If you are an Illinois driver and you get a DUI in another state, do not assume that your driving privileges in the state of Illinois will go unaffected. This is particularly true because the Illinois Secretary of State may receive information about the offense and take administrative action against your Illinois driver’s license.
When an Illinois driver is charged with a DUI in another state, the case generally involves two separate issues. These are:
- The criminal case in the state where the DUI occurred
- The Illinois driver’s license consequences
Since these two matters can operate independently, resolving your criminal charges will not always mean that your driver’s license issues in Illinois will be automatically taken care of too.
Illinois drivers who are facing an out-of-state DUI must address both the criminal proceedings in the other state and any driver’s license action by the Illinois Secretary of State. An experienced Chicago driver’s-license attorney at Glasgow & Olsson can help you determine whether you need Secretary of State representation and what strategy will be the most suitable for your case so you can obtain the best possible outcome.
How Can Illinois Find Out About An Out-of-State DUI?
Since Illinois participates in interstate driver-information systems and agreements, it will engage with other states and share information about traffic-related convictions and certain licensing actions. As a result, an out-of-state DUI conviction or other qualifying offense may be reported from one state to the state of Illinois.
Once the Illinois Secretary of State receives such information, it may decide to evaluate whether Illinois law requires or permits action against the person’s driving privileges. Depending on the circumstances of the case, the action that may be taken can include a suspension, revocation, or other license restriction.
Everyone’s case is different. Consequently, the exact response by the state will depend on several factors such as the state where the DUI took place, the nature of the offense, the driver’s Illinois driving history, and if the driver has had previous DUI-related incidents.
Why Secretary of State Representation Matters
An Illinois driver should not only consider handling their out-of-state DUI’s potential criminal penalties that are imposed by the state where the DUI transpired. They should also think seriously about the separate consequences for their Illinois driver’s license. Here, representation before the Illinois Secretary of State can be important when they receive a notice concerning suspension, revocation, or another licensing action.
Administrative proceedings have their own rules, deadlines, and evidentiary requirements. If you are unsure of what to do and what you need, you could miss a deadline or fail to properly challenge an administrative action, which would make it significantly more difficult to protect yourself and your driving privileges. An attorney can prepare your case and advise you of what administrative remedies may be available, which can help you avoid the harshest penalties.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
When facing a DUI charge and other violations requiring you to have an Illinois license hearing, the quality of your legal representation can shape the course of your life. At Glasgow & Olsson, we don’t just practice DUI defense—we help define it.
Thomas Glasgow is widely recognized as a leading authority on DUI law in Illinois. He lectures statewide for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, contributes to the definitive DUI legal manual used by attorneys across the state, and is a trusted legal voice on major networks including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, experience, judgment, and respect matter most.
Speak with our Chicago DUI defense lawyers today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.