Penalties for DUI Charge in Chicago, IL
If you are caught for drunk driving in Chicago, IL, you could face various penalties. It is important that you are aware of DUI laws in Chicago so that you know how your DUI attorney will be able to help you.
In Chicago, you could be charged for drinking under influence if your blood alcohol content or BAC is 0.08 or above. This automatically implies that you could be arrested for DUI by the officer in charge and face penalties.
Penalties for DUI if you are under the age of 21
The laws in Chicago maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards people who are under the age of 21 and caught for DUI. Considering that, you could be arrested immediately if you fall in this category. The severity of the penalties that you could face is directly proportional to the number of times you have been caught for DUI.
Penalties for a first-time DUI
For first time offenders in Chicago, IL, DUI penalties can include up to one year in jail and license suspension of at least one year. Fines up to $2,500 may also be charged depending upon the seriousness of the crime and what reason you have been arrested for.
Reasons for arrest for DUI include instances of traffic violation, suspicious or erratic driving and entering a sobriety checkpoint zone. Officers pull over drivers on a random basis to a predetermined location to check if they have been driving under influence.
Penalties for a second DUI offense
If you have been arrested for DUI in Chicago, IL for a second time, the penalties could include five days to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500. The license suspension, in this case, could go up to a minimum of 5 years.
Penalties for a third DUI offense
A third DUI offense will be regarded as a class 2 felony. If you find yourself being arrested for drunk drinking a third time, the punishment will mean 3 to 7 years in prison and fines of up to $2,500. In addition, your license is suspended for a minimum of 10 years.
Additional penalties for DUI in Chicago
There could be penalties that you could face in addition to the above mentioned penalties in certain situations. If there is a child under the age of 16 in your vehicle when you are arrested for DUI, the fine you need to pay may go up to $3,500.
Also, if your BAC is 0.16 or higher, you can end up facing additional penalties and conviction becomes an almost definite possibility.
Why it is important to hire an attorney to handle your DUI case in Chicago, IL?
It becomes immensely important that you hire a good attorney to handle your case if you are facing arrest for DUI. Before you speak to anyone, you must speak to your attorney who will be able to guide you appropriately. The penalties for drunk driving can be quite severe and affect your personal and professional lives immensely. Hence it becomes quite imperative that you hire an attorney at the earliest.
If you or a loved one have been arrested for a DUI, call the Law Office of Robert Kerr, LLC for help. We offer free initial consultations, and will provide you the strongest defense possible.
By Robert Kerr
