Road accidents due to drunk-driving are completely preventable. Police officers have the right to pull you over for a suspicion of DUI in the state of Illinois. This course will prevent the occurrence of severe road misfortune. Once you are arrested, you will have to submit yourself for a blood alcohol content (BAC) test to determine the level of alcohol you have in your system wherein the legal limit is .08%. Besides the BAC level, you can also be arrested for DUI if you are seen sitting in the driver’s seat with too much alcohol in your system, even if the car is immobile.
DUI Arrests in Illinois
Most states have strengthened their DUI laws to include severe charges. A DUI offense in Illinois can trigger two cases: one in the court system and another with the DMV. To save your right to drive, you should immediately request a DMV hearing after your arrest. It is very crucial in this stage that you consult a competent lawyer to represent your case on your behalf. Otherwise you are taking the risk of losing your license without the chance to appeal for a DMV hearing. Moreover, you should also take the initiative to undergo a BAC test following your arrest otherwise you will be sentenced with tougher charges.
Basic Consequences for First Time Offenders
A first-time DUI offender in the state of Illinois is typically charged with the following penalties and punishments:
The least severe DUI in Illinois is charged as a Class A misdemeanor. However, if someone is injured due to drunk-driving, the charges are deemed to shift to a felony. Habitual offenders could also receive tougher penalties and punishments.
License Suspensions for Illinois DUI
If you are facing charges of DUI in the state of Illinois, the authorities have the right to revoke your license to drive in the following manner:
Once you are arrested, the arresting officer will take your actual license and replace it with a 45-day temporary license. Counting 46 days from the time of arrest, the three-month suspension for first time offenders begins. To enable you to drive to and from work or school while serving your suspension, you need to consult a qualified DUI lawyer to help you get a Judicial Driving Permit.
Insurance Consequences
Apart from losing your license for a DUI conviction, you will also have to face severe consequences with your insurance company. The provider may either drop your coverage, or increase your premiums drastically. If you are dropped, you need to find another company that can offer you the best coverage so you could regain your right to drive at the end of your license suspension.