Even though Illinois tries to treat drinking as a health issue, there are still laws in place that will affect the rest of your life. For example, public intoxication is not illegal but it will draw more attention to you and if you get into a car this will be a major red flag for authorities. The BAC limit is 0.08 percent and can be considered aggravated with 0.16 percent. Believe it or not, it is not the end of the line when you are accused of a DUI. There are ways to beat such an accusation or charge and the DUI defense attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter know what it takes to do so. Contact our offices if you or someone you know is facing a DUI offense.
Illinois has laws that can make you lose your license even if you are not convicted of a DUI. this comes into effect if you refuse a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) test. If you refuse it the first time you may lose your license for an entire year and if you refuse it a second time you can lose your license for up to 3 years. First-time offenders have the option to apply for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) so they can continue to drive to work and other types of necessary destinations.
If you are convicted of a DUI there are many possible penalties including license suspension, vehicle confiscation, alcohol education and/or an ignition interlock device. You can think that having your vehicle confiscated is a bit extreme but Illinois uses this as a way to prevent further drunk driving incidents. If you do not have access to the car then how can you put anyone in danger? There are ways to prevent having your vehicle confiscated like requesting an interlock device. This device prevents an intoxicated driver from starting the car, so the car cannot be impounded if it cannot be used while impaired. Our criminal defense attorneys know this crucial piece of information and will use it to your advantage during legal proceedings.
Our Chicago DUI defense attorneys have the knowledge and experience to defend your case and place you in the best position to succeed. Every case is different and we use our vast knowledge of the law and of previous cases to determine the best approach to your circumstances. Sometimes officers will stop you for something else as a way to accuse you of driving under the influence. The smallest misstep by an officer can be beneficial to your case. Field sobriety tests are not as accurate as they pretend to be and officers rely heavily on these tests to make an arrest. The first step is to contact our offices and schedule an initial case evaluation. We will be able to determine if we are the best fit for you and your circumstances.