Should I Get a Lawyer for a DUI in Illinois?
Posted on behalf of Donahue & Walsh, P.C. | October 4, 2023
DUI, or driving under the influence, is a severe criminal offense in Illinois. If the state prosecutor or district attorney handling your case obtains a conviction against you, the chances are that you will be looking at severe penalties – including a potential driver’s license suspension.
After a police officer arrests you for DUI, you typically have an initial court appearance during which you will receive a trial date. While some matters proceed to trial, the majority resolve through a plea deal. Given the potential penalties upon conviction, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney in Illinois to represent you at every stage of the proceedings.
The DUI lawyers at Donahue & Walsh, P.C. will aggressively advocate for your legal interests and help you pursue the best possible result in your criminal case.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced Illinois criminal defense attorney, please call us at 815-458-5934 or contact us online for more information.
Penalties for a DUI in Illinois
If the prosecuting attorney in your case can satisfy their legal burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, it will be up to a judge to impose penalties against you. Judges have broad discretion when imposing penalties in a DUI case. In many instances, the fines will depend upon your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of your arrest and the number of prior DUI convictions (if any) on your record. Potential penalties may include:
• Jail time
• Community service
• Monetary fines
• Probation
• Required drug and alcohol rehabilitation
• Mandatory installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle
You might also face several collateral consequences due to your criminal record. Those consequences can include:
• Denial of admission to a college or university
• Loss of scholarship funds or financial aid
• Damage to your personal or professional reputation in the community
• Loss of a driver’s license
Benefits of Hiring a DUI Lawyer in Illinois
One of the most important steps following a DUI arrest is to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you as quickly as possible.
Our legal team can represent you during plea deal negotiations with prosecutors and pursue a deal – such as a charge reduction or a probation period – favorable to you. For example, we might convince the state prosecutor to reduce your pending charge from DUI to reckless driving. We can also represent you at a DMV hearing and help you appeal a driver’s license suspension.
Consult an Experienced DUI Lawyer in Illinois
If you are currently pending a criminal DUI charge, you must immediately have skilled legal counsel in your corner. The Illinois DUI attorneys at Donahue & Walsh, P.C. can fight for your legal rights and help you pursue a favorable case outcome.
For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with a skilled Illinois criminal defense lawyer, please call us at 815-458-5934 or contact us online.
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