Just imagine the following: it’s St. Patrick’s Day, and you are driving back home. You just left a wonderful party at your closest friend’s home. And, like anyone would, you enjoyed a few drinks.
Right before you reach your home in Northbrook, you are pulled over by a police officer. The police officer asks you to take a breathalyzer, which states that your blood alcohol level is greater than .08.
You are arrested and charged with driving under the influence. This is a very serious charge that, if it leads to a conviction, can, and will, affect at least the next year of your life.
Going over what it means to get a DUI on St. Patrick’s Day and speaking with an experienced Schaumburg DUI defense attorney will help you obtain the legal outcome you deserve.
What Happens If You Get A DUI?
If you get a DUI in Illinois, for your first arrest, the following can happen:
- You can be forced to pay a fine of up to $2,500.
- You can receive a jail sentence of up to one year.
- You can be ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
- You can have your license revoked for at least one year.
- You can be forced to undergo substance abuse counseling.
None of these consequences are pleasant. And, yet, they are very common.
Just as an example, if you are convicted of a DUI, you will almost always have your license suspended for at least one year and it can also be revoked. This means that, for a period of one year, you will not be able to drive on your own.
If you drive a lot for your work, or you have no other way of getting where you need to go, this will change your life for the worse. And that’s not even getting into the other consequences, such as jail time.
If you get a second or third DUI, the consequences become considerably more severe.
How Can You Defend Yourself From A DUI Charge?
The best way to defend yourself from a DUI charge is by working with an attorney who can help you. Doing so will make it much easier for you to get the “Not Guilty” verdict you are seeking.
To make things much easier for your attorney, you can go over every single fact that led to you being charged. This will help your attorney develop an effective defense.
Just as an example, if the officer who pulled you over did so, even though you weren’t speeding or driving erratically, you must mention this. Doing so will help your defense, making it easier for you to get the right verdict.
Depending on the facts of your case, your attorney could contest the legitimacy of your stop. Or, they could contest the tools used to assess your alcohol levels. They could also contest other aspects of your charge.
No matter the defenses your attorney employs, the end result will be the same: helping you obtain a “Not Guilty” verdict that allows you to move on with your life.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a DUI charge, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
Thomas Glasgow has lectured statewide on DUI practice and law for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He is recognized as an authority in this area of law, and in addition to lecturing, he also writes for the statewide DUI manual. When you need an attorney, experience matters.
Speak with our DUI defense attorneys in Chicago today to learn how our experience can get
the results you deserve.