DuPage County DUI Attorney Can Fight For Your Rights If You Were Charged With A DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 of Illinois law, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Felony DUI charges are typically reserved for repeat offenders and other egregious situations, but even a misdemeanor charge can carry serious consequences. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony DUI, DuPage County DUI attorney Michael Stefanos can fight against aggressive prosecutors and help you get a fair result.

The Consequences of a DUI Conviction In Chicago

Every DUI charge carries the possibility of substantial fines and time in jail if you are convicted. The severity of the penalties you face will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case. These circumstances can include the following:

• Your BAC or level of impairment at the time of your arrest
• Whether you have prior DUI convictions
• Whether you caused an accident while driving under the influence
• Whether you caused injury to someone else

Most first-time DUI offenders with a BAC of less than .16% will likely avoid jail, but you will likely be ordered to undergo counseling and perhaps perform community service. You should also be aware that your license will immediately be suspended, even before your case is adjudicated. Lastly, Illinois has a “lifetime look-back” policy, meaning that your first DUI conviction will be considered if you are subsequently charged with DUI at any point in the future.

Do not assume that your DUI charge will be favorably resolved. Get the help you need by contacting a DuPage County DUI attorney as soon as possible.

Your DUI Charges Must Be Proven

Most everyone is already aware that it is illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state of Illinois. Under the law, you cannot have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or above, typically measured by a breathalyzer device. However, prosecutors can also rely upon blood tests to prove their case, both for alcohol and drug-related DUI cases.

That said, you can face a DUI charge without either a breathalyzer or a blood test. You could be charged with DUI if the prosecutor had probable cause to suspect that you were driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can include prescription drugs that you have a valid prescription for.

It is critical to understand that you are innocent until proven guilty and that sufficient evidence must support the prosecution’s case. The prosecution must be able to prove that you were impaired and unable to drive safely. An experienced DuPage County DUI attorney can assess your case and explain what defenses may be available in your case, such as the following:

• The breathalyzer device was improperly calibrated
• The breathalyzer, blood, or field sobriety tests were incorrectly administered
• Your constitutional rights were violated
• The initial traffic stop was unlawful

An experienced DuPage County DUI attorney will be able to spot the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and, together with the evidence they can gather on your behalf, build a strong legal defense focused on obtaining the right result.

Call DuPage County DUI Attorney Michael Stefanos if You Have Been Charged with DUI

Get the help you need so that you can put your DUI case behind you as quickly as possible. Call or email us today to schedule a free consultation.

We represent clients all over DuPage County, including Addison, Aurora, Bartlett, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Itasca, Lemont, Lisle, Naperville, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Roselle, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Villa Park, Warrenville, Wayne Chicago, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willowbrook, Winfield, Wood Dale, and Woodridge.