St. Patrick’s Day is a massive annual celebration, particularly in Chicago. Chicago hosts the second-largest parade in the country, which is kicked off with dying the Chicago river green. The day typically brings lots of alcohol consumption as well, which has resulted in high rates of accidents involving people driving under the influence. The best strategy to avoid receiving a DUI on St. Patrick’s Day is not to drink and drive, however, if you see those flashing lights in your rearview mirror, Glasgow & Olsson is here to help.
What Happens When You Get Pulled Over Under Suspicion of a DUI?
Being pulled over under suspicion of a DUI can be scary and overwhelming for many people. Having an experienced attorney who you are able to call in these moments can be crucial. Here are the typical steps that occur when being pulled over:
- Law enforcement must have probable cause to believe the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol to pull someone over for a DUI.
- Law enforcement will signal with lights and sirens for the driver to pull over onto the shoulder of the road.
- The driver should stay in the vehicle with their hazards blinking and keep their hands visible by holding the steering wheel.
- Comply with all of the law enforcement officer’s requests and ensure open communication around what the driver is reaching for, such as a driver’s license and registration.
- The officer will likely inform the driver of the reason they have been pulled over, and following this, the officer will likely request to breathalyze the driver or perform a sobriety test.
Can I Decline a Breathalyzer or Field Sobriety Test?
Illinois has an implied consent law, which means that anyone driving a vehicle in the state is deemed to have given consent to a breathalyzer, blood, or urine test IF the Police have probable cause to believe the person is driving under the influence. The officer, upon requesting the driver submit to testing, will then inform the driver that refusal to submit will result in a suspension of the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Glasgow & Olsson Can Help
If you need representation for a DUI charge in Cook County, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help. There are several things we can do to help fight a DUI charge, including:
- Challenging the initial stop – We will investigate to determine whether the law enforcement officer had probable cause to pull you over under suspicion of a DUI. If there is no probable cause, the charges can be dismissed.
- Challenging the results of the sobriety test(s) – If you did not take a breathalyzer test at all, we can challenge whether the officer had a basis to charge you with a DUI. If you did take a breathalyzer test, we can still help you fight the results.
- Expunging a DUI charge – Under certain conditions, our lawyers can help apply for an expungement to take a first-time DUI arrest off your permanent record.
When you need an attorney, experience matters. Contact us today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.