DUI

What are the penalties for a second DUI offense in Illinois?

August 23, 2021
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A second offense for DUI in Illinois results in serious penalties including driver’s license revocation, jail for transportation a minor child, and felony charges for certain conditions.

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What is aggravated DUI in Illinois?

August 6, 2021
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NOTE: The page below was updated to account for passage of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (Public Act 101-0027) on January 1, 2020. After that date, Illinois legalized cannabis for recreational possession and use. Even still, it remains illegal to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis. Generally speaking, an arrest for driving […]

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Truth-in-sentencing: defendants must serve more than 50% of the sentence imposed

July 1, 2021
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NOTE: The article below includes updated material to explore how Public Act 101-440 impacted truth-in-sentencing laws in Illinois. After an effective date of January 1, 2020, this Act opened a new avenue to sentence credit for eligible inmates. Defendants in felony cases are subject to special rules for their criminal sentence. Compared to misdemeanor sentencing, […]

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What will the sentence be for an Illinois DUI that is reduced to reckless driving?

May 11, 2020
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NOTE: The following content was refreshed to demonstrate 2020 changes to Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-027. On the first day of the year, this Act officially legalized the use and possession of marijuana for recreational use and updated intoxication standards accordingly. Defendants who are charged with driving under the influence (DUI) under […]

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I got a DUI in Illinois and my license is suspended. Can I get a permit to drive during the suspension?

February 21, 2020
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Illinois law allows DUI offenders to obtain a permit to drive during the summary suspension of their driver’s licenses with a BAIID device.

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Fatal Accident: A Review of Reckless Homicide Charges and Penalties

February 3, 2020
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NOTE: This article was updated to reflect 2020 changes in Illinois law with passage of Public Act 101-173. These changes became effective on January 1st, adjusting the Illinois statutes governing reckless homicide charges and Scott’s Law violations. The courts treat most accidents as a matter of negligence. The person who is responsible for the accident […]

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A Look at 625 ILCS 5/11-501: What is the Illinois Difference Between DUI & Aggravated DUI?

September 25, 2019
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In order to preserve safe roadways for all drivers, the State of Illinois prohibits any person from driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Contrary to popular belief, this applies even to being under the influence of legal or prescribed drugs. Any driver who violates these regulations can face criminal charges for DUI […]

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New seat belt law in Illinois could increase profiling in traffic stops

February 9, 2012
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Illinois lawmakers made a significant change to the vehicle code that is effective in 2012. Starting January 1, 2012, anyone who drives or rides in a motor vehicle in the state of Illinois will be required to wear a seat belt. This was not always the law. Prior to 2012, a backseat passenger in Illinois […]

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The police officer had me stand on one leg and count to 30. Did I pass this sobriety test?

August 1, 2010
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One of the field sobriety tests most commonly utilized by law enforcement in DUI investigations is the one-leg stand. This sobriety test was approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as accurate and reliable in detecting drivers who are intoxicated on alcohol or drugs. The one-leg stand, also called one-legged stand or OLS, […]

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New Illinois Supreme Court ruling limits use of field sobriety test

July 24, 2010
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The Supreme Court of the state of Illinois issued a new ruling in 2010 concerning the use of the horizontal gaze nystagmus test (HGN). During an arrest for DUI, the police officer will ask the driver to stand still and follow a pen with his eyes, and keep his head motionless. The HGN test is […]

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