifted by the Secretary of State upon receipt of the Court Order. Top Q: Is there a way of avoiding the suspension even if the Judge rules against me? A: If the State has a very weak case against you on the DUI charge, some Courts will occasionally agree to remove the suspension as part of a plea agreement. Typically, the defendant must have a clear driving record and pay a much higher fine than would normally be expected: up to $2,500.00. Top Q: Can my insurance company find out about this DUI? A: By law, the Secretary of State can give out information concerning your driving privileges. If you receive Court Supervision the Secretary of State is not allowed to disclose the fact that you were charged with DUI. However, the Secretary of State can disclose the fact that you received a DUI suspension, but only during the actual time of the suspension. For example, assume your suspension is effective from January 1 through March 30 of next year. If your insurance company asks for information on your driving record on January 2 or March 29, the State will tell them you have the suspension. If the insurance company asks for information on December 30 of this year or April 1 of next year, the State, by law, may not disclose the existence of the suspension. Top Q: Is it worth the effort to get the suspension lifted? A: It's always worth it to get the suspension lifted. Your insurance rates go ballistic if they find out you've had a DUI suspension and that's assuming they don't refuse to renew your policy. Top Q: Will my Driver's License be automatically reinstated at the end of the suspension period? A: No! In order for your license to be reinstated you must send a sixty dollar reinstatement fee to: Illinois Secretary of State DUI Processing Division 2701 South Dirksen Parkway Springfield, Illinois 62723 or you may pay the fee with a Visa or Discover credit card by calling the Secretary of State at (217) 782-3619. If you pay by mail you should do so at least ten (10) days prior to the end of date of your suspension to allow for processing. Top Q: When do I have to pay the fines assessed against me? A: If you can afford it, you can pay your fines right away. However, you do not have to pay them until the date you return to Court to terminate your Supervision: i.e., ten (10) or twelve (12) months down the road. Top Q: I'm a first-time DUI offender with a good driving record. Assuming the police have a good case against me, what punishment can I reasonably expect from the Court? A: If your DUI occurred in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, or DeKalb County, and the DUI did not involve an auto accident causing serious personal injury or death, the sentence you should expect is Court Supervision and a Fine between $200 and $800, plus fees and court costs. You will also be required to obtain an alcohol evaluation and complete any remedial education or treatment recommended by that evaluation. Upon completion of Court Supervision you will be required to return to Court with proof that you have complied with the terms and conditions of Supervision. Assuming you do that, the Court will then dismiss the DUI charge and it will not appear on your driving record. Top Q: If the State has a good case against me, do I really need to hire a lawyer to represent me if I am a first time offender? A: Remember the old saying, "He who represents himself has a fool for a client!" Because every case is different an experienced attorney can be of value to you even in so called "good" cases. For example, an experienced lawyer may find defects in the State's case that you are unaware of. Secondly, not all Judges in the Counties listed above will grant Court Supervision to 1st offenders. Your lawyer will know who those Judges are and will get your case transferred to another Judge. Third, your lawyer should know what is reasonable to expect in plea negotiations so you will not be punished more than normal under the circumstances. Finally, the Judge you are appearing before may simply not allow you to proceed without the benefit of a lawyer. In short, hiring an experienced attorney to represent you for a reasonable fee will give you peace-of-mind knowing that your rights are being protected by someone who knows the law, the Judges, and the Court system. You can trust him to work for you and your best interest. Top Q: How much is "reasonable" to pay an attorney to handle a 1st offense DUI? A: If you ask five different lawyers that question you'll get five different answers: Most competent attorney's charge between $750.00 and $1,500.00 to handle a 1st time DUI case, although I've heard of rates ranging from $450.00 to $2500.00. In law, like everything else, you tend to get what you pay for! Being railroaded because you didn't pay enough to obtain competent counsel is worse than hiring better counsel than you need. Remember you choose your lawyer -- he works for you! Top GENERAL DRIVER'S LICENSE QUESTIONS Q: "What is 'Scott's Law'?" Scott's Law was passed by the Illinois Legislature in 2002 and was designed to protect workers, both public and private, from some of the dangers of the being on the highways of the State. It is designed to protect not only emergency workers like police and firemen, but also construction workers and funeral processions. The Secretary of State has put out a pamphlet explaining the law. Link to: More Information About Scott's Law Top Q: "Can the Secretary of State Suspend or Revoke my Driver's License for other reasons besides