You are watching the Final Four of March Madness with some of your closest friends. And, while doing so, you enjoy some great food, as well as a few drinks.
Right after the game ends, you head out to your car. You begin driving back to your home in Schaumburg before you can get very far, though a police car forces you to pull over.
The police officer is cordial and asks you to take a breath alcohol test. You agree to do so and, unfortunately, learn that your blood alcohol level is just over .08%. This leads to you being charged with a DUI.
Going over why it is very important that you do not get a DUI during the Final Four of March Madness, and speaking with an experienced Chicago DUI defense attorney, will help you obtain the legal outcome you deserve.
What Happens If You Are Convicted Of A DUI?
If you are convicted of a DUI in Illinois, you can be hit with the following penalties:
- You may be forced to spend up to one year in jail.
- You will have your license revoked for a period of at least one year.
- You may need to pay a fine of $2,500.
None of these are pleasant. And every single one of these can be absolutely devastating.
Outside of the penalties that have already been clarified, if you have already been convicted of one DUI, these penalties will become even more severe. This means you may have your license revoked even longer, for example.
Why Is A DUI Conviction So Devastating?
The answer to the question outlined above is as follows: an Illinois DUI conviction will prevent you from driving for a long period of time.
If you rely on your vehicle to get to work, you will have a harder time doing so. If you drive for your job, you may lose your job, which can create serious financial difficulties for you.
Outside of losing your ability to drive, a DUI can lead to a period in jail. During this time, you will be separated from your job, your friends, and your loved ones. Before you choose to drive under the influence, consider what impact being separated from your job, your friends, your home, and your significant other will have on your life. Which ones will still be there when you get out, and even more importantly, which ones won’t. This can be quite traumatic, and depending on the length of time you are in jail, you may lose everything as a result.
Depending on the facts that underlie your DUI conviction, you may also need to pay a major fine as restitution for driving while under the influence.
The above can lead to serious difficulties that you may have a very difficult time recovering from. As such, it is of the utmost importance that you do your best to avoid a DUI conviction.
What Should You Do If You Are Charged With A DUI?
In the event that you are charged with a DUI, you must contact an attorney who can help you. When you contact this attorney, answer every question they ask you.
Even the most seemingly mundane moments that led up to your DUI charge can be used to help you obtain the verdict you are looking for.
Just as an example, if the officer administering your blood alcohol test made a small mistake, this can put the results of said test in question. You can also use this to get your case thrown out entirely, among other possibilities.
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. Due to his expertise, Attorney Glasgow is regularly featured on popular radio and news outlets, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
When you need an attorney, experience matters.
Speak with our DUI defense attorneys in Chicago today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.