DuPage County DUI Lawyers

Serving clients in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Kendall, McHenry and Will counties since 1979

Chicago DUI Lawyer Explains The Consequences of a DUI DWI Conviction

We will fight hard to defend you and your license. Despite harsh penalties set forth by laws throughout the United States, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) remains one of the most common criminal charges.

Illinois law sets a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent as the level at which all motorists are deemed too impaired to drive. Any person who drives a motor vehicle in Illinois with a BAC of .08 or more risks a DUI charge if stopped by a law enforcement officer.

Even though the legal limit of alcohol concentration in the blood is 0.08% in Illinois, you can be charged and convicted of a DUI with a blood alcohol content of less then 0.08% and face severe penalties. The high BAC in Illinois is 0.16%, the threshold blood alcohol content for which maximum penalties and fines may apply, even on a first offense.

Consequences of DUI/DWI Conviction

A DUI conviction will result in stiff penalties and may have long-term ramifications including:

• Fines and court costs
• Loss of driver’s license
• Mandatory jail sentence
• Ignition interlock device
• Alcohol abuse assessment & treatment
• Permanent criminal record
• Increased Insurance premiums
• Cancellation of insurance
• Mandatory alcohol safety school
• Job loss
• Community service

Whether a DUI charge is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor will depend on whether you have had previous convictions and other factors are involved, such as if your actions endangered a child, caused serious injury or death.

Underage Drinking & Driving

The state has a zero tolerance law, which means that anyone under 21 years of age who has drunk any amount of detectable alcohol is driving illegally. There are stiff penalties for the first conviction and more severe punishments for subsequent offenses. The first underage DUI conviction may result in:

• Loss of full driving privileges for a minimum of two (2) years
• Possible imprisonment for up to one (1) year
• Maximum fine - $2,500

A DUI Charge Results in Two Cases

When you are arrested for drunk driving, you will have to deal with two separate cases. One is criminal and the other, a civil law matter, is administrative in nature and relates to your driver’s license and driving record.

• Criminal DUI Case. Because criminal law governs the criminal portion of your DWI arrest, in most cases you must appear in court for arraignment, trial or negotiated disposition and sentencing. The court determines a jail sentence, fines and alcohol education class.
• Administrative Hearing. The second aspect of your DWI charge is an Illinois Secretary of State Driver’s License hearing in which your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked.

If you are arrested for drunk driving in Illinois, it is essential to have an experienced dui lawyer to protect your rights, explain the charges and consequences you face and help you obtain the best possible outcome.

At the Law Offices of Steven H. Mevorah & Associates, our attorneys regularly defend clients facing DWI charges in Lombard, Bloomingdale, and the greater Chicago metro area. Extensive DUI defense experience gives our lawyers in-depth understanding of the scientific procedures involved in Breathalyzer, blood and other tests, which police officers administer to prove your guilt. We are prepared to question the tests’ reliability, accuracy and validity, and are committed to protecting your legal rights.

Our law firm offers an initial consultation at no charge to you. Contact Us Online or Call 630-932-9100 to learn how we can help make a difference in the outcome of your case.