|
In Chicago, Illinois, a DUI (driving under the influence) charge depends on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A BAC of 0.08% or higher is considered "intoxicated" and means you'll be charged with DUI. If your BAC is at 0.05 or above but below 0.08, you are not considered intoxicated but you may still be charged with DUI (driving under influence) if the police can prove you are somehow impaired. If your BAC is above 0.16 percent, you are classed as ‘driving while under the extreme influence’ and will be subject to harsher penalties than a normal DUI charge. Individual circumstances determine penalties for DUI. If someone over 21 is found to be intoxicated, the penalty is a 12-month license suspension. A minimum 2-year suspension for offenders under 21. However, you should note that a court may chose not to impose a license suspension for first-time offenders. A judge may impose 'court supervision' instead. Depending on the case, this could be mandatory enrollment in an alcohol treatment program, community service, etc.. 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. Your license will be suspended for five years after a second offense if your first offense was less than 20 years prior. If you hold an Illinois commercial driver's license (CDL), you will be subject to harsher penalties, and a court will likely extend the duration of your suspension period. If charged with DUI, you may be fined and/or go to jail in addition to having your license suspended. After your first offense, you can be fined up to $2,500, spend up to a year in jail, be assigned mandatory community service and have to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. If you are a second-time offender, you'll definitely have to install an ignition interlock device and will face a longer community service period. A DUI charge a third time (or greater) is called 'Aggravated DUI'. This charge comes with a fine of up to $25,000, a jail term of three to seven years and you are not allowed to drive for a minimum of ten years. 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. You can spend 6 months in jail, be fined up to $2,500, be assigned 25 hours of community service and have your license suspended for a year after your first offense. Second-time (or greater) offenders face up to 3 years in jail, a 5-year license suspension, and a fine of at least $2,500. To find out how the DUI laws in Chicago work, you must talk to a DUI Lawyer in Chicago immediately. Obviously, the laws are complex and make it near impossible to form a successful defense strategy without professional assistance. When looking for an attorney to effectively represent you, seek out a DUI Attorney in Chicago who specializes in drunk driving defense. This will give you the best possible chance for success.Chicago DUI attorney Chicago DUI lawyer Chicago DUI law attorney
Related Articles -
Chicago, DUI, attorney,
| 
