As skilled attorneys, we have been able to develop techniques and strategies that will help our DUI clients to have success depending on their criminal matter. As the best felony DUI lawyers in Chicago, we focus on carrying out investigations and in-depth investigations on your legal matters so we have an advantage over the side of the defense or the prosecution. Because of how our criminal defense law firm handles our clients' drunk driving charges and the success that we have had in the courtroom we have earned respect from them
Most of the time when you get arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Illinois you are likely going to be charged and convicted for a misdemeanor. Most DUI offenses are classified as misdemeanors. When the authorities stop you and find that you have been driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol level or above you can be charged with a DUI. The maximum charge that you can get for a Class A misdemeanor DUI charge can lead to up to 365 days in jail and you may have to pay fines up to $2500. However, there are instances where you will be charged with a felony. This is also referred to as an aggravated DUI.
When you are facing serious DUI charges you need attorney services from a knowledgeable team to help you build a strong argument so you can beat the charges and you can trust our attorneys to fight for you.
How to Build a Defense Against a DUI Arrest
There are many defense strategies that a person who has been charged with a DUI offense can use. Also, the plaintiff is also likely to incur high expenses. After a DUI charge, the best thing to do is to contact a criminal defense lawyer. It will cost you to hire a DUI attorney to represent you but hiring a lawyer to represent you will determine the outcome your case will have and long-term consequences to you.
You will need to pay the attorney fees, but aside from that, you may need to pay for the initial bail. You can spend any amount from several thousands of dollars up to thousands of dollars on bail. It will depend on the circumstances surrounding your DUI case. If your vehicle has been impounded you will need to pay so you can have access to it once more and the process of retrieving the vehicle can be daunting.
After getting arrested for a DUI in Illinois, as a driver, you will be required to get into classes that offer counseling and talk about the harm that is caused by driving under the influence. So you can get your license restored or reinstated you will be required to take a drug or alcohol test.
Aside from the reinstatement fee, you will need to pay for the administration fee as well as other costs. After the suspension is lifted you will need to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle that you are driving. You will need to pay for the monthly rental fee as well as other additional costs such as the maintenance of the device.
Even as a first-time offender, you can end up spending a lot. You need an attorney to help you avoid unnecessary costs associated with drunk driving. Do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help from our skilled Chicago DUI attorneys.
Choose Ktenas Law for Your Case
There are several special circumstances that can result in a DUI charge being classified as a felony. Due to an individual committing multiple DUI it can result in them being charged and convicted of a felony. For example, a third DUI offense can result in one being charged for a class 2 felony and it attracts a punishment of three to seven years in prison.
You can be charged for aggravated DUI in Illinois for some of the below offenses:
- A DUI that causes severe injuries or property damage.
- Driving under the influence in a vehicle with a minor under the age of 16 and they get injured as a result.
- Driving under the influence without vehicle liability insurance.
- If as a result of a DUI automobile accident death occurs. It can also be called reckless homicide.
- Driving under the influence when you do not have a valid driver’s license or permit or before the suspension period is over.
When you have a felony charge the penalties that you will face are severe. At Ktenas Law we highly advise you to make use of a Felony DUI lawyer in Chicago that is skilled and experienced so they can do their best to get you a positive outcome despite the nuances of your case. Aside from other serious consequences, your license can be revoked permanently or for a long period of time.
Fines and Jail Time for a Felony DUI Conviction
A criminal court will impose the penalties below depending on the felony DUI you have been convicted with:
- For a class X felony, you can serve a sentence of six to thirty years in prison and pay a fine amounting to $25,000.
- A class 1 felony attracts a prison sentence of four to fifteen years in prison and a fine of $25000.
- You will serve a prison sentence of three to seven years and a fine of up to $25000.
- A class 3 felony will result in you serving two to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
- When you commit a class 4 felony the consequences are one to three years in prison and fines amounting to $25000.
The punishment or consequences for a felony DUI that as a result caused the death will result in specific prison terms which are usually different compared to other felony penalties.
- When you have committed an aggravated DUI offense that results in the death of one person you will serve a prison sentence of three to fourteen years.
- Committing an aggravated DUI offense that involves the death of 2 or more people will result in a prison sentence of six up to twenty-eight years.
Besides a lengthy prison sentence, an additional punishment for an aggravated DUI or felony offense can involve a mandatory sentence that does not allow the court supervision option. An aggravated DUI conviction carries a minimum sentence. Below is the additional mandatory minimum sentence that a felony conviction carries:
- 480 hours of community service
- A jail time of 10 days.
Related Content: How a DUI Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Additional Consequences You Face From a Felony DUI
Aside from serving time in prison and paying heavy fines, there are other ways that a felony Dui conviction can affect the life of a commercial driver. Some other severe consequences that drunk drivers are likely to incur are:
- A driver’s license suspension or license revocation.
- As a requirement, you will need to attend a substance abuse or alcohol treatment program and as well complete an alcohol/drug evaluation.
- You may have to pay for high-risk auto insurance coverage for a period of three years.
- As a condition of driving you will have a BAIID (Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device) installed in the vehicle that you are driving.
- You will lose time away from your family, school, and work as a result.
- You will pay thousands of dollars to pay for court-ordered assessments, bail, treatment programs, and remedial education.
You can avoid the harsh consequences or at least get a lesser sentence when you have an experienced attorney in Chicago to defend you. We have represented many clients that were in a position similar to yours and we helped them to get the best possible outcome. You have a lot to lose as a result of a DUI conviction and for that reason, you should look for a Chicago criminal defense lawyer who will stand by your side and defend you aggressively.
Learn More: What to Do After a DUI Arrest
Get in Touch With Our Chicago DUI Defense Law Firm
As a result of a DUI conviction, the courses of so many lives have been changed. During negotiations, your charge may be able to be reduced. As a result of a plea bargain, the court can sentence you to community service or another lesser charge. When further investigations are carried out by your attorney it is possible to uncover facts that had not been discovered before. The results can show that there were errors in how the police officers carried out their procedures or in how they applied the DUI laws. For example, if after a chemical test your blood alcohol content is at 0.08% or higher it might mean that
For example, if after a chemical test your blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher it might mean that the law enforcement officers administered a test that had errors and it could be incorrect. Also, if your Miranda rights were not read to you during the time of arrest the arrest can be classified as being unlawful. By getting in touch with our legal team we can trace errors in your case and come up with an aggressive defense strategy that can change the course of your case. Give our law office a call and schedule your initial consultation!
