Lombard DUI Attorney

DUI Attorneys Serving Clients in DuPage County and Surrounding Cities

Despite harsh penalties set forth by laws throughout the United States, driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs remains one of the most common criminal charges. Illinois law sets a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 percent as the level at which all motorists are deemed too impaired to drive. Any person who drives a motor vehicle in Illinois with a BAC of .08 or more risks a DUI charge if stopped by a law enforcement officer.

Even though the legal limit of alcohol concentration in the blood is .08 percent in Illinois, there are some situations where you may be charged and convicted of a DUI even if you had a blood alcohol content of less than .08 percent. If you had a BAC of .16 percent or more, additional penalties may apply, even on a first offense.

At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, our attorneys will fight hard to defend you and your driver's license. We will take the time to investigate every aspect of your case, including whether the police had a valid reason to stop you, whether the field sobriety tests were properly administered, and whether the chemical test results were accurate. If we find that your rights were violated at any stage of the process, we will work tirelessly to have the charges against you dismissed.

Consequences of DUI/DWI Conviction

A DUI conviction will result in stiff penalties, and it may have long-term ramifications, including:

• Fines and court costs;
• Suspension or revocation of your driver's license;
• A mandatory jail sentence in some situations;
• The use of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles you drive, which is now required for first-time DUI convictions;
• Alcohol abuse assessment and treatment;
• A permanent criminal record;
• Increased Insurance premiums;
• Cancelatioi of insurance;
• Mandatory alcohol safety school;
• The potential loss of your job or professional license; and
• A requirement to perform community service.

Whether a DUI charge is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor will depend on whether you have had previous convictions and whether other factors are involved, such as if your actions endangered a child or caused serious injury or death. Multiple DUI convictions can severely impair your future, but our attorneys can help defend your rights.

Underage Drinking and Driving

The state has a zero tolerance law, which means that anyone under 21 years of age who has drunk any amount of detectable alcohol in their system is driving illegally. There are stiff penalties for a first conviction and more severe punishments for subsequent offenses. The first underage DUI conviction may result in:

• Loss of full driving privileges for a minimum of two years;
• Possible imprisonment for up to one year; and
• Maximum fine of $2,500.

A DUI Charge Results in Two Cases

When you are arrested for drunk driving, you will have to deal with two separate cases. One is criminal and the other, a civil law matter, is administrative in nature and relates to your driver's license and driving record.

• Criminal DUI Case: Because criminal law governs the charges you face following a DUI arrest, you will usually be required to appear in court for arraignment, trial, or negotiated disposition and sentencing. The court determines a jail sentence, fines, and other penalties, such as alcohol education classes, participation in treatment for alcohol addiction, or community service.
• Administrative Hearing: The second aspect of your DUI charge is an Illinois Secretary of State driver's license hearing. If you fail a chemical blood alcohol test after being arrested, or if you refuse to submit to BAC testing, your driver's license will be automatically suspended. If you wish to contest this suspension, you may request a hearing with the Secretary of State.

Contact Our Lombard DUI Defense Attorneys

If you are arrested for drunk driving in Illinois, it is essential to have an experienced DUI lawyer to protect your rights, explain the charges and consequences you face, and help you obtain the best possible outcome. At Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices, our attorneys regularly defend clients facing DUI charges in Lombard, Bloomingdale, Naperville, and the greater Chicago metro area. Our lawyers have extensive DUI defense experience, which gives us an in-depth understanding of the scientific procedures involved in breathalyzer, blood, and other tests, as well as other issues that may affect the outcome of a case. We are prepared to question the tests' reliability, accuracy, and validity, and are committed to protecting your legal rights. Our law firm offers an initial consultation at no charge to you. Contact us online or call 630-932-9100 to learn how we can help make a difference in the outcome of your case.