Illinois DUI Lawyer Blawg
Most states have DUI laws that prohibit people from driving while impaired due to the use of drugs or alcohol or with a blood alcohol level that exceeds .08%. If a person is convicted of a DUI offense in a state other than the state that issued their license, it could impact their driving rights, but it does not always. One woman is hoping to change that by campaigning for laws that would require states to share DUI convictions with one another. While the legislation is currently pending in Wisconsin, it may provide insight into the landscape of DUI law in Illinois and other states in years to come. If you are charged with an Illinois DUI crime, it is prudent to speak to an Illinois DUI defense lawyer to discuss your rights.
Wisconsin Law Regarding DUI Information
A mother devastated by the loss of her child in a drunk driving collision has focused her anguish into a never-ending campaign to alter DUI laws. Recently, it appears her efforts have begun to pay off. Her son died in 2018 after the car he was riding in went off a road near Three Lakes, Wisconsin. The driver of the car survived the accident but was charged with homicide after his blood alcohol level was found to be over two times the legal limit. He was going over double the speed limit at the time of the crash as well.
The driver held an Illinois driver’s license, which should have been suspended immediately when he refused a breathalyzer test. However, because Wisconsin is not a member of an interstate compact that allows states to share information, Illinois was never informed about the collision, and he continued to drive. Further, he was able to obtain a Wisconsin license when he moved there while his charges were still pending. He would later be found guilty of the allegations and sentenced to three years in prison. However, the mother launched a campaign to rectify the lack of information sharing between states.
Recently, two Wisconsin senators introduced legislation to join Wisconsin to the states that share information through the Driver License Compact, stating that it would remove a dangerous loophole and improve best practices and data exchange going forward. It will also remove dangerous drivers from Wisconsin roads. Despite the fact that the fate of the Wisconsin legislation is unknown, the woman remains optimistic.
Illinois Law Regarding Out of State DUIs
Wisconsin, Michigan, and Georgia are the only states that have yet to sign the interstate agreement. Currently, however, Illinois will revoke a person’s driver’s license if they are convicted for a DUI in another state, and that conviction is reported to the Secretary of State for Illinois. The length of time a person will lose their license depends on whether it is their first or subsequent DUI. Specifically, their license will be revoked for at least one year if it is their first DUI conviction, five years if it is their second DUI within 20 years, and ten if it is their third DUI within 30 years.
Meet with a Knowledgeable Illinois DUI Defense Attorney
Attorney Theodore J. Harvatin, of the Harvatin Law Offices, PC, is a skilled Illinois DUI defense attorney, and if you are accused of a DUI crime, he can help you to seek a favorable outcome. You can reach Mr. Harvatin through the form online or at 217.525.0520 to set up a conference.