DUI Lawyer - Berwyn, Illinois

In Berwyn, Illinois, the DUI criminal charge is prosecuted and adjudicated in the courts. This charge is separate from the Statutory Summary Suspension, which is an administrative process. A person convicted of an Illinois DUI charge who lost their driving privileges because of a summary suspension will have that time credited to the minimum driver’s license period of license suspension.

Being charged with DUI is a serious offense that can have major repercussions, including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. It is crucial that anyone facing an Illinois DUI charge understand what challenges they will encounter. Seeking the legal advice of a competent and professional DUI criminal defense attorney will help you understand all of your options and rights.

Administrative Hearing

Pursuant to Illinois law, an individual has 90 days to request a hearing to challenge a Statutory Summary Suspension from the Secretary of State. In order to preserve your right to an Administrative Hearing, it is crucial that you submit your request to the Secretary of State within 90 days.

DUI Penalties for First Time Offenders

• Jail Time - A first time DUI offender faces time in jail of up to 1 (one) year.
• Monetary Fines - Fines for a first time DUI can be up to $2,500.00
• DUI & Driving Privileges - A first DUI conviction results in the loss of driving privileges for at least one (1) year.
• Chemical Test Refusal - Refusing to submit to a test when requested by law enforcement will result in the revocation of driving privileges for 12 months.
• Commercial Drivers - Commercial drivers in Illinois are in violation of the DUI statute with a BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) of 0.04. A first time DUI conviction will result in the loss of the commercial driver's license for 1 (one) year, while any subsequent DUI (Driving Under the Influence) offenses will result in a lifetime loss of the (CDL) commercial license.
• Alcohol Evaluation - Successful completion of an alcohol and drug remedial education program is required for reinstatement of driving privileges.

Berwyn, Illinois DUI:

In Illinois, a driver is legally considered to be under the influence if they have a BAC of .08 percent or greater, have used any illegal substance, or are impaired by medication. A driver's BAC is based on the ratio of alcohol to blood or breath. However, an individual showing BAC levels between .05 and .08 percent may be convicted of DUI (Driving Under the Influence) if additional evidence determines that the driver was impaired. When the Illinois General Assembly passed legislation in 1997 to lower the illegal BAC (blood-alcohol concentration) limit to .08 percent from .10 percent, Illinois became the 15th state to impose such a change.

DUI Subsequent Offenses

Penalties are more severe for additional DUI (Driving Under the Influence) violations. Due to the complexity of BAC (blood-alcohol concentration), you may not be aware of your rights and the potential defenses available to your case. An experienced and competent attorney can guide you through this emotionally challenging process. Please contact a lawyer for an immediate, free consultation.

Contact a DWI criminal defense attorney for a professional and free consultation concerning your DUI (Driving Under the Influence) charge in Berwyn.