Every day, drivers are arrested by law enforcement in McHenry County, Illinois and charged with DUI's. They undergo field sobriety tests, chemical blood alcohol tests, questioning, and face criminal conviction for drunk driving. They also suffer a wide range of consequences, from community service or supervised probation to a myriad of accompanying criminal charges and the possibility of life behind bars. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous, often results in property damage and bodily harm to drivers and those around them.
While most DUI arrests are by first time offenders, many without any other charges on their criminal record or driving record, repeat offenses do happen and are punished even more harshly. Those with multiple drunk driving convictions risk hefty fines, years behind bars, and even more years lacking the legal ability to drive. If you are facing DUI charges in McHenry County, call DUI Lawyers 24/7 today at 847-999-7616.
Do I Need to Hire an Attorney for a DUI?
Like many other states, Illinois is extremely strict when it comes to DUI's. Punishments can be swift and harsh, especially for a first-time DUI offender. The court believes that harsh punishments serve to dissuade repeat offenders, and without an experienced attorney at your side, you may be facing maximum penalties for your offenses, especially if any bodily harm occurred during your driving incident.
The average citizen and first-time offenders often have no experience with the Illinois court system, and the possibility of jail time can be extremely taxing on the mental health of defendants, as can the mental anguish caused by regret and stress from trying to find a way to move forward. With an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side, you don't have to worry about your time in court. You can rest assured that your attorney will do everything possible to ensure your case comes to the best possible resolution, and you can look forward to your future with realistic expectations of what that will look like.
You can also be sure that if you hire an attorney, they know more about the day-to-day workings of the court, and can give you a realistic timeline as well as help speed the timeline up as much as possible. For a first-time offender, this can look like AA meetings, a suspended license, and maybe community service rather than up to a year in a McHenry County jail. Attorney's specializing in DUI defense also know how best to challenge evidence such as field sobriety tests, which are often inaccurate due to police error in the issuance of these tests.
How Much Do DUI Lawyers Cost in Illinois?
There is no set amount for the cost of hiring a McHenry County DUI lawyer since every case differs from the next. This means that even if you know several other people who have gone to court for a DUI, your case will most likely not cost the same as any of theirs. The average person spends between $2000 and $3600 going to court without an attorney on their side, whereas you can add at least another $1,000 or more if you hire an attorney to represent you. The longer the case, or trial, the more expensive, whether or not you hire an attorney.
While it might seem expensive, you are more likely to have your charges dropped or lowered with an attorney at your side, as well as be offered a good plea deal or receive lesser sentencing. If you are facing jail time, other criminal charges, or license suspension, there is no need to gamble with your freedom and future when you don't have to. When you hire adequate counsel, you do so with the peace of mind that your case will conclude with the best possible outcome, rather than leaving your time as a free person to the luck of the draw.
Review Your Defense Options With Our Firm
It's time to hand over your case to an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At DUI Lawyers 24/7 in McHenry County, we have an excellent team of vetted attorneys that specialize in DUI and traffic law and court, and handle cases in court and before a judge on a daily basis. Driving under the influence of alcohol doesn't have the be the end of your time behind the wheel forever. Everyone makes mistakes, and it's our job to make sure that your mistakes don't rule the rest of your life. Call us today for a free consultation.