The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been canceled due to the Coronavirus. In light of this you decide to meet friends at the local bar. You have to get out of the house and you can’t stand to watch another news special on the dangers of Coronavirus. Your plan was to drive to the bar, leave your car there, and get a cab or an Uber ride home later.
Unfortunately, cabs and Uber rides are scarce due to the Coronavirus scare and holiday festivities. You decide to drive home since you only had a few beers. Driving through your subdivision, only a few blocks from home, you do not come to a complete stop at a stop sign and get pulled over by the police. A night of fun has turned into a nightmare as the police officer informs you that you need to head back to the station with him.
DUI Arrests Rise in Illinois on Saint Patrick’s Day
Illinois residents know how to have a good time on Saint Patrick’s Day. Over 200,000 Chicagoans come from Irish-American heritage. And those Cook County residents who are not Irish feel welcomed to join in the fun. The festivities on Saint Patrick’s Day throughout Cook County bring a boost for local businesses while giving our increasingly divided community a rare chance to come together and celebrate as Americans.
We work so hard throughout the year; it is fun to kick back, relax, and drink a few green beers and Irish car bombs once a year as the weather warms up. No one ever intends to get a DUI. Even the most responsible people can make mistakes and drink one too many before getting into their vehicles. Illinois police departments increase their manpower and roadblocks to screen for DUIs on popular drinking weekends, including Saint Patrick’s Day.
It is Easy to Make a Mistake on Saint Patrick’s Day
At Glasgow & Olsson, we understand that it is easy to get caught up in the excitement and fun of a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Every single person has made a mistake that they regret at some point in our lives. It can be shocking and confusing to face DUI charges after making a bad decision after having one too many drinks. We are here to help.
Fighting Saint Patrick’s Day DUI Charges in Cook County
If you are facing criminal DUI charges for drinking and driving on Saint Patrick’s Day, your life could be negatively affected in the long run. If convicted, the court could revoke your driver’s license, and you could be subject to administrative and criminal penalties. Your insurance rates will likely increase, and you may have to pay for the installation of an alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in your case, as well as an alcohol evaluation and treatment. Additionally, the scarlet letter of having a DUI will be forever hung around your neck for you to be publicly pilloried for the rest of your life.
If you are facing a St. Patrick’s Day DUI charge in the greater Chicago area, we can help. Contact the experienced criminal DUI defense lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson today to schedule your initial consultation.