The state of Illinois takes a very tough stance when it comes to Driving Under the Influence (DUI), whether the substance is alcohol or drugs. Even if you are being charged with your first DUI and you have never had any legal trouble at all, you can still expect some pretty serious potential fines and penalties if you are convicted. This is why having a DUI Attorney in Geneva IL is so important. If you are not guilty of the DUI you can get your attorney’s help in proving that, and in getting the “Not Guilty” verdict you need. This article will talk about the basics of DUI law in the state of Illinois and will also discuss how a skilled DUI attorney can help you to navigate the court system when you are facing DUI charges.
According to Illinois state law, you are officially driving under the influence if you have a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or greater. This is the amount that officially renders you too intoxicated to safely operate a vehicle in Illinois. While .08 percent is the limit that would generate DUI charges automatically, if you have blood alcohol concentration of between .05 and .08 percent there is still a potential for a DUI charge depending upon the arresting officer’s judgment of whether your behavior suggests impairment. If you received a DUI and your blood alcohol content was below the legal limit your case may be especially strong, and an experienced DUI lawyer such as Cosentino Law Firm, LLC can work for a not guilty verdict or to get the charges dismissed.
The penalties for DUI in Illinois include an automatic driver’s license suspension. You will be able to keep driving with the use of a paper receipt the arresting officer issues, but this is good for only 45 days. Your driver’s license suspension will then officially begin. You can have a license suspension for as long as a year, depending upon the circumstances and whether or not you refused testing. Additionally, you will be subject to fines and may have to attend treatment programs even for a first offense. Hiring a DUI Attorney in Geneva IL will help you minimize the damage of the DUI as much as possible, so it is well worth making the call to a lawyer focusing on DUI today.
