For decades, various organizations in the United States have attempted to lower the number of DUI incidents and drunk driving deaths through a variety of methods. Despite many gains, fatalities continue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 11,000 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes nationwide in 2017. Because DUI deaths remain common, DUI laws have become more strict and judges have sentenced offenders harshly. 

One of the methods Illinois uses to deter DUI offenders from becoming repeat violators is by imposing driver’s license suspensions and revocations on those convicted of DUI. Still, many are given a chance to drive as needed to support themselves and their families.

According to the Illinois Secretary of State, there were 330 people killed in alcohol-related car crashes in Illinois last year. Those fatalities represented about 30 percent of the 1,090 people who were killed in all car crashes in the state in 2017. Because alcohol plays such a large role in traffic deaths, punishments are substantial.

Most who experience a DUI conviction have no idea just how much it costs, in addition to the loss of driving privileges. Here are eight hidden expenses that come with an Illinois DUI conviction:

Being charged with driving under the influence, or a DUI, can affect many different areas of a person’s life. A person may find that their entire livelihood could be impacted by a DUI charge, including many potentially negative impacts on employment. Some factors that can affect employment are: 

1. Transportation. If a person is convicted of a DUI, they will face driving restrictions that can make it difficult to get to work. A first-time DUI conviction in Illinois carries a revocation of driving privileges for at least one year and a period in which their vehicle registration is suspended. Further convictions or more serious offenses can result in longer suspensions or the seizure of the driver’s vehicle.  
2. Time. Being charged with a DUI can lead to a person spending time in court that could have otherwise been spent working as they try to fight their charge. A DUI conviction can result in further lost time, as the person may be required to participate in community service or counseling, or they may need to serve time in jail.   
3. Job Requirements. When an individual is convicted of a DUI, it remains on their driving record permanently. Illinois is an at-will employment state, which means that an employee can be terminated for any reason at any time, so long as it is not due to a discriminatory factor such as race, sex, or religion. If a person’s job involves driving in some capacity, and they receive a DUI, their employer may decide that they are unfit for the job.
4. Policy Violations. Some jobs come with the expectation that an individual will maintain a clean criminal record. A company may have a policy that if an employee is convicted of any crime while working there, they can be terminated. You may be required to notify an employer immediately after an arrest occurs, and they will determine what actions they want to take.
5. Effect on Future Jobs. Not only can a DUI affect a person’s current job status, it can also create an obstacle in attaining future employment. Some professions may require that an applicant disclose any prior convictions when applying to a job, and the prospective employee may be denied employment due to their criminal history. A DUI could also present a problem in obtaining licensing necessary for certain career fields, such as medicine or law.

Contact Our Arlington Heights DUI Defense Lawyers

DUI charges can present significant challenges for a person’s career. An Arlington Heights DUI defense lawyer can aid you in the complicated legal process and will work towards getting your charges reduced or even dropped altogether. Call Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, at 847-253-3400 to schedule a free consultation today.

Driving under the influence can place anyone’s livelihood at risk. However, those that have