A DUI in Illinois, driving under the influence (DUI) it means that you were operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drug(s) to the extent that your motor skills, mental faculties and your reaction times were impaired to the point that you can’t operate a motor vehicle safely. Driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater is considered per se, or automatically, under the influence of alcohol.
When you are arrested for a DUI in Illinois, there are two separate cases that arise: the criminal court case, which is held to determine a your liberty, and the civil case with the Secretary of State, which is held to determine your eligibility for a driver’s license.
DUI ILLINOIS PENALTIES
If you’re convicted of a DUI in Illinois for the first time – depending on the circumstances – you can expect to pay substantial fines and be subjected to varying penalties. If you are convicted of your first DUI, you are subject to court fines reaching into the thousands of dollars! According to the Illinois’ Secretary of State in its 2012 DUI report, the average cost of a DUI in Illinois is $16,580, exclusive of any attorneys’ fees.
If your Breath/Blood Alcohol Level (BAC) is .16 or higher, or if you were driving with a minor in the vehicle, the DUI fines and fees significantly increase. If you are convicted of your first DUI Illinois, you’re also going to be required to complete community service, or, pay additional fines for each hour of community service ordered. Your first DUI may also result in probation. If your license is suspended, and you wish to obtain relief from the suspension, you may have install a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID).
DUI ILLINOIS LAWYER
DUI Illinois attorneys defend DUI offenses and drunk driving cases and DUI in Illinois. A DUI Illinois attorney or criminal defense attorney will be able to assist you with the two separate cases that you’re facing and offer DUI defense strategies. They will be able to handle both the criminal DUI charges and the civil case with the Secretary of State regarding a license suspension or revocation.
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