In the news is a Springfield firefighter arrested for a third Illinois DUI. With a third DUI, the Captain faces some serious criminal and driver’s license issues. For the driver’s license issues, you have to have more information beyond the fact this is the third arrest for DUI (Driving Under…
Articles Posted in DUI
Under what DUI situations is the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) required in Illinois?
You are arrested for an Illinois DUI (Driving Under the Influence) You have posted bond, been released from jail and have been assigned a court date. You have in your hand a bunch of papers and are wondering, what now and what does this all mean? You will probably receive…
US Supreme Court hears DUI case
Each year, the United States Supreme Court is asked to grant certiroria (which is necessary before the High Court will hear an appeal) in tens of thousands of cases. The Court only accepts about 150 of those petitions a year. All other applicants’ are denied Supreme Court review. The court…
In Illinois DUI cases, what are the time frames for losing your license?
Illinois law makes it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. (DUI). Penalties for a first offense can be as much as a fine of $2,500 and up to 364 days in the county jail, or a combination of the two. 625 ILCS 5/11-501 A conviction for DUI requires…
What tools are available to the police in Illinois for proving a DUI charge?
At one time, an arrest for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) was not that big of a deal. Many such charges were reduced to reckless driving so that the driver did not lose his or her driver’s license. Even when a DUI conviction did occur, there was normally a small…
What does the MADD survey regarding Central Illinois DUI convictions mean?
On a daily basis, we read and hear about arrests for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). After an arrest occurs, the case follows two tracks. The first track has to do with the driver’s license suspension from a DUI arrest. In connection with a DUI arrest, you will be asked…
What effect does a previous reckless homicide have on a new DUI charge?
Illinois has a reckless homicide law. 720 ILCS 5/9-3 In its simplest terms, reckless homicide involves doing something grossly dangerous and stupid that causes the death of another person, even if unintended. A classic case would be randomly firing a gun into a crowd. The reckless homicide law formerly provided…
If marijuana ever becomes legal in Illinois, would it be legal to drive high?
Illinois, as is the case with most states and the federal government, makes it illegal to possess marijuana. A few states recognize medicinal marijuana, which can be used with a prescription. A couple of states recently decriminalized (made legal) marijuana use. A topic for another time is how those states…
Why are some DUI cases dismissed?
There are approximately 40,000 Illinois DUI arrests each year. And that is just one state. Over the course of an entire year, in the nation as a whole, there must be hundreds of thousands of such arrests. In fact, we personally represent many Illinois residents who have been convicted of…
What is the difference in Illinois between a suspended and revoked driver’s license?
Suppose you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Illinois. Such an arrest typically involves a criminal charge. If you are convicted, you face the possibility of being fined, sentenced to probation or jail, ordered to attend alcohol classes and a MADD panel, required to wear an ankle…