Just imagine the following: you are enjoying an enjoyable Halloween party at your close friend’s home. And, right around two o’clock in the morning, you get in your car to drive off.
You are just about to reach your home in Highland Park when, out of nowhere, a police car pulls up right behind you. The police car follows you for no more than a minute, before forcing you to pull over.
Right after you pull over, the officer speaks with you. No more than a few minutes later, you are charged with driving under the influence.
Going over the consequences of a Halloween DUI, and speaking with our Chicago DUI defense team, will help you protect the life you have built.
What Happens When You Get A DUI?
Penalties for an Illinois DUI can result in the following outcomes:
- You may be forced to spend up to one year in jail.
- You may be forced to pay a fine of up to $2,500.
- You will have your license suspended for at least one year.
Every single one of these consequences is devastating. If you have been convicted of a DUI in the past, you:
- May be forced to spend at least five days in jail.
- Might have to perform 240 hours of community service, as an alternative to jail.
- Must relinquish your driving privileges for at least five years.
These consequences are also devastating. And, if you have been convicted of two DUIs in the past, you will:
- Be forced to spend at least ten days in jail or perform 480 hours of community service.
- Lose your license for at least ten years.
Each one of these consequences will make your life far worse.
How Will These Consequences Affect You?
You will be unable to drive if convicted of a DUI. This can make it harder for you to get to work, take your kids to school, go shopping; among many other activities.
On top of that, a DUI can lead to jail time. You could be fired as a result of this, if your job does not want to give you this time.
Even if you do not lose your job – or spend any time in jail – a DUI is a serious criminal act. A record of this act will be accessible for quite some time, which means that you may be ineligible for certain positions due to this DUI.
What Should You Do?
The answer to this question is twofold: you should avoid getting a DUI but, if you already have one, you must work with an experienced DUI defense attorney.
To avoid getting a DUI, you can do the following:
- Stay at a hotel you can walk to or a nearby friend’s home.
- Get an “Uber” or “Lyft” vehicle to take you home.
- Use public transportation to get home.
- Walk home, if you can do so.
- Call a taxi company and have them take you back home.
The above will help you avoid a DUI.
In the event that you already have a DUI, you must work with an attorney. Doing so will help protect you from the consequences of a DUI and, in turn, the very unpleasant life changes these consequences will create.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
When facing a DUI charge, the quality of your legal representation can shape the course of your life. At Glasgow & Olsson, we don’t just practice DUI defense—we help define it.
Thomas Glasgow is widely recognized as a leading authority on DUI law in Illinois. He lectures statewide for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, contributes to the definitive DUI legal manual used by attorneys across the state, and is a trusted legal voice on major networks including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, experience, judgment, and respect matter most.
Speak with our Chicago DUI defense attorney today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.