A single Illinois DUI arrest can seriously jeopardize your job, your freedom, and your reputation. If you have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence, you can’t afford to delay your defense. The penalties are harsh, you need a Cook County DUI lawyer who knows how to aggressively defend your rights.
The Chicago area DUI defense lawyers at The Davis Law Group, P.C. provide professional and knowledgeable legal representation from start to finish. We will analyze the facts of your case and determine the proper strategy necessary to ensure the best possible result.
What to Look for When Hiring a Chicago DUI LawyerOver the last 30 years, Illinois DUI law has become increasingly complex and fraught with numerous pitfalls for the inexperienced attorney. If you are arrested for DUI, choosing an experienced DUI Defense attorney is essential. Choose the wrong Chicago drunk driving lawyers to represent you on such an important case with such far-reaching consequences to your freedom, ability to drive, and financial well-being and you could pay the price for years to come.
Your Cook County DUI attorney should be experienced not only in the field of DUI defense but also in the area of driver's license law. That is why you should consider contacting The Davis Law Group, P.C. These practice areas are our legal team's primary focus. Our Chicago DUI lawyers are not general practitioners and only accept cases within our fields of concentration. We believe that this strategy best serves the interests of our clients.
DUI Conviction Penalties Can Be SevereIllinois has some of the most stringent DUI laws in the country. A DUI arrest can result in:
Loss of driving privileges
Job security concerns
Financial hardship due to fines, court costs, alcohol/drug counseling, ignition interlock device installation and monitoring, permit fees, reinstatement fees, and increased insurance premiums.
Below are 2023 statistics for DUI arrests in Illinois:
First-time DUI offenders made up 87% of all arrests.
91% of all those arrested for DUI lost their driving privileges.
Zero Tolerance violations resulted in the loss of driving privileges for 240 drivers under the age of 21.
Female drivers, who account for 50% of all licensed drivers, accounted for 25% of those arrested for DUI.
The highest DUI arrest rate was among males ages 25-34 (about 6 per 1,000 licensed drivers).
A first DUI conviction is a Class A misdemeanor that revokes your driving privileges for a minimum of one year (minimum two years if you are under 21) and results in the suspension of your vehicle registration.
Second DUI ConvictionA second DUI conviction is a Class A misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum of five days in jail or 240 hours of community service. Other penalties include vehicle registration suspension and revocation of driving privileges for five years if the second conviction results in an arrest within 20 years of the first one.
Third DUI ConvictionA third DUI may be prosecuted as an aggravated DUI in Illinois. If convicted of this Class 2 felony, you can be sentenced to a period of incarceration ranging from 3-7 years and a fine of up to $10,000.00. A third conviction will result in a revocation for at least 10 years, among other criminal and administrative sanctions.
With each conviction, the penalties become progressively more severe. A sixth or subsequent DUI may be prosecuted as a Class X felony which carries a sentence of incarceration of 6-30 years, which is the most serious felony offense in Illinois.
If convicted of 4 or more DUIs, your license will be revoked for life.
Aggravating FactorsWith all DUIs, you face enhanced penalties if circumstances like the following apply to your case:
Your BAC was .16 or more
You were driving without a valid license or permit and/or vehicle liability insurance
You were transporting a child under 16 at the time of your arrest
You were transporting a child under 16 and involved in a crash that injured the child
You were driving a school bus carrying young people
You were driving a vehicle for hire carrying one or more passengers
You were driving the wrong way on a one-way road
You caused an accident resulting in bodily harm, permanent disability, or disfigurement
You were previously convicted of reckless homicide while DUI or aggravated DUI involving a death
Your DUI occurred in a school zone and involved an accident resulting in any personal injury
Your DUI was the cause of death
Although DUI is commonly associated with driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, it actually covers a variety of offenses, including marijuana DUI, other drug-based DUIs, snowmobile DUIs and boating DUI.
Marijuana DUIAlthough recreational cannabis became legal in Illinois in January 2020, you can be charged with marijuana DUI under one or both of the following circumstances:
You drive with a THC concentration of five or more nanograms per milliliter of blood or 10 or more nanograms in your urine or saliva within two hours of either driving or being in control of a motor vehicle.
It is illegal to operate a watercraft while under the influence of intoxicating substances. In this instance, watercraft refers to motorized craft like fishing boats, motorboats, pontoons, and jet skis. If your BAC is .08 or higher (lower if you’re under 21 or hold a commercial driver’s license) or you have five nanograms or more of THC per milliliter of blood (or 10 nanograms in other bodily substances), you can be charged with boating DUI.
Other situations where a boating DUI charge may apply include:
You took a prescription or over-the-counter medications that impaired your ability to operate your boat safely.
BUI convictions may also result in a suspension of your watercraft operating privileges by the Department of Natural Resources, in addition to possible imprisonment, fines, and court costs.
FAQSWill I Lose My License if I’m Arrested for DUI?As a first offender, if you refuse to take a breath or other chemical test (blood or urine) when stopped by a police officer for DUI, your license will be suspended for 12 months. When you submit to a breath test after being stopped for DUI and register a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, your license will be suspended for six months. Additionally, if you are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, the Secretary of State will revoke your driver's license
If you lose your license after a DUI arrest, there may be a way to regain driving privileges. You may be eligible for a driving permit (MDDP) and/or your DUI attorney may be able to challenge the suspension during a hearing, commonly referred to as a petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension. Getting your license back after it has been revoked, however, requires a hearing with the Secretary of State. A Chicago DUI lawyer with experience in license reinstatement can help you prepare a compelling case for the return of your driving privileges and represent you during any necessary hearings.