Traffic Tickets?" Many people, and often their attorneys, are unaware that your Driver's License may be suspended or revoked for criminal offenses other than traditional traffic offenses. For example, if you are convicted of any of the following criminal offenses your driver's license may be taken away. 707 or 550/7 * Cannabis Control Act violation - manufacture and delivery while using a motor vehicle 707or 550/7 * Unauthorized delivery of a controlled substance while using a motor vehicle 9-3 * Reckless homicide resulting from operation of a motor vehicle 11-15.1 * Soliciting for a juvenile prostitute while using a motor vehicle 11-19.1 * Juvenile pimping while using a motor vehicle 12-5 * Conviction of reckless conduct 12-13 * Criminal sexual assault while using a motor vehicle 12-14 * Aggravated criminal sexual assault while using a motor vehicle 12-15 * Criminal sexual abuse while using a motor vehicle 12-16 * Aggravated criminal sexual abuse while using a motor vehicle 18-3 * Vehicular hijacking 18-4 * Aggravated vehicular hijacking 1401(a thru g) or 401(a thru g) * Unauthorized manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance while using a motor vehicle 1401.1(a) or 401.1 * Controlled substances trafficking 1402(a)1-11 or 402(a)1-11 * Conviction for possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance while using a motor vehicle 1402(b) or 402(b) * Conviction for possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance while using a motor vehicle 1407 or 407 * Unauthorized manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance while using a motor vehicle 1407.1 or 407.1 * Unauthorized manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance while using a motor vehicle 21-2 * Criminal trespass to motor vehicle 2103 or 600/3 * Sale or delivery of instruments used for illegal drug use or abuse while using a motor vehicle 22-51 or 635/2 * Sale or exchange of instruments used for illegal drug use or abuse while using a motor vehicle 24-1(a)3 * Conviction of unlawful use of weapons while using a motor vehicle 24-1(a)4 * Conviction of unlawful use of weapons while using a motor vehicle 24-1(a)7 * Conviction of unlawful use of weapons while using a motor vehicle 24-1(a)9 * Conviction of unlawful use of weapons while using a motor vehicle 24-1.2 * Conviction of aggravated discharge of a firearm 24-1.5(b) * Reckless discharge of a firearm 43-131(a) * Minor presents false ID to buy alcoholic beverage (Liquor Control Act of 1934) 335-14A 1-6 * Unlawful use of ID card 335-14AB 1-11 * Possessing/displaying/altering a fictitious ID card 335-14BB * Possessing/displaying a fraudulent ID card 335-14CA 1-3 * Presenting or accepting false formation for issuance of an ID card Top General Criminal Law Questions Q: Can I get an arrest or conviction expunged from my record? A: Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to expunge your criminal record even if you were convicted of a crime. The following is a link to information regarding expungement to get you started:
2. Mooredigiovanni: DUI FELONIES MURDER BATTERY ASSAULT ROBBERY FINANCIAL CRIMES MISDEMEANORS TRAFFIC OFFENSES SEX OFFENSES NARCOTICS AND DRUG OFFENSES
3. McCullough, Stacy: Assault and Battery Burglary Criminal Defense Criminal Law Drivers License Suspension Driving While Intoxicated Drug Crimes DUI DWI Felonies Forgery Homicide Juvenile Law Manslaughter Misdemeanors Parole and Probation Search and Seizure Sex Crimes Sexual Assault Theft Traffic Violations
4. Russo, Richard: DUI/DWI/Alcohol-Related Offenses Arrested for DUI? Talk to a Defense Lawyer Will you lose your driver's license if you were arrested on a DUI/DWI charge? What are the consequences? What are the steps you have to go through? Talk to an experienced DUI defense attorney about your DUI, DWI or other alcohol-rated offense (for example, consumption, open container).
5. Miglore, Salvatori: Losing your license is one of most troublesome consequences of a conviction for a DUI/DWI or traffic violation. The inconvenience of dealing with a revoked license often far outweighs the fear of a possible jail sentence. Most people do not know their rights when stopped and arrested for a DUI. Under Illinois law, you face increasingly severe penalties for each subsequent conviction you get for drunk driving. Depending on your record, your blood alcohol content, and other aggravating factors, you may be charged with either a felony or a misdemeanor DUI. You must deal with both the civil and criminal penalties of a drunk driving charge. Civilly, you must request a rescission hearing to contest the pre-judgment suspension of your license and/or to request a Judicial Driving Permit.
6. Joseph Solon: In Illinois, DUI arrests trigger two separate cases: a criminal case and a civil case. The criminal case can result in jail time, fines, a suspended driver's license, a revoked driverÕs license, required alcohol education classes, and more. In addition, a drunk driving arrest also triggers a civil case which involves an automatic administrative driver's license suspension. There are two ways to fight it. You are entitled to an initial hearing that can save your license or you can seek later relief from the Illinois Secretary of State. Timing is critical in these matters. Many people donÕt realize that they must request a hearing within a certain number of days. After that, your license is automatically suspended and there is no recourse.
7. Thomas Fezzy:
   What to do if you are facing a possible DUI?
   
