In the state of Illinois, is it against the law to drive a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of (BAC) of .08 or greater. People who are caught doing so face being convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol1, or DUI. The penalties associated with DUI can be extremely severe, and quickly escalate for individuals convicted of multiple offenses. In addition, certain aggravating factors such as injuring another person or having a particularly high BAC can also significantly increase the potential penalties, even for first time offenders.
Fortunately, there are often many potential defenses an experienced Chicago DUI defense attorney can raise in order to mitigate any legal consequences you may be facing. In some cases, an attorney may even be able to have a case completely dismissed or dropped by the prosecution. Because every case is different, it is important to have a lawyer thoroughly review your case before deciding how to proceed. Call Illinois attorney Nenye Uche today to schedule a free consultation.
DUI can result in serious legal and collateral consequences
Illinois law authorizes a number of potential penalties for a 1st time DUI offense. These include the following:
- The loss of your license for a year
- Fines of up to $2,500
- Imprisonment for up to a year
- Mandatory alcohol education counseling
- Probation
In addition to these legal consequences, a DUI may also result in other, extra-legal consequences as well. Termed “collateral consequences2,” these are issues that arise outside of the judicial system but also occur as a direct result of your DUI conviction. For example, the presence of a DUI on your record may result in the loss or denial of a professional license. In some cases, a DUI can also keep you from obtaining certain types of employment. Finally, court records are generally available to the public. As a result, a DUI conviction may negatively affect your reputation in the community and may even interfere with your personal life.
Contact a Chicago DUI defense lawyer today to schedule a free consultation.
As a former prosecutor, attorney Nenye Uche understands what it takes to successfully defend against allegations of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Call our office today at 888-251-4428 to schedule a free consultation.
1http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-501
2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collateral_consequences_of_criminal_conviction