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 Record Expungement

Reader’s Question:

My brother has a DUI conviction in Illinois and I have been doing several researches about the DUI state laws. I came across some information about clearing a DUI record. Is it true that he can have this DUI conviction completely erased?

Nadine

Schaumburg, IL

Your brother’s DUI conviction in  Illinois does not have to haunt him for a lifetime. In fact, he can expunge his criminal records, remove all his record of a past arrest and he can move on with his life and put those past transgressions behind him.

Your brother can obtain an expungement after he has completed supervision, and waited for the obligatory statutory period of time to expire. When this occurs, his DUI lawyer can file a petition with the State’s Attorney, the clerk’s office, the local arresting agency, and the State Police stating that he intends to expunge his arrest records. The police will have the opportunity to present any objections they may have to the court, and the court can either deny or grant the petition. In the event the court denies his petition, he can appeal to a higher court. One more thing is that the only way to get a conviction off of his record is to petition for executive clemency. His DUI lawyer should have experience in executive clemency and will petition the Governor’s office through the Illinois Prison Review Board. Clemency does not erase the crime, though, rather it simply forgives it, so that the conviction may no longer be used against him.

Can I Be Charged With DUI in Illinois If I Don’t Own A Car?

Reader’s Question:

Can I be charged of DUI even if I don’t have a car in Illinois?

John

Thank you for asking John.

Yes, you don’t have to be operating a car, truck or motorcycle to be arrested for DUI. Each state’s laws are different, but throughout the United States, individuals have been arrested for DUI while driving an assortment of motor vehicles, including boats, airplanes and bicycles.

In Illinois, these DUIs may seem amusing, but they’re actually very serious. Vehicle-free DUIs and non-driving DUIs pose just as much of a threat as “regular” DUIs, and can cause injury to people, other motorist, and yourself. And DUIs that don’t include vehicle certainly do include criminal penalties.

If you still have lingering questions regarding DUI, you should connect with a DUI lawyer for advice and clarification about DUI myths and laws in Illinois.

Goodluck!

MariCAR