   
   If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation, keep the following in mind:
   
   
   *Field sobriety tests in Illinois are optional.  You may refuse to participate in a field sobriety test without any penalty. 
   
   
   *Portable breath tests in Illinois are optional.  The risk of an erroneous result far exceeds the benefit of taking one.
   
   
   *Chemical testing in Illinois consists of breath, blood or urine analysis.  There are penalties for refusing to submit to these tests, such as automatic suspension of your driving privileges, even if you are completely sober.  If you are certain that you are sober, there is little to lose by submitting to a chemical test.  Once you have submitted to a chemical test by the police, you have a right to obtain an independent test of your own choosing.  Blood testing is considered the most accurate and it is recommended after the police administered chemical test.
   
   
   *Do not submit to an interview by the police.  Remember, you have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
   
   
   *If you are arrested, after you are released from police custody, immediately videotape your condition with audio (sound) to record your speech as well as your physical condition.
   
   
   *Videotape the route driven by the motorist.
   
   
   *Photograph the area where any field sobriety tests were administered for weather conditions, uneven areas or other conditions that may have affected the fairness of the tests.
   
   
   *Get an independent blood test as soon as possible.
8. Stephen Brundage: Many people fail to appreciate the severity of a drunk driving (DUI) charge. Such charges must be taken seriously, as a conviction can lead to revoked driving privileges, significant fines, increased insurance premiums and jail time. Driver's License Consequences Although it is often possible to avoid jail time on a first time DUI, there are still serious consequences. Regardless of what happens in your criminal case, if you are arrested for drunk driving because you failed an Intoxilyzer test or because you refused a test, your drivers license will be subject to an automatic suspension. This license suspension can range from six months to 3 years. This suspension can be challenged in a summary suspension hearing, but you must act quickly to preserve your right to this hearing. If the suspension is ultimately imposed, after 30 days you will be eligible to drive with a Blood Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAAID) installed on your car. The problem is, this device can be very expensive, may provide false positives, and must be calibrated every 30 days. It is less restrictive than a complete prohibition on driving, but can still pose a significant inconvenience. Truck drivers who hold a Commercial Driver's License can lose their CDL license for conviction of DUI - even if they were off-duty and driving a personal vehicle.
9. Fawell & Associates: In Illinois, DUI's are divided into two phases. The first phase is the Statutory Summary Suspension of a person's license. As a result of a person's arrest for DUI, his or her license is automatically suspended 46 days after his or her arrest. The length of the suspension depends on whether the person has a prior Statutory Summary Suspension and whether the person submitted to a breath or blood test in the current case. This suspension is automatic. However, the law does provide an opportunity for the defendant to have a pre-trial hearing at which he or she can contest the suspension. This pre-trial hearing is separate and distinct from a person's guilt or innocence. The second phase of a DUI is the guilt or innocence of the person accused of the DUI. In this phase, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the guilt of the person accused of DUI.
10. Zotti-Sandowski: If you have been cited for DUI/DWI, you should know that the law gives serious consequences upon conviction.Ê And these punishments drunk driving are even more severe for repeat offenders.Ê A DUI sentence may require you to pay a substantial fine, serve some time in jail, or both.Ê In addition to any fines or jail time, your driverÕs license may be suspended, even if it is your first offense.Ê You will have to find alternate transportation and go through considerable effort to regain your driving privileges after a drunk driving conviction.Ê To add insult to injury, many insurance companies will drop your motor vehicle coverage if you get a DUI.Ê The companies that will insure you will only do so at a greatly increased premium.Ê It is easy to see how important it is to protect your rightsÊ- and to do that, you need a lawyer who will work to stop these consequences from becoming reality.Ê
11. Marquardt, Kallas & Belmonte: When your charged with a crime, you don't want to have a criminal conviction on your permanent record. You want an attorney who is experienced and is well known in the legal community.
