You don’t want to be caught driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol in Illinois. State laws are quite strict and are enforced to ensure public safety. Penalties range from hefty fines to jail time, which can increase if the offense is repeated.
How You Can Be Convicted of A DUI
In Illinois, you can be charged with a DUI for:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Refusing to submit to a BAC or breath alcohol concentration test
- Having a BAC of 0.08% or higher
- Being under the influence of drugs or a combination of alcoholic beverages to the point you cannot drive without causing an accident
- Having THC concentration of five (5) nanograms or more in your bloodstream for two hours while you are in control of a vehicle. In other words, if you are too high to drive and are found behind the wheel of a car, you will be charged with DUI.
Even if you are not charged, you may still lose your driver’s license for a year. This can happen if you refuse to take a BAC. Refuse a second time, and you will have to carpool or use a ride sharing service for three (3) years because your driver’s license will be suspended.
Aggravated DUI
If you are charged with a felony in addition to a DUI conviction, this is considered an Aggravated DUI and results in a prison sentence. If you are on probation and are also convicted, you have to serve a certain amount of hours of community service. Fines can go as high as $25,000. Other penalties can differ – according to the circumstances of your case.
Besides a prison sentence, community service and penalties, you also can have a permanent mark on your driving record, lose your vehicle, lose vehicle insurance for three (3) years, must undergo regular alcohol/drug evaluations and attend mandatory administrative hearings.
At Covert Marrero Covert, our aim is to ensure our clients can get a lenient DUI case and this includes procuring a driving permit, which allows them to drive post-conviction, under special circumstances. We have helped several people in Warrenville, Naperville and Schaumburg with aggressive representation, and we can help you as well. Get in touch with us for a FREE consultation for your DUI case today.
