Are you a licensed professional facing a DUI in Illinois? If so, you should be aware of how a DUI conviction could impact your life. If convicted of a DUI, you could face not only legal penalties, but licensure issues as well. A DUI can seriously affect your professional certification. Contacting an experienced DUI defense lawyer can help you explore your options.
DUI Penalties
Driving under the influence is a serious crime in Illinois. The law forbids drivers from unsafely operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two. Because driving under the influence creates a risk to the public, a DUI offense is treated harshly under the law. Even first-time offenders are at risk of steep legal consequences. Any subsequent DUI charges can bring even more severe penalties. If convicted of a DUI in Illinois, you could face the following legal penalties:
- First Offense (misdemeanor): up to one year in jail; fines up to $2,500; community service; required use of blood alcohol content (BAC) monitoring devices; and driver’s license suspension.
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Second Offense (misdemeanor): jail sentence up to one year; community service; fines up to $2,500; mandatory driver’s license revocation mandated by law; minimum five-year driver’s license suspension; and required use of blood alcohol content (BAC) monitoring devices.
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Third Offense (felony): prison sentence between three and seven years; mandatory driver’s license revocation; minimum 10-year driver’s license suspension; and fines up to $25,000.
Additional Consequences for Licensed Professionals
If you are convicted of a DUI, you could face the legal penalties listed above. However, the legal consequences of your conviction are not the only consequences you may have to deal with. Many licensed professionals are required to report DUI convictions to their licensing board or organization. For example, airline pilots are required to notify the Federal Aviation Administration of any DUI/DWI conviction or administrative action. Federal agents and officers may also be required to report their DUI arrests and convictions to their departments. These federal agencies have internal rules dictating any professional consequences a convicted employee may face.
In Illinois, doctors, nurses, massage therapists, pharmacy technicians, and other professionals licensed through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) must report DUI arrests and convictions to that department. Depending on the circumstances in each individual case, the convicted driver may have his or her professional license revoked or suspended. Again, such punishment from the IDFPR may be in addition to legal penalties. A suspended or revoked license can have a devastating effect on your career, especially if you own your practice. You could be out of work for a significant period of time due to such licensure issues.
Call Our DUI Defense Lawyers
An experienced Schaumburg criminal defense attorney can help you protect your legal rights and your career. At Glasgow & Olsson, our highly trained DUI attorneys have represented numerous professionals across the Schaumburg area. We will advocate for you in and out of the courtroom. Take the first step by scheduling your free initial consultation with our firm today. Call us at 847.577.8700, or contact us online anytime.