12. Gerald McNichols: Driving under the influence" (DUI) and "driving while intoxicated" (DWI) are two names for the crime of drunk driving. A conviction for drunk driving can carry serious consequences, including driver's license suspension or revocation, fines, and time in jail or prison. Accordingly, a person charged with drunk driving should seek legal counsel from an experienced DUI attorney to minimize any court penalties imposed. DUI : Driving Under the Influence of alcohol or an illicit substance - any substance, licit or illicit, if it impairs the driving function. DWI : Driving While Intoxicated.
13. Vincent Cornelius: Trust someone who knows the system to provide the right representation and guidance.
14. Ramsell & Armamentos If a person refuses to submit to chemical testing or submits to a test disclosing a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or more, his or her license will be suspended on the 46th day from the date of service with a notice of suspension (also known as the law enforcement sworn report). 1. ILLEGAL STOP OF PERSON OR VEHICLE Ð a driver cannot be stopped unless the officer has a reasonable and articulate basis to believe that a traffic law or other law has been violated. Similarly, a person cannot be seized unless a violation has occurred. 2. WEAVING INSIDE THE LANES IS NOT ILLEGAL Ð weaving without crossing any lines is not a violation of the law, and a vehicle cannot be stopped for that reason. 3. ANONYMOUS REPORT OF DRUNK DRIVING -- a car cannot be stopped simply because an anonymous citizen reported that the driver was drunk. 4. STANDARD FIELD SOBRIETY TESTING IS INACCURATE Ð in healthy individuals, the one-leg stand test is only 65% accurate, and the walk-and-turn test is only 68% accurate in determining if a person is under the influence. Those persons with injuries, medical conditions, 50 pounds or greater overweight, and 65 years or older cannot be validly judged by these tests. 5. NON-STANDARDIZED FIELD TESTS ARE INVALID Ð neither the Federal Government (NHTSA) nor medical science considers touching your finger to your nose, or saying the alphabet, or counting backwards, as valid sobriety tests. 6. BREATH TESTING IS INACCURATE Ð virtually all experts concede that one breath test alone is unreliable. The Illinois Supreme Court has remarked that breathalyzers are not foolproof. Finally, breath testing in Illinois is subject to various inaccuracies, including a +/- 12.5% variance, non-specificity for ethanol, etc. 7. BOOKING ROOM VIDEOS Ð Many police stations videotape suspects at the police station, where their speech is clear and their balance is perfect, in spite of police testimony to the contrary. 8. IN-SQUAD VIDEOS Ð more and more often, the suspectÕs driving and performance on field tests is being recorded; often contradicting police testimony. 9. FAILURE TO PROVIDE SPEEDY TRIAL Ð If a client is not provided with a trial within 120 to 160 days of demand, through delays of the court or prosecutor, the charges must be dismissed. 10. POLICE BLOOD TEST INACCURATE Ð Many times, police blood testing fails to follow prescribed rules of testing, analysis, or preservation recommendations. 11. HOSPITAL BLOOD TEST INACCURATE Ð Hospital blood tests overestimate a personÕs true level by as much as 25% in healthy, uninjured individuals, and are not statistically reliable in severely injured persons. 12. BREATH TEST OPERATOR UNLICENSED Ð An Illinois Breath Test Operator must possess a valid, unexpired operatorÕs license, or the breath test result is inadmissible. 13. BREATHALYZER MACHINE MALFUNCTIONS Ð if there is a malfunction or repair of the breath test instrument within 62 days before or after a suspectÕs breath test, the results of the suspectÕs test are presumed invalid. 14. BREATH TEST OPERATOR LICENSE EXPIRED -- An Illinois Breath Test Operator must possess an unexpired operatorÕs license, or the breath test result is inadmissible. Licenses expire automatically every 3 years. 15. BREATH TEST DEVICE NOT APPROVED Ð A breath testing instrument must be listed on the Federal List of Approved Breath Evidential Instruments and the ISP approved list of Devices, or the results are inadmissible. 16. FAILURE TO PROVE DRIVING Ð a defendantÕs admission to driving, without more, does not prove a charge of driving under the influence. 17. INDEPENDENT WITNESSES Ð often times, independent witnesses to accidents, bartenders, hospital personnel and others can provide crucial evidence of the defendantÕs sobriety. 18. FAILURE TO MIRANDIZE Ð prosecutors may not use as evidence the statements of a defendant in custody for a DUI when the police have failed to properly issue Miranda Warnings. 19. FIELD SOBRIETY TEST IMPROPERLY ADMINISTERED Ð according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, improperly administered field tests are not valid evidence of intoxication. 20. OFFICERÕS PRIOR DISCIPLINARY RECORD Ð a police officerÕs previous disciplinary record can be used to attack the officerÕs credibility. 21. PORTABLE BREATH TEST INADMISSIBLE Ð Illinois law prohibits the use of portable breath testing results as evidence at trial in a DUI case. 22. PORTABLE BREATH TEST IMPROPERLY ADMINISTERED Ð The manufacturers of portable breath testing devices require a minimum of two tests to consider the results evidential in nature. 