Posted on April 13, 2020 in DUI

Here in the state of Illinois, law enforcement officials are constantly on the lookout for impaired drivers. Recognizing the fact that drunk drivers cause approximately 30% of all nationwide traffic fatalities, and over 10,000 each year, it should come as no surprise that police officers do everything in their power to prevent inebriated driving. According to the Secretary of State’s office, more than 29,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, throughout 2018 alone. While the sheer number of DUI arrests could indicate that a DUI conviction comes with limited legal ramifications, this could not be further from the truth. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is time to speak with a lawyer.

The Legal Consequences of a DUI

The first thing to understand about the consequences of a DUI conviction is that the charge will go on your permanent record and cannot be expunged. In other words, the conviction will impact your ability to secure employment, loan opportunities, and housing for the rest of your life. A first-time DUI offender will be charged with a Class A misdemeanor if convicted. Along with having a misdemeanor charge on their permanent record, the offender can also face up to one year in prison, and fines as high as $2,500.

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 Posted on March 31, 2020 in DUI

In the state of Illinois, a DUI conviction can come with serious legal consequences. Even a first-time DUI offender will face Class A misdemeanor charges and a minimum revocation of driving privileges for one year. While it is always wise to comply with the requests of the officer and remain composed, it is also important to understand that refusing a breathalyzer test is not a criminal offense. Below we will discuss some of the reasons why you could consider refusing testing during a DUI traffic stop. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, seek out the guidance of a knowledgeable attorney.

The Consequences

While refusing to take part in a breathalyzer test is not a criminal offense, it is an administrative offense. In other words, because driving is a privilege and not a right, you provide implied consent to submit to a breathalyzer test if requested by law enforcement officials, the moment you become a licensed driver in the state of Illinois. Because of this, refusal to submit to testing will result in a 12-month suspension of driving privileges. A driver that refuses testing will likely be eligible to continue driving with a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP). A second refusal will result in another suspension, this time for a three year period. A two-time offender will be deemed ineligible for an MDDP.

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 Posted on March 13, 2020 in Traffic Violations

Every single day, hundreds of Illinoisans are ticketed for violating the state’s speed limits. With the sheer number of speeding tickets handed out by law enforcement officials each and every day, many people believe that a speeding violation is not a big deal. In all reality, a speeding violation can result in points against you on your license, and in some cases an automatic suspension or even a criminal charge. If you have received a speeding ticket, it is time to seek out an attorney that will fight for you.

The Impact of a Speeding Ticket

In the state of Illinois, even the most minor of speeding tickets will result in points against your driving record. If you are ticketed for driving less than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, you will still receive five points against your driving record. As your speeds rise, so does the severity of the ticket. If you receive an aggravated speeding ticket (driving at speeds 26 miles per hour or higher than the legal speed limit), you will be facing misdemeanor charges, possible fines, and potential jail time.

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 Posted on February 28, 2020 in Traffic Violations

Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) are not easy to come by. Drivers must pass a federal background check, submit medical forms, and pass state sanctioned skill and knowledge tests prior to obtaining their CDL. Keeping a CDL for a long period of time can be even more challenging, due to the strict punishments handed down for a CDL violation. Every single year upwards of 70,000 commercial truck drivers are charged with speeding alone, even a violation such as speeding can result in a CDL disqualification. In some cases though, a CDL violation is the fault of the employer. If you have been charged with a CDL violation, seek out legal assistance.

Employer Oversight Resulting in a Violation

There are a number of CDL violations that are solely the fault of the vehicle operator. A driver’s CDL can be disqualified for reckless driving, operating a commercial motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content over 0.04, and aggravated speeding. In other instances, a driver can receive a CDL violation due to employer oversight.

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 Posted on February 19, 2020 in DUI

Every year, thousands of drivers are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state of Illinois. While many offenders will simply plead guilty for a DUI charge, especially their first charge, a DUI conviction can come with serious legal ramifications and potential changes to your lifestyle. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is important to contact a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible.

The Ramifications of a Conviction

In the state of Illinois, DUI charges are taken very seriously. A first-time DUI conviction constitutes a Class A misdemeanor charge and can lead to fines as high as $2,500 and even potential jail time. In all reality though, the true impact of a DUI conviction can go far beyond a mark on your criminal record.

Loss of Driving Privileges: First and foremost a DUI conviction will impact your ability to operate a motor vehicle in Illinois. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, a first time DUI conviction will automatically lead to a one-year license revocation period. In other words, the driver’s driving privileges will be revoked for a minimum of one year. It should be noted that drivers under the age of 21 will face a two year revocation period for their first DUI conviction. Drivers are eligible to register for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP), but must pay for the installation and tracking of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID).

