Bridgeview DUI Lawyers Help Motorists Facing Serious Consequences
Skilled attorneys defend Illinois drivers charged with driving under the influence
If you are charged with driving under the influence, you face serious legal consequences, including restriction or loss of driving privileges. Skinner Law Firm, P.C. will stand up for you, providing a strong defense and making use of all available legal remedies to achieve the most lenient treatment possible.
Is there a difference between DUIs, DWIs and OVIs?
Many states make distinctions between driving under the influence (DUI), driving while impaired (DWI) and operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). In Illinois, there is no difference. DUI covers all drug- and alcohol-related driving offenses.
Experienced attorney explains stiff penalties for DUI convictions
Under Illinois law, you may be convicted of driving under DUI if you have:
- A blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 percent
- A BAC level of 0.05 to 0.08 percent and additional evidence shows you are impaired
- A concentration of the psychotropic drug in marijuana (THC) of five nanograms per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms per milliliter of another bodily substance
- Impairment from using marijuana or any medication
- Used any other controlled substances
Failing a chemical test or refusing to take one may result in the automatic suspension of your license.
If convicted of a first DUI offense, you will face:
- Revocation of your driver’s license for at least one year, or two years if you were under 21 years old at the time of the offense
- Suspension of your vehicle registration
- If your BAC is 0.16 percent or more, at least $500 in fines and at least 100 hours of mandatory community service
If you are convicted of a second DUI offense within 20 years of the first, the penalties increase and can include jail time and driver’s license revocation for five years.
In a number of circumstances, a DUI becomes aggravated DUI, which is a felony. These circumstances include:
- A third or subsequent DUI charge
- Having a previous DUI conviction that resulted in death
- Driving passengers in a vehicle for-hire (such as a bus or taxi)
- Causing serious bodily harm, permanent disability, disfigurement or death
- Driving with a child under 16, if you injure the child in a crash or this is your second offense
- Crashing a vehicle in a school zone
- Driving without a valid driver’s license or vehicle liability insurance
- Driving while your license is suspended or revoked for DUI, reckless homicide or leaving the scene of an accident
Conviction for aggravated DUI requires both jail time and increased community service.
Regardless of the level of offense charged, we will work hard to limit or avoid the harmful effects of conviction by providing a strong criminal defense or seeking a plea bargain for an acceptable outcome.
How we can help if you are arrested for DUI
If you retain us after you are arrested, we will carefully evaluate your case, focusing on a number of questions that might help get you an acquittal or reduction of sentence. These include:
- Did the police have probable cause to stop you?
- Were you advised of the consequences of refusing a breath or blood-alcohol test?
- Were all field sobriety, breath and blood-alcohol tests conducted according to state standards?
- How long after you were driving were the tests conducted?
- Were you read your Miranda warnings?
- Were you actually driving?
Depending on the answers, we may be able to suppress evidence against you and obtain a dismissal or reduction of charges.
Contact a skilled Illinois DUI lawyer for a free initial consultation
If you are charged with DUI, Skinner Law Firm, P.C. can provide the representation you need. We have been defending clients throughout the Cook County area for 20 years, and we are ready to put that experience to work for you. Please call 312-635-6459 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation at our Bridgeview office.
