Just imagine the following: your friend is hosting a Christmas Eve party at their home, and you are having an absolutely fantastic night.
Right at the time it reaches 1 o’clock in the morning, you decide to head back home. You hop in your car and head to Highland Park.
No more than ten minutes into the drive, a police car pulls up behind you. For a moment, nothing happens. And then, the police car signals for you to pull over.
You pull over and speak with the officer. The officer asks you to take a blood alcohol test. You consent to doing so, but, unfortunately, you fail the test. As a result, you are charged with a DUI.
Going over three long-term penalties of a Christmas DUI, and talking with an experienced Chicago DUI attorney, will help you obtain the legal outcome you deserve.
Penalty 01: A One-Year License Suspension
If you are convicted of a DUI in the state of Illinois, your license will be suspended for at least one year. This means you will not be able to drive your car for at least one year. Doing so can lead to serious consequences.
Many people rely on their vehicles. And, if you are one of those people, you may not be able to get to work. Or, for that matter, to go to the grocery store, pick up your kids from school, or travel with any measure of ease.
If you have been convicted of a DUI in the past, your license will be suspended for five years. Two DUI convictions will result in your license being suspended for 10 years.
Penalty 02: A Criminal Record
The state of Illinois takes driving while under the influence very seriously. You will have a criminal record if convicted of a DUI.
A criminal record can jeopardize your security clearance, if you have one. It can also lead to you being removed from certain roles, such as being a police officer or working in any kind of law enforcement role.
On top of that, a criminal record can make it harder for you to gain access to certain types of housing, obtain certain jobs, and get custody of your kids.
Penalty 03: Jail Time
You can spend time in jail if convicted of a DUI. And, if you have been convicted of a DUI in the past, or your case comes with aggravating factors, you could be forced to spend time in prison.
Jail is difficult, traumatic, and painful. On top of that, being forced to spend time in jail can lead to you losing your job, losing custody of your children, and being unable to take care of your obligations.
Just as an example, if your job has little tolerance for leave, and you are forced to spend a month in jail, you might lose that job. And, getting another one with the same pay/benefits might be difficult, due to your criminal record.
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 team today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.