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 Posted on January 26, 2020 in Traffic Violations

In the state of Illinois, law enforcement officials are always on the lookout for drivers failing to adhere to the state’s driving laws. People are pulled over every day for minor offenses such as failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign or driving over the speed limit. In the vast majority of instances, the driver will only receive a ticket for a violation and amass points against their driving record. While three minor traffic violations in one year can result in a license suspension, there are some offenses that come with more significant ramifications. A reckless driving charge is one of the most serious violations in Illinois.

What is Reckless Driving?

Illinois law defines reckless driving as the operation of a vehicle with willful disregard for safety and property. The most common forms of reckless driving include driving at speeds of 25 miles per hour or more over the legal speed limit, aggressively tailgating other drivers, illegally passing vehicles, and disregarding traffic signs. Drivers can also be charged with reckless driving if they attempt to use an incline in the roadway to cause the vehicle to become airborne. It should be noted that there are a number of factors that will ultimately dictate whether a driver is likely to be charged with reckless driving. These factors include the time of day, the driver’s intent, weather conditions, and the presence of other vehicles.

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 Posted on January 13, 2020 in Criminal Defense

When Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed a bill in June of 2019, to make marijuana legal, Illinois became the eleventh state in the United States to legalize recreational marijuana use. The new law officially came into effect on January 1, 2020. Last week, thousands of Illinoisans flocked to cannabis stores to legally purchase marijuana for the first time in Illinois. When some people hear the word legal, they immediately think that means no limits. In all reality, Illinois’ new law comes with a number of restrictions and guidelines. If you are facing drug charges, it is time to speak with a skilled legal professional.

Restrictions to the Marijuana Law

First and foremost, while Illinois’ new marijuana law legalizes recreational marijuana use, it does not legalize it for everyone. Much like with the consumption of alcohol, minors under the age of 21 caught using marijuana will likely face criminal charges. It is also important to note that legal does not mean anywhere. You are legally allowed to smoke marijuana in a private residence or in an established smoke area (in a private establishment). Any private business owner can prohibit the use of marijuana on their property. Marijuana use is also prohibited in motor vehicles, in public parks, and in the presence of a minor.

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 Posted on December 30, 2019 in DUI

Every year, thousands of people are arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, throughout the state of Illinois. According to Illinois state law, a first-time DUI conviction constitutes a Class A Misdemeanor. Along with the criminal charge, a conviction will likely lead to significant fines and serious rises in insurance rates. Recognizing this, all DUI charges should be taken seriously, but some can come with harsher criminal punishment. If you have been charged with an aggravated DUI, it is time to seek out the help of a trained legal professional.

What Is an Aggravated DUI?

An aggravated DUI is a DUI charge that is elevated in severity due to the presence of any number of aggravating factors. These aggravating factors can include being charged with a DUI in which severe bodily harm was caused, the DUI was committed without a proper driver’s license or a DUI charge in which the offender had previously been convicted of a DUI.

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 Posted on December 17, 2019 in Traffic Violations

Commercial truck drivers are held to incredibly high standards. Every single action they take is heavily monitored and scrutinized, and for good reason. Considering the size and braking capabilities of the vast majority of commercial trucks, ensuring the safety of other travelers can only be possible through the strict enforcement of regulatory standards. A CDL violation can come with life-changing ramifications. If you have been charged with a CDL violation, it is time to seek out the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney.

The Implications of a CDL Violation

CDL violations can come in any number of forms. A violation can be strictly centered around driver error, such as a speeding citation, erratic lane changing, or following another vehicle too closely. In other instances, a violation can come from a driver violating their contract and using drugs or alcohol while on the job. Some of the most common violations have nothing to do with the driver themselves and are caused by negligence on the part of the trucking company. These violations can include falsification of driving log hours or operating an overweight cargo. Regardless of the type of violation, it is time for you to react.

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 Posted on November 29, 2019 in Criminal Defense

Here in the state of Illinois, severity of drug possession charges can depend on a number of criteria. Much like in many other states, the severity of potential criminal charges will mostly depend on the amount of narcotics and the type of substance. Recognizing the fact that Illinois is facing major issues involving drug use and drug-related fatalities, the state decided to establish the Illinois Controlled Substances Act designed to criminalize possession and intent to distribute certain controlled substances. Below we will discuss how a drug possession charge can impact you, and how you should react if you have been charged with drug possession.

Drug Possession in Illinois

A lot has changed in the past year, as it pertains to drug possession law in the state of Illinois. The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act will go into effect in January, changing how law enforcement officials will regulate the recreational use of marijuana. With the passing of the new law, a person will now be able to legally possess up to 30 grams of marijuana. If a person is apprehended with anywhere from 30 to 100 grams, they will face misdemeanor charges, up to one year in prison, and fines as high as $2,500.

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