How to Regain Driving Privileges After an Illinois DUI

After a conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs in Illinois, there is a mandatory period of driver’s license suspension. In the most severe cases, the DUI offender can even have his or her driving privileges revoked indefinitely.

In order to regain driving privileges in Illinois, which is referred to legally as reinstatement, the DUI offender must complete a series of requirements. In general terms, driver’s license reinstatement in Illinois involves the following four steps.

Attend Initial Consultation

The first step toward reinstatement is the initial consultation. This meeting takes place between the DUI offender and an informal hearing officer. The hearing officer reviews the DUI offender’s case file and driving record. Then the hearing officer details all of the documents and requirements necessary for reinstatement.

Satisfy Alcohol and Drug Requirements

For DUI offenders with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, Illinois mandates certain alcohol and [...]

Written by on March 15, 2019

What is the Timeline of a DUI Arrest in Illinois?

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is one of the most common criminal offenses in Illinois. Despite the risk of property damage, personal injury, and even death, DUI accidents and arrests still occur regularly throughout Illinois. Although each DUI case is completely unique, there is commonly a three-step timeline for most DUI arrests in Illinois.

Traffic Stop

The first step in a DUI arrest is a traffic stop. In most DUI cases, the police officer observes erratic or unsafe driving and stops the driver to investigate. That being said, an officer may stop a driver for any traffic violation.

After executing a traffic stop, the police officer will ask the driver for:

    Driver’s license or permit; Vehicle registration paperwork; and Proof of automotive insurance.

While interacting with the driver, the police officer will also look for signs of intoxication, including but not limited to bloodshot eyes, dilated [...]

Written by on February 15, 2019

The Zero Tolerance Law for Underage Drinking in Illinois

To prevent underage minors from driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, Illinois has a zero tolerance law for such behavior. Stated otherwise, underage drivers are not allowed to register any amount of alcohol in their system. Otherwise, they may face criminal penalties, including but not limited to mandatory suspension of driving privileges.

What is the Zero Tolerance Law for Drunk Driving?

There is a strict standard for underage drinking and driving under Illinois state law. Until a driver turns 21, he or she is not allowed to register any alcohol as a result of a DUI test. If the driver registers a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.00, it qualifies as a violation of this Illinois state law.

If an underage driver violates the zero tolerance law for drunk driving, he or she may face the following criminal penalties:

    First Offense: The underage driver will face driver’s
[...]

Written by on January 25, 2019

Aggravated Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Illinois

Although driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is a dangerous activity in every circumstance, certain situations are more extreme than others. When a driver exhibits such reckless behavior, he or she could face criminal charges for aggravated DUI.

For readers interested in reviewing Illinois laws and penalties for standard DUIs, please do not hesitate to check out this recent blog post from The Prior Law Firm — How Does Illinois Define and Penalize Driving Under the Influence?

Circling back to the subject of aggravated DUI, the following sections will provide an overview of important definitions and penalties under Illinois law.

What is the Illinois Definition of Aggravated DUI?

The Illinois definition of aggravated DUI appears in 625 ILCS 5/11-501. The aggravated version of this offense applies when a driver commits a DUI under specific circumstances. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-501, a regular DUI becomes an aggravated [...]

Written by on December 14, 2018