Can’t a Public Defender Represent Me Instead of a Private DUI Lawyer?While public defenders play a vital role in the Chicago court system, the reality is that they have huge caseloads and can’t spend a lot of time on individual cases. In contrast, our Chicago DUI lawyers give each client the time and dedication they deserve.
It’s also important to remember that two different proceedings arise from DUI charges. While a court-appointed lawyer can handle your criminal case, they won’t be able to represent you in relation to your license suspension or revocation. A private Chicago DUI lawyer at The Davis Law Group, P.C., can handle all aspects of your DUI matter and provide the dedicated attention you need when facing these types of charges.
Why Should I Hire a Chicago DUI Lawyer?If you’re charged with DUI and don’t have a legal background, it’s difficult to understand or assess the strength of the evidence against you. Prosecutors may pressure you to plead guilty, saying that it’s the best outcome for you, but until you’ve spoken to a Chicago DUI lawyer, you don’t really have any way of knowing if that’s true.
Experienced drunk driving lawyers can often have DUI charges dropped or penalties reduced, depending on the circumstances. As an example, a DUI lawyer may find that your breath tests were conducted incorrectly and/or that the police had no probable cause to arrest you. If your blood alcohol level is only slightly over the legal limit or if there are some compelling sympathetic factors, the prosecutor may be willing to negotiate the penalties downward.
While there are no guaranteed outcomes, this type of legal maneuvering might persuade the prosecutor to accept a plea to a lesser offense or even drop the charges entirely. This is why you should hire an experienced and trusted Chicago DUI lawyer as soon as you’re charged. The earlier you retain counsel, the greater your chances of a favorable outcome.
Why Should I Hire The Davis Law Group, P.C. for My DUI Defense?If you’re charged with DUI, you need a defense lawyer with the knowledge, experience, and reputation needed to get the best outcome for your case. At The Davis Law Group, P.C., we fight to get you the best result for your circumstances, whether it be avoiding a conviction, reducing the charges or complete dismissal.
The founder of our firm, Attorney Larry A. Davis, is a recognized author and lecturer in the field of DUI and driver's license law, including Secretary of State rules and procedures. He is a co-drafter of the Illinois DUI law and has written numerous articles on these subjects for attorneys. He is a co-author of the book Defense of DUI, published by the leading continuing legal education program in Illinois. Mr. Davis has also argued numerous DUI cases before the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court and his writings on DUI law have been cited by the Illinois Supreme Court. His advice and counsel are regularly sought by legal practitioners including prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges alike.
Arrested for DUI? Call Our Chicago DUI Lawyers Immediately!If you seek effective, aggressive, and knowledgeable representation on a DUI, traffic, or criminal case, we look forward to hearing from you. Our Chicago DUI attorneys defend clients throughout the Chicago area, especially within Cook County, Lake County, and DuPage County.
The Davis Law Group, P.C. offers a free initial consultation to our prospective clients. Please be sure to visit our DUI / DWI FAQs page, explore our website, and contact us to learn more. Our office can be reached today at (847) 390-8500. Let us put our vast experience to work for you.
Over the last 30 years, Illinois DUI law has become increasingly complex and fraught with numerous pitfalls for the inexperienced attorney. Therefore, if you are arrested for DUI, choosing an experienced DUI Defense attorney is extremely important. Choose the wrong Chicago DUI lawyer to represent you in such an important matter with such far reaching consequences to your freedom, ability to drive and financial well-being and you could pay the price for years to come.
Your Cook County DUI attorney should be experienced not only in the field of DUI defense but also in the area of driver's license law. That is why you should consider contacting The Davis Law Group, P.C. These practice areas are our legal team's primary focus. Our Chicago DUI lawyers are not general practitioners and only accept cases within our fields of concentration. We believe that this strategy best serves the interests of our clients.
The founder of our firm, Attorney Larry A. Davis, is a recognized author and lecturer in the field of DUI and driver's license law, including Secretary of State rules and procedures. He is a co-drafter of the Illinois DUI law and has written numerous articles on these subjects for attorneys. He is a co-author of the book Defense of DUI published by the leading continuing legal education program in Illinois. Mr. Davis has also argued numerous DUI cases before the Illinois Appellate Court and Illinois Supreme Court and his writings on DUI law have been cited by the Illinois Supreme Court. His advice and counsel is regularly sought by legal practitioners including prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges alike.
If you seek effective, aggressive, and knowledgeable representation on a DUI, traffic or criminal case, we look forward to hearing from you. Our Chicago DUI attorneys defend clients throughout the Chicago area, especially within Cook County, Lake County, and DuPage County. The Davis Law Group, P.C. offers a free initial consultation to our prospective clients. Please be sure to visit our DUI / DWI FAQs page, explore our web site and contact us to learn more. Our office can be reached today at (847) 390-8500. Let us put our vast experience to work to help you.