Whether celebrating a birthday in a bar or having a quiet night in at a friend's house, it's easy to have too much to drink without realizing it. An enjoyable night can turn into a devastating one when you see blue lights flashing in your rearview mirror. Being arrested for driving under the influence can have serious implications, both criminally and personally. You could face jail time and a strike on your criminal record, but the punishment doesn't end there--your driving privileges can be stripped away from you, which can in turn strip you of your freedom.
If you are facing a charge of DUI in Illinois, the team of DUI defense attorneys at Dolci & Weiland are ready and waiting to fight your legal battle on your behalf. Our firm handles all forms of DUI cases, so you can rest assured that no matter the circumstances surrounding your charge, you're in good hands when you entrust us with your case.
DUI Resulting in Great Bodily Harm
While every charge of driving under the influence is serious, the stakes are even higher for someone who has caused great bodily harm to a person in a DUI-related accident. If you were involved in an accident that caused life-threatening injuries or permanent disability, you can face an aggravated DUI charge. This is a Class 4 felony charge, and therefore the penalties that you can face are at a felony level--in addition to losing your driving privileges and paying a substantial fine, you can face imprisonment for up to twelve years.
DUI Involving an Open Container of Alcohol
While transporting alcohol in a vehicle is legal for adults who are over the legal drinking age, there are restrictions. A person is not allowed to transport alcohol which is in an open container in the passenger area of their vehicle. This doesn't just mean that you can't carry an open container in your car seat or floorboard; glove boxes and center consoles are also off-limits.
Essentially, if you can reach the alcohol while inside your vehicle, the alcohol must be sealed. If you're found to be transporting an open container at the time of your DUI arrest, you will face a separate charge for open container, which can lead to substantial fines and an additional suspension of your license.
DUI by a Minor in Possession of Alcohol
Minors are subject to more stringent rules than adults when it comes to driving under the influence of alcohol--although the legal blood alcohol concentration limit is 0.08%, a minor can be charged with DUI if his or her blood alcohol is 0.05 or more so long as there is evidence to prove that the minor was impaired at the time he or she was driving. In addition, Illinois' Zero Tolerance Law provides additional penalties for a minor who is found to be in possession of alcohol. In some circumstances, a minor can even lose his or her driving privileges until he or she turns 21.
DUI Causing Reckless Homicide
In the worst case scenario, your DUI-related accident can result in another person's death. Whether the person killed was a passenger in your vehicle, someone in another vehicle, or a pedestrian, unintentionally causing another person's death while driving can lead to devastating consequences. If the death occurred in a school zone or construction zone, the penalties that you may face can be even more severe, as your reckless homicide charge can be considered an "aggravated" charge. Causing another person's death while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a felony charge, which means that you can face years in prison if you are found guilty of the crime.
DUI While Uninsured
In order to drive a vehicle in Illinois, both you and your vehicle must be properly insured, as driving without liability insurance is illegal in the state. If you're found to be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and are uninsured at the time of your arrest, your charge can be elevated to an aggravated DUI charge, meaning you will face more severe penalties if convicted of your charge. Driving under the influence while uninsured is a Class 4 felony which can result in several years in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
DUI Without a Driver's License
If you've been charged with driving under the influence without a valid driver's license, the penalties that you can face upon conviction are steep. Driving with a suspended license is illegal in and of itself, but when that offense is compounded by a charge of driving under the influence, a person can be in quite the mess. If found guilty of the charge, your driver's license can be suspended for an additional period of time once your original suspension period has passed. In addition, you can face jail time and possible impoundment of your vehicle.
Facing a DUI Charge? Let Us Help You Today
If you are facing a charge of driving under the influence in the state of Illinois, the best decision that you can make is to seek legal representation from a seasoned DUI defense attorney. An attorney who knows the ins and outs of Illinois DUI law may be able to assert a legal defense to your charge which could lessen the punishment that you face if convicted.
No matter the type of DUI charge you are facing, you should never try to fight your charge on your own--luckily, with Dolci & Weiland close by, you don't have to. With two convenient locations in the state and a team of DUI defense attorneys who are dedicated to providing competent representation to their clients, your case is in good hands with Dolci & Weiland.
Don't wait until it is too late to obtain the legal help you need from an attorney you can trust--to speak with a member of our legal team about your charge, fill out an online case evaluation form or call the office nearest to you today. For our DuPage office, call (630) 261-9098, or for our downtown Chicago location, contact (312) 238-9007.