Naperville, Illinois DUI Defense Lawyer

Attorney Offering Affordable DUI Defense Representation For First-Time Offenders in DuPage and Kane County

Drunk driving is dangerous to everyone on the road, and in recent years alcohol has been a factor in more than 25 percent of fatal Illinois car accidents, resulting in hundreds of deaths. With good reason, driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious criminal offense in Illinois, but if you have been arrested under suspicion of DUI, you are entitled to representation from a defense attorney who can advocate for your fair treatment.

At the Legal-Ease Law Clinic, we focus on defending clients who have been arrested for DUI with no prior convictions. We believe in the importance of second chances, and we are committed to providing legal services at low rates so that our clients in DuPage County and the surrounding areas can afford an attorney regardless of their income level.

Understanding DUI Arrests in Illinois

In Illinois, a driver may be charged with driving under the influence if he or she is impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. Impairment can be determined through a chemical test registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more, or a THC/cannabis blood concentration of 5 nanograms per milliliter or more. Drivers may also be charged based on other evidence of impairment even with lower blood concentrations.

If a law enforcement officer has probable cause or reasonable suspicion that you are driving under the influence, the officer may stop your vehicle and ask you to submit to a field sobriety test and a blood, breath, or urine test. You have the right to refuse a chemical test, but doing so will likely result in an automatic statutory summary suspension of your driver's license for up to 12 months if you are a first-time offender. Failing a chemical test as a first-time offender typically results in a suspension of up to six months. If you are arrested and charged with DUI, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible so we can start preparing for your defense at your court hearing.

DUI Defense for First-Time Offenders in DuPage County

If you are convicted of DUI for the first time, and there are no aggravating factors, such as the injury or death of another person or the presence of a passenger under the age of 16, you can face penalties for a Class A misdemeanor, including:

• Imprisonment of up to one year
• Fines of up to $2,500
• Revocation of your driver's license for up to one year

However, an experienced defense attorney may be able to help you argue for the dismissal of the charges on the grounds that the law enforcement officer did not have probable cause to pull you over or that the testing and evidence used to establish your impairment is not reliable. For first-time offenders, we can also often negotiate for reduced charges or sentencing through a plea deal, perhaps in exchange for a commitment to complete community service or a drug or alcohol education program.

If your license is suspended or revoked, we can help you obtain a Monitoring Device Driving Permit or a Restricted Driving Permit, which allow you to continue driving under certain circumstances, usually with the installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) that prevents you from operating your vehicle while impaired. We can also help you follow the necessary procedures to have your driver's license reinstated at the end of the suspension or revocation period.

Contact a Sugar Grove DUI Defense Lawyer

A lapse in judgment resulting in a DUI arrest does not have to ruin your life. We will bring our 10 years of legal experience to give you the best possible defense at a price that works for you. We strive to help you avoid unwarranted and excessive penalties for criminal misdemeanors and traffic violations, and to give you the opportunity to demonstrate that you have learned from your past. Contact us at 630-447-5733 to schedule a free consultation. We represent clients in Naperville, Sugar Grove, Yorkville, and throughout DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, and the surrounding areas.