Chicago DUI Lawyer

If you are facing a Chicago DUI charge you should be as prepared as possible to make your best defense. Having your charges dropped, or at least lowered will make a significant difference to the outcome. The consequences of an Illinois DUI conviction is your best reason to secure an experienced Chicago DUI lawyer. With great legal assistance you are much more likely to suffer the least penalties and long-term repercussion.

A seasoned Chicago DUI lawyer is proficient in Illinois law and penalization specific to DUI. Their level of focused experience on your particular issue will be your best line of defense against the charges. If you are unsure of what your DUI translates into as far as punishment, then see the brief rundown below.

A Chicago DUI lawyer will help you avoid these consequences:

1st Illinois DUI Conviction:

• Cost in Fines: $500 – $3,500 – fines will fluctuate depending on
BAC and involved passengers.
• Jail Time: up to 1 year – with an extra 6months added if there is an underage passenger.
• License Suspension: 1 year minimum.
• Other Penalties: You may also face a vehicle registration suspension as well as a court-ordered installation of an Ignition Interlock Device. Additionally, you will likely be required to perform community service for anywhere from 100 hours to 1 month.

Chicago DUI Lawyer

2nd Illinois DUI conviction – class A misdemeanor:

• Cost in Fines: up to $2,500 – this can exceed $20,000 with an underage passenger.
• Jail Time: 5 days to 1 year – bumped up to 3 years if an underage passenger is involved.
• License Suspension: 5 years – minimum if within 10 years of previous offense.
• Other Penalties: On top of the above-mentioned penalties a second Illinois DUI can also result in vehicle registration suspension and court-ordered community service.

3rd Illinois DUI conviction – class 2 felony:

• Cost in Fines: $2,500 – $5,000 – if there is an underage passenger the minimum will be $25,000.
• Jail Time: 1 to 3 years – which extends to as much as 7 years if an underage passenger is involved.
• License Suspension: 10 years
• Other Penalties: In addition to the severe penalties listed above, the vehicle registration will be suspended and community service will also likely be ordered.

4th Illinois DUI conviction – class 2 felony:

• Cost in Fines: $5,000 – $25,000
• Jail Time: 3 – 7 years
• License Suspension: Lifetime
• Other Penalties: Besides losing your legal driving privileges for life with no chance of a restricted drivers license, you also face community service and a court-ordered drug/alcohol program.

The penalties listed above are the reasons that you must secure a great defense for your case. The more your charges can be dwindled down, the less disruption to your life and finances. A well-experienced Chicago DUI lawyer will work hard to see that you receive the most favorable outcome possible.

An effective Chicago DUI lawyer will thoroughly examine every aspect of your case, starting with the initial stop that led to your DUI arrest. From there, every bit of evidence and action taken in your arrest will come into play as a potential area to file down the charges. The strict regulations involved in collecting evidence and making an arrest give opportunity to find fault, and therefore dismissal of charges. The bottom line is that a great defense will make a huge difference in the final outcome of your case.

Finding a great Chicago DUI lawyer means doing some research. It is very important to seek options and compare them. Do not simply go with the first lawyer that you consult with. You may be excited to get the ball rolling on putting this all behind you, but in order to do that you must find the right person to represent you. Additionally, since a first-time consultation is usually free of charge, it makes sense to take advantage of that. The more legal advice you get, the better you will be at deciding your best defense.