DUI charges can carry severe penalties in the state of Illinois. Cases vary depending on their unique circumstances, and you could find yourself facing either a misdemeanor or felony charge, each carrying varying consequences. A misdemeanor DUI charge can see you facing incarceration of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $2500 plus court costs, along with a suspended driver's license, alcohol/drug classes and evaluations, community service, and possibly more.
If you have been arrested for a DUI involving drugs or alcohol around Lake County you will want to find an experienced DUI attorney as quickly as possible. Our attorneys at DUI Lawyers 24/7 have the experience and knowledge you will need to get the best possible result from your case. Schedule an appointment today for a free case consultation!
Statutory Summary Suspension
For most circumstances, a first-time DUI offense will be charged as a Class A misdemeanor. Cases with more severe outcomes such as serious bodily injury or death, however, can see the DUI charge upgraded to a felony. First time offenders may face a suspension of their driving privileges of between 6 and 12 months, depending on their consent or refusal of a breath/blood/urine test. Subsequent DUI offenders will face a license suspension of up to 3 years.
This is a statutory summary suspension; an administrative sanction set against your driving privileges by the Illinois Secretary of State. The statutory summary suspension allows for the automatic suspension or revocation of your driving privileges in Illinois when you are arrested for a DUI and fail, refuse to submit to or fail to complete chemical testing. Your license suspension or revocation will take effect 46 days after you receive your notice of license suspension, typically issued shortly after your arrest.
First time DUI offenders who take a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test that returns a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher will face a license suspension of 6 months. A driver that refuses a chemical test will face an automatic suspension of their driving privileges for 12 months. Multiple-time DUI offenders may have their driving privileges revoked for up to 3 years.
A license suspension is a civil sanction set in place by the Illinois Secretary of State. Despite this, a petition to rescind the statutory summary suspension should be filed in the relevant circuit court in order to preserve your right to challenge the suspension. If this petition is successful the suspension will be lifted and your driving privileges will be restored.
Monitored Device Driving Permit
In many cases, a driver facing a DUI charge will have their license suspended, which can create difficulties in commuting to work or school. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the charge, you may be eligible for a Monitored Device Driving Permit (MDDP). You will be ineligible for an MDDP if you have a statutory summary suspension or DUI conviction within 5 years of your most recent arrest.
If you are eligible for the MDDP, however, you can have an Ignition Interlock Device installed in your vehicle that allows you to drive during your suspension period. For the majority of situations, this is preferable to having your driving privileges suspended entirely for an extended period of time.
Learn More: What Should You do After a DUI?
Hire an Experienced Mundelein DUI Lawyer
If you have been charged with a traffic violation, you could end up with negative marks on your driving record. This is particularly true for a DUI arrest, and depending on the circumstances, you could face severe criminal and administrative punishments. The best thing you can do for your case is to hire a DUI attorney with legal experience to help you navigate your case and establish what is best for you.
Our Lake County DUI attorneys have the expertise to help you make an informed decision regarding your case and, if necessary, excellent trial skills to help you defend yourself in the courtroom. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to see how we can help you fight your DUI charge!
Municipalities Covered
We work throughout Lake County, to include:
- Antioch
- Bannockburn
- Barrington
- Barrington Hills
- Beach Park
- Buffalo Grove
- Deer Park
- Deerfield
- Fox Lake
- Fox River Grove
- Grayslake
- Green Oaks
- Gurnee
- Hainesville
- Hawthorn Woods
- Highland Park
- Highwood
- Indian Creek
- Island Lake
- Kildeer
- Lake Barrington
- Lake Bluff
- Lake Forest
- Lake Villa
- Lake Zurich
- Lakemoor
- Libertyville
- Lincolnshire
- Lindenhurst
- Long Grove
- Mettawa
- Mundelein
- North Barrington
- North Chicago
- Old Mill Creek
- Park City
- Port Barrington
- Riverwoods
- Round Lake
- Round Lake Beach
- Round Lake Heights
- Round Lake Park
- Third Lake
- Tower Lakes
- Winthrop Harbor