23. FAILURE TO CONDUCT OBSERVATION PERIOD Ð Illinois requires that a driver be observed continuously for a minimum twenty minutes prior to a breath test in order for the results to be considered admissible and valid. 24. EXPERT WITNESSES Ð Expert witnesses are available to review the validity of breath tests, blood tests and field sobriety tests. 25. MEDICAL AND HEALTH PROBLEMS -- Medical problems with legs, arms, neck, back and eyes can affect the results of field sobriety tests. Further, other medical conditions can also affect the validity of breath test results. 26. BAD WEATHER Ð Weather reports establishing high winds, low visibility, and other conditions are available to explain poor driving or poor balance. 27. LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST -- A police officer must have specific and articulable facts to support any arrest for DUI, or the suspension will be reversed and the evidence suppressed at trial. 28. ILLEGAL SEARCH Ð the police are prohibited from searching a person or the automobile for a minor traffic offense, and may not search a car without a driverÕs consent or probable cause. Any evidence illegally obtained is not admissible in court. 29. PRIOR INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS BY POLICE OFFICERS Ð any statement made by a police officer, verbally, in police reports, or at previous court proceedings may be used to attack that officerÕs credibility. 30. POST-DRIVING ABSORPTION OF ALCOHOL Ð the prosecutor must prove the blood or breath alcohol at the time of driving. Recent consumption of alcohol just prior to driving will cause the test results to be higher than what the true level was when the person was operating the automobile. 31. INTERFERING SUBSTANCES Ð many items contain forms of alcohol which may cause false results, such as asthma spray, cough drops, paints, fingernail polish. These items can cause the breath results to be invalid. 32. BREATH MACHINE NOT PROPERLY OPERATED Ð the manufacturers of breath testing devices have specified protocols which must be followed for a breath result to be valid. Failure to follow these requirements will result in improper readings. 33. FAILURES TO PRODUCE DISPATCH TAPES Ð most stops of vehicles are recorded on dispatch tapes, as well as recording police communications regarding an arrest of an individual. Failure to preserve such tapes upon request can cause all evidence which could have been recorded to be suppressed. 34. MISLEADING STATEMENTS BY POLICE OFFICERS Ð Any misleading statement by the police regarding the consequences of taking (or refusing) a blood, breath, or urine test will cause the suspension to be reversed and removed from the driverÕs record. 35. STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS Ð A misdemeanor charge of DUI must be filed within 18 months of the date of offense, or the charges will be dismissed outright. 36. PRIVATE PROPERTY Ð a person who has not driven the car on a public highway cannot be suspended for drunk driving. 37. FAILURE TO DISCLOSE EXPERTS Ð the failure of the prosecutor to disclose the stateÕs expert(s) will cause those witnesses to be barred from testifying against the defendant. 38. LACTATE RINGERS Ð when hospital staff use lactate ringers during the treatment of a patient, the hospital blood serum results will report falsely elevated, and therefore invalid, readings. 39. FAILURE TO RECORD CERTIFICATION TESTS Ð the failure to include the value of the simulator solution used to test breath machines will cause the breath test results to be inadmissible in court against the driver. 40. FORCED BLOOD DRAWS Ð the police may not take a blood test against the driverÕs consent where there has not been an injury involved, or the result is inadmissible.
15. Carole Betz: Traffic tickets can have serious consequences. While most tickets are "violations," some traffic tickets are criminal charges. A license suspension can happen when a driver receives several minor tickets or, in some cases, one serious ticket. A conviction of a traffic offense will result in fines and possibly points against your license. In addition, your insurance company may increase your rates. You have a right to cross-examine the witness against you (usually the police officer). An experienced attorney is best equipped to handle cross-examination and increase the odds of successfully defending the charges against you. If you have no legally permissable defense to the ticket, you may be able to obtain a sentence of court supervision, with court supervision, the ticket will not be on your record as a conviction.
16. Emily Kelly: DUI/DWI-Traffic violations can have serious criminal consequences, particularly when a driver is accused of driving under the influence. A conviction on DUI/DWI 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. An experienced criminal defense attorney can make all the difference in such a difficult case.