How Long Will DUI Stay On My Record in Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

How come it showed no criminal record when I did a background check on myself? I have a DUI here in Mount Prospect, Illinois and I wanna know how long will that DUI stay on record.

Kaia

Mount Prospect, IL

In the state of Illinois, the IL Secretary of State (SOS) says that traffic offenses like disregarding a traffic control light, speeding, etc. stay on a driving record for four to five years starting on the date of conviction. If the infraction is for a suspension or revocation of the driver’s license, that will stay on the driving record for a minimum of seven years from the date of license reinstatement. For a DUI conviction, it will depend on the laws of each state if the violation will be considered as a criminal act or not. DUI offenses could a misdemeanor and some DUI offenses may be a felony.

In the state of Illinois, alcohol or drug-related crimes, such as your DUI in Illinois, stay on the driving record for life according to the SOS. If you’re looking into other records to check if you have a criminal record because of your DUI, you could check with the court to see how long these kinds of records would maintain information on your DUI conviction.

DUI Car Insurance in Illinois After Drunk Driving Conviction

Reader’s Question:

My cousin told me that he has a big problem about his car insurance rates because of his DUI conviction in Skokie, Illinois. Is it true that it will be largely affected because of his drunk driving conviction?

Malcolm

Skokie, IL

Your cousin’s drunk driving conviction in Skokie, Illinois could bring many negative consequences into his life. Aside from the legal consequences such as possible jail time, fines and a criminal record, he would also have higher insurance premiums. If he is currently insured, his car insurance provider would, of course, respond to this circumstance. What his car insurance company can exactly legally do would vary but his car insurance company may cancel or decline to renew his policy, restrict coverage provisions or, at a minimum, increase his premiums.

Although the amount of increase could greatly vary, his premiums could go up as much as 100 percent or more. How his car insurance provider reacts to his DUI could be worse if he has other strikes against him, such as traffic tickets, previous drunk driving convictions, late or unpaid insurance premiums, at-fault accidents or other negative history with the insurance company. He can obviously get free online rate quotes from various car insurance companies such as the ones available from this website.

DUI Consequences in Illinois If Convicted?

Reader’s Question:

We are afraid but we are doing everything for my sister so that she won’t get convicted on her DUI case here in Elgin, Illinois. What could she be facing if she will be convicted?

Jake

Elgin, IL

There are a lot of consequences that could flow from your sister’s DUI case in Elgin, Illinois if she gets convicted. Loss of her driver’s license is the one on top of the list. She may also pay heavy fines, court costs and extensive administrative fees. She may also be on probation, serve time in jail state prison; her vehicle could be impounded or forfeited. She may also install an ignition interlock device on her car. She has to remember that DUI laws are strict, the prosecutors and the courts often act without mercy or discretion and the penalties are harsh.

Aside from the obvious legal consequences of dealing with the law enforcement, the courts, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), there are also practical consequences that often flow from a DUI arrest or conviction. DUI is a crime and a DUI conviction will give your sister a permanent “criminal” record. She can lose her job or be prevented certain future employment, especially if it is state job, law enforcement-associated or involves driving. A DUI conviction can also cause her insurance rates to skyrocket and insurance companies sometimes will cancel her coverage altogether. If that happens, your sister can definitely get an online rate quote for her car insurance from this website.

Tags: car insurance, drunk driving laws, DUI, DUI lawyer, DUI penalties

Illinois DUI Conviction – How Long Will It Stay On My Record?

Reader’s Question:

How long does a DUI stay on record for the states of Michigan and Illinois? Does it reflect on my criminal record?

Joshua

Cicero, IL

Most traffic violation in Michigan stays on your record for at least 7 years. But, certain convictions and licensing actions remain on your driving record for at least 10 years. The same is true for alcohol violations which remain on your record for a minimum of 10 years. Fatality remains in you driving permanently in Michigan.

According to the Illinois the IL Secretary of State (SOS), moving violations remain on a driver’s record for 4 to 5years from the date of conviction. The information on the ticket will be carried on your driving record for a minimum of 7 years from the date of reinstatement if such ticket forms the basis for suspension or revocation of your license. DUI remain on a driver’s record for a lifetime in Illinois.

See with the various state’s courts to know how long these types of records will remain on your record and whether DUI is criminal or not.