DUI and Alcohol Offenses Defense Attorneys Serving the People of Illinois
Being charged with driving under the influence (DUI) is an offense that can lead to serious repercussions and penalties. In Illinois, the law considers you to be driving under the influence of alcohol if the alcohol concentration in your blood or breath is .08 or more. If you have been charged with a DUI, it is crucial that you seek counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney. Without an attorney’s guidance, you could face license suspension or revocation for long, extended periods of time, heavy fines, and serve time in prison. Our attorneys can work to have your charges reduced or even dismissed. At Beck & Houlihan, P.C., we aggressively fight all DUI charges in DuPage, Kane or Will counties in northern Illinois. Our attorneys are prepared to help you when you face serious criminal charges. We are recognized in the legal community for our work and have extensive trial experience. We will have successfully defended our clients charged with DUI and saved their driving privileges.
Drug Charges: Driving Under the Influence of Substances Other Than Alcohol
While many people consider DUI charges to be related to the consumption of alcohol, operating a vehicle while under the influence of other drugs or narcotics may also result in a DUI arrest. Illinois law prohibits a person from driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while the alcohol concentration in the person’s blood or breath is .08 or more; while under the influence of alcohol; while under the influence of any intoxicating compound or combination of intoxicating compounds to a degree that renders the person incapable of driving safely; while under the influence of any other drug or combination of drugs to a degree that renders the person incapable of driving safely; while under the combined influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, or intoxicating compound or compounds to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving; or while there is any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in the person’ breath, blood, or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis, controlled substance, intoxicating compound or methamphetamine.
DUI Penalties
Anyone found driving under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof can be convicted of a Class A misdemeanor and, if it is their second offense, they will also serve a minimum term of five days in prison or 240 hours of community service.DUI penalties are harsher if there is a minor (under the age of 16) in the car at the time of violation (six months imprisonment, a fine of $1,000, and 25 days of community service) or if the blood alcohol concentration is .16 or more, which requires a minimum of 100 hours of community service and a fine of $500. All of these penalties dramatically increase with subsequent convictions if there is an auto accident involved as a result of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Underage Drinking in Illinois
Aside from driving offenses, the state of Illinois can suspend or revoke driving privileges for anyone caught using a fake driver’s license to purchase alcohol. In addition, for providing alcohol to a minor, you can face fines up to $2,500 and imprisonment for up to a year, with penalties greater if injury or death occurs due to the underage drinking. Illinois also has a social host law whereby you can be fined between $500 and $2,500, as well as spend up to one year in jail if you knowingly allow underage drinking to take place at a private residence.
Contact Our Experienced Wheaton DUI Lawyers
Our dedicated criminal defense attorneys at Beck & Houlihan, P.C., have countless years of experience handling DUI cases, drug charges, and related criminal defense cases. These serious charges should never be handled without the assistance of an experienced attorney. Contact us today at 630-398-3185 for a free consultation.