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.

How Important Is It To Have a DUI Lawyer in Chicago Illinois?

Reader’s Question:

I have to admit that it’s not easy having a DUI charge here in Chicago, Illinois. How important is having a DUI lawyer to help me in my case?

Ray

Chicago, IL

You have to keep in mind that DUI is one of the few crimes that a person could be convicted solely on the opinion of the police officer. Even if most DUI offenses are classified as misdemeanors, the penalties for it are generally much more serious. If you choose to hire a DUI lawyer to help you in your DUI case in Chicago, Illinois, you need an experienced DUI lawyer to represent you in your DUI case to make sure that you get the best possible defense you can.

In hiring a DUI lawyer, there are certain things that you need to take note of to ensure that you get the best quality. The DUI lawyer should be up-to-date on the practices and guidelines in a DUI defense in Illinois. You need a lawyer who attends seminars presented by the National College for DUI Defense and have spent time learning advanced DUI Defense tactics from some of the leading DUI lawyers in the country. The DUI lawyer should also be willing to fight for your case not just a lawyer who will plead you out. Best of all, an experienced DUI lawyer is actually the one who could be able to save your job, driver’s license and freedom.