You are at a close friend’s Halloween party. The food is great, and so are the drinks. You are having a great time. A few hours after the party begins to settle down, you head back to your home in Barrington Hills.
The drive is pleasant. There are very few cars on the road and the night sky is clear. Right before you can reach your home, however, something very unpleasant happens: a police car forces you to pull over.
Your first interactions with the officer are pleasant. And then, the officer asks you to take a sobriety test. You take this test and learn that you failed. Because of this, you are charged with driving while under the influence.
By going over what jail time might look like after a Halloween DUI, and speaking with an experienced Chicago DUI defense lawyer, you may have an easier time obtaining the best possible legal outcome.
Will You Get Jail Time After A Halloween DUI?
The answer to this question is “It depends.” More specifically, it depends on whether or not you are convicted of a DUI. It also depends on the facts of your case and the penalties imposed on you.
In the event that you are convicted of a DUI in Illinois, you could spend up to one year in jail. Being convicted of at least one DUI in the past makes jail time far more likely.
Depending on the facts of your case, prison time is a possibility. This is especially true if you are convicted of an aggravated DUI. This charge can arise if you were driving with a minor or bodily harm was inflicted upon someone.
On the other hand, if you are not convicted of a DUI, you will not receive jail time for that DUI charge. The best way to avoid a DUI conviction is to work with an attorney who knows how to obtain “Not Guilty” DUI verdicts.
What Else Can Happen After A Halloween DUI?
Even if a Halloween DUI conviction does not lead to jail time, it will almost always lead to a license suspension. In most cases, your license will be suspended for at least one year.
During your one-year license suspension, you will be unable to drive your vehicle. This can make it very difficult for you to go to work, go to the grocery store, or do the things that you are accustomed to doing.
If you were convicted of at least one DUI in the past, your license will likely be suspended for at least five years. A third DUI conviction in Illinois can lead to a ten-year suspension, or longer.
Outside of losing your right to drive, you may be ordered to pay a fine and/or perform some form of community service. Both of these things can make it more difficult for you to live the life you are accustomed to.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
You can protect yourself from a Halloween DUI conviction – and the penalties created by this conviction – by working with an experienced DUI defense attorney.
Being convicted of a DUI is very serious. It can lead to jail time, a license suspension, and a permanent criminal record. Investing in the right legal assistance can make it much easier for you to live the life you are accustomed to.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
When facing a DUI charge, 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 attorneys today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.