In the 1980’s, the Federal government began inserting itself into DUI laws. Prior to that time, matters of traffic safety were left to each state. The Federal government strong-armed the states into accepting federal oversight by threatening to withhold highway funds for those states that did not play ball. The…
A Champaign Illinois police sergeant was arrested for DUI The arrest occurred in nearby Piatt County (Monticello). The DUI arrest was anything but routine. The cop was weaving across the Interstate so badly that other drivers called the police. The driver had slurred speech and an odor of alcohol. Thereafter,…
Illinois law on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) provides that “A person shall not drive or be in actual physical control of any vehicle within this State while:” [under the influence]. 625 ILCS 5/11-501 There are a number of issues involved in the quoted phrase. One is the matter of…
The focus of efforts in Illinois to reduce offenses for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) has taken three directions. The first is the criminal justice system, which has made DUI a serious crime. Even a first DUI conviction is a Class-A misdemeanor subject to a fine of as much as…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…