Imagine this: it’s Memorial Day, and you are leaving a party that your friends were hosting. Just like everyone else, you had a few drinks.
Right before you reach your home in Palatine, you and another car collide. Unfortunately, a person appears to have died as a result of this collision.
You are arrested and then charged with a number of different crimes. Every single one of these charges, if it leads to a conviction, will destroy the success, wealth, and security that you have built.
Going over what it means to be charged with a DUI that led to someone’s death, or significant bodily damage, and speaking with a Schaumburg DUI defense attorney, will allow you to protect your innocence.
What is A DUI?
The term “DUI” stands for “driving under the influence.” The “influence” part refers to controlled substances that you are not, legally, allowed to be influenced by while driving your vehicle.
As an example, if someone has had six beers and these beers are affecting their ability to drive properly, then this person can be pulled over and then charged with a DUI in Illinois.
Every DUI charge is dependent on the facts of the case. No matter the exact DUI charge you find yourself faced with, though, the consequences are severe.
What Is A DUI That Leads To A Death?
If a person is driving while under the influence of alcohol and, as a result of this, they hit someone, they can be charged with a crime.
On the other hand, if the person within our example hits someone and, in doing so, they kill the individual that they hit, or cause them significant bodily harm, they can be charged with a crime that is even more serious.
The crime that the person within our example can be charged with is as follows: aggravated DUI, with, depending on the facts of the case, death or great bodily harm.
Someone convicted of an aggravated DUI that caused significant bodily harm can be given a prison sentence of no more than twelve years. This sentence can, and often does, come with other penalties.
If someone is convicted of an aggravated DUI that led to the death of at least one person, they can be given a prison sentence of no more than fourteen years. This number does go up, though, if more people were killed.
How Can You Defend Yourself From An Aggravated DUI Charge?
The best way to defend yourself from an aggravated DUI charge is to speak with an attorney.
A good attorney will look at your case and, right after assessing the facts that underlie it, help you develop an effective defense that protects your innocence.
The exact defense your attorney employs is dependent on the facts of your case. And, with that fact in mind, some of the most useful defenses that can be employed are as follows:
- Demonstrating that your actions did not, in fact, cause the significant bodily harm or death that a person experienced.
- Proving that the arresting officer made significant errors when arresting and then charging you, thereby making the case far less sturdy than it may have been.
- Showing that you were not, in fact, under the influence of any substance and that the alleged “proof” is flawed/wrong, in one way or another.
All of the above can be used to protect your innocence from the consequences of an aggravated DUI charge.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a DUI charge, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
When you need an attorney, experience matters.
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.
Speak with a seasoned Chicago DUI defense attorney today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.