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In Chicago, Illinois, a DUI (driving under the influence) charge depends on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). You are legally "intoxicated" and will be charged with DUI if your BAC is measured by police at 0.08% or higher. If the police can prove that you are impaired, even if your BAC is below 0.08 (but above 0.05), you can still be charged with DUI. Having a BAC of above 0.16% is considered "driving while under the extreme influence" and comes with harsher penalties than those for a normal DUI range. Individual circumstances determine penalties for DUI. If you take the BAC test and are found to be intoxicated, your license will be suspended for a minimum of 12 months, if you are over 21 years of age. If you are under 21, you will face a minimum of 2 years suspension. If this is a first-time DUI, the court might not suspend the driver's license. A judge may impose 'court supervision' instead. This could include community service, mandatory alcohol treatment, etc., and varies by case. If you are charged with DUI a second time, you will not be given another chance; compelling evidence is needed for a judge to impose court supervision. If it is your second time offending, your license will be suspended for at least 5 years if the offense took place within 20 years of your first. You will get a longer suspension and tougher penalties if you have a commercial driver's license in Illinois . You may also go to jail and/or be fined if charged with a DUI, in addition to having your license suspended. If you are a first-time offender, your penalties can include: mandatory community service, a jail term of up to a year, a fine of up to $2,500 and you may have to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Second-time offenders face a much longer community service period, and will certainly require an ignition interlock device. A DUI charge a third time (or greater) is called 'Aggravated DUI'. Not only will you be fined up to $25,000 and spend 3-7 years in jail, you will have a minimum 10-year driving ban. A fourth offense comes with a lifetime driving ban. A charge of driving under the extreme influence comes with the same penalties as a DUI or aggravated DUI charge but you will go to jail without probation or conditional discharge after a fouth offense. DUI with child endangerment can also be charged. A 'child' is classified as someone in the vehicle under 16 years of age. Penalties for a first-time offense include 25 hours community service, a fine of up to $2,500, a one-year license suspension and 6 months in jail. If you are charged a second time (or greater), you'll face up to 3 years in jail, a fine of at least $2,500 and have your license suspended for five years. If you need more information about DUI law in Chicago, it's crucial that you discuss your case with a DUI Lawyer in Chicago right away. As you can see, there are many facets to developing a successful defense strategy and it's extremely difficult, if not impossible, to do it yourself. When looking to hire a DUI defense attorney, try to find a DUI Attorney in Chicago who specializes in drunk driving defense. You are more likely to have a successful outcome if you hire an attorney with this type of expertise.Chicago DUI attorney Chicago DUI lawyer Chicago DUI law attorney
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