Tag: DUI

4 Ways A DUI Can Ruin Your Life

The state of Illinois arrested 21,735 drivers for suspected drunk driving in 2021, and the crime resulted in 330 fatalities that year. DUI is dangerous, and getting charged with this crime can cause you severe problems in many areas of life. However, with the help of skilled Naperville DUI lawyers at Covert Marrero Covert LLP, it is possible to have a positive outcome on your case. Learn more below about DUI consequences to your life, then speak to one of our attorneys for legal advice.

What Are Penalties In Illinois For A First-Time DUI Conviction?

The first way a DUI can ruin your life is by saddling you with a criminal record and the resulting penalties. A first-time DUI in Illinois is a Class A misdemeanor, and your driver’s license will be suspended for at least one year. You could receive up to a year in jail.

If your blood alcohol level (BAC) was more than .16%, you also must pay a minimum fine of $500 and complete 100 hours of community service. If a child under 16 was in the car you will pay at least a $1,000 fine and get up to six months in jail.

The criminal penalties for a DUI conviction are merely the start of your problems. If you are convicted, you face the following collateral consequences to your life:

Employment And Education Difficulties

Many people charged with DUI have difficulty finding or keeping a job. If convicted, you are even more likely to face employment problems. When an employer runs a background check, it is likely an arrest or conviction will appear on your record. Also, having your driver’s license suspended can impede your ability to get to work and may prevent you from working in driving-related occupations. If you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you risk losing it if you have a DUI conviction.

Next, your ability to get an education can be affected by a DUI charge or conviction. Certain educational institutions want you to have a clean record of attending their programs. If you are already enrolled, the school could suspend or expel you for a criminal charge.

Auto Insurance Premium Increases

If you are convicted, your auto insurance rates are sure to rise, and often by a significant amount. If your auto insurance is canceled, finding a replacement policy could be challenging.

Damaged Personal And Professional Relationships

People with DUI convictions are looked upon dimly in American society. Many people in your personal and professional circle may not want to associate as closely with you after a DUI conviction. Fortunately, with the help of a skilled DUI attorney, it is possible to fight a drunk driving charge and potentially beat it.

Charged With Drunk Driving? Contact Our Naperville DUI Lawyers Now

Few things can derail your life faster than a DUI conviction. Before you know it, you could be put behind bars, fined, and have your driver’s license suspended for drinking and driving. That’s why you need to enlist the Naperville DUI lawyers at Covert Marrero Covert LLP by dialing (630) 717-2783 now. Even a first offense is not something to take lightly, and our attorneys will strive to get your charge reduced or even dismissed.

Do DUI Arrests Increase in Illinois During the Summer?

Summer accounts for 28% of driving fatalities in Illinois and the US, making it the deadliest season. The Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, and other summer holidays are considered the deadliest for DUI-related car accidents.

If you are charged, you can face hefty fines and jail time. The charge can also compromise your job prospects, harming your home life. Defense Illinois DUI lawyers can help you avoid such situations or reduce the charges.

How to Avoid A DUI During Summer?

Whether you are partying with friends or celebrating a national holiday, if alcohol is flowing freely, your chances of getting a DUI will increase exponentially. You can avoid punishing charges by following the following tips:

Have a Designated Driver

Before heading out to the festivities, ensure you have a designated driver. This individual should stay sober for the whole day so they can take you back home safely. Make sure this is a person you can trust not to drink.

Call an Uber or use Public Transportation

If you cannot get a designated driver, use rideshare options such as Lyft or Uber. You can also consider public transportation such as trains or buses. If you are caught drunk behind the wheel, and your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, you will be charged with a DUI. Better yet, hand your keys to someone else and tell them not to return them to you unless you are sober.

Obey Traffic Rules

If you have no choice but to drive home yourself and those drinks start to kick in, pull off the road safely and as quickly as possible. If you are not inebriated and have had a couple of drinks, obey traffic rules, so you are not pulled over.

This includes ensuring you remain within the speed limit and don’t look at your phone even if it starts ringing. Your hands should also be on the steering wheel at all times. You will be charged with a DUI if you are pulled over, and the officer smells alcohol on your breath.

Eat Something Before You Get Behind the Wheel

If you are drunk, ensure you eat something before you get behind the wheel. The food will slow down the effects of the alcohol on your senses. If your stomach is empty when you drink, your body will absorb the alcohol you consumed much faster. So make sure you eat some pretzels before getting in your vehicle or spread out your drinks, so your BAC doesn’t reach 0.08.

Contact Illinois DUI Lawyers If You Face Charges

DUI arrests can lead to severe punishments, from license revocation to extensive fines and jail time. The charge cannot be removed from your permanent record, which will impact your future. If you are charged with a DUI in Illinois, contact our Warrenville DUI defense attorney specializing in such cases. They can help you understand your options and find an appropriate way to fight back and preserve your future interests.

At Covert Marrero Covert LLP, we understand that most people who get arrested for drunk driving are unaware of how to proceed with a DUI defense. We have defended people charged with this offense for years and can help you understand your options. The last thing you need on your permanent record is a criminal charge that will follow you for the rest of your life. Contact us for a consultation today.

What You Should Do If Pulled Over For A DUI in Illinois

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 47% of car accidents in Illinois are caused by drunk drivers. That is no small number and one of the main reasons the state has strict DUI laws.

What to Do If You Are Pulled Over For A DUI in Illinois

Whether you are a party animal or like to imbibe once in a while, there are some things you should and shouldn’t do if you are pulled over for a DUI in Illinois:

Pull Over Safely

Calmly pull over to the side of the road as soon as you hear a police siren behind you and see those flashing lights in your rear-view mirror. Make sure the area is free from traffic and do not get out of the car. Plus, do not drive erratically. It may make the police officers suspect that you are drunk. You may get another traffic violation as well.

Avoid Incriminating Statements

Besides offering your driver’s license, basic information, and registration, do not give any other information or statements when responding to questions. Tell the officer that you do not answer questions if asked about what you were doing or where you were going. This is important because you may incriminate yourself without realizing it.

While the officer will not be happy with this response and may try to threaten you into answering, hold your ground. If you are arrested because of your silence, the court will throw out your case.

Do Not Challenge the Police

You cannot be pulled over because the officer who saw you had a hunch that you were intoxicated. They have to see you do something illegal or out of the normal to prove their suspicions, such as erratic driving, driving with the headlights off, etc.

These issues will be discussed when your DUI lawyers in Warrenville work on your case, so do not challenge the officers. You may end up incriminating yourself.

Submit To A Breathalyzer Test As Per Your Judgment

In the state of Illinois, driving is considered to be a privilege rather than a right. This means you will get arrested if you fail a breathalyzer test (i.e., your blood alcohol content is 0.08 or more). As per the state’s consent law, all drivers have already been given the right to get tested under probable cause that they are driving under the influence. Besides breathalyzers, this also includes urine and blood tests.

If you refuse to get tested, your license will be suspended for a short period. However, if you refuse, you may be able to help your case. The prosecution will have to prove that you were intoxicated behind the wheel by providing irrefutable proof, often presented via breathalyzer results.

Contact Covert Marrero Covert for A DUI Charge in Illinois

If you have been charged with a DUI in Illinois and are searching for competent and experienced DUI lawyers in Warrenville, look no further than Covert Marrero Covert LLP. We have years of experience aggressively representing clients like you and will give your case the complete attention it deserves.

Get in touch with us today for a free consultation for your DUI charge or any charge involving car accidents in Warrenville, Naperville, and Schaumburg.