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DUI Tests in Illinois

If you have been stopped by an officer in Illinois who suspects that you are driving under the influence, you may be subjected to a variety of tests to determine your level of sobriety. This includes questions at a sobriety checkpoint, field sobriety tests, and chemical testing for drugs or alcohol.

Field Sobriety Tests in Illinois

If you are pulled over under suspicion of driving under the influence, a police officer may ask you to perform a field sobriety test. This test is made up of three sub-parts:

  • Walk-and-Turn Test: Wherein you are asked to walk in a straight line and turn around to test your balance.
  • One-Leg-Stand Test: Where you stand on one foot for as long as the officer asks you to do so while keeping your balance.
  • Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) Test: Where you follow an object smoothly with your eyes.

If you fail any of these tests, then the law enforcement officer may have reason to arrest you for DUI. These tests must be performed correctly, though, and there are several circumstances that can lead an officer to believe that you are drunk when you are not.

Chemical Tests in Illinois DUIs

Whereas field sobriety tests can be substantially inaccurate, chemical tests produce more concrete evidence of whether you are driving under the influence of alcohol. Chemical tests include:

  • Breath tests: these are the most common form of chemical tests, and require you to blow into a machine that will use your breath to determine your blood alcohol content (BAC).
  • Blood tests: if you refuse to submit to a breath test, you may be ordered to perform a blood test, wherein a medical professional draws a sample of your blood and sends it off for testing.
  • Urine tests: although rare and more inaccurate, this form of alcohol testing requires you to produce a urine sample which is sent off for testing to determine whether you were under the influence of alcohol at the time you were pulled over.

DUI Checkpoints in Illinois

Sobriety checkpoints are roadblocks where cars are stopped at random to check for people driving under the influence. Sobriety checkpoints are considered legal in the State of Illinois. However, the officers who perform these stops must follow strict protocol to make sure these stops don't violate drivers' rights. It's also important to know your rights when it comes to sobriety checkpoints, and understand what you are and are not required to do for an officer if you are pulled over.

Facing a DUI Charge? We're Here to Help

If you have been arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a sobriety test, chemical test, or DUI checkpoint in the state of Illinois, now is the time to secure legal representation to defend against your charge. Dolci & Weiland's team of criminal defense attorneys is dedicated to providing you with quality representation and keeping your best interests in mind.

Don't wait until it is too late to seek legal help. To schedule a consultation to speak with a member of our legal team today, fill out an online consultation form or call the law office closest to you today--for our DuPage office, call (630) 261-9098, or for our downtown Chicago location, call (312) 238-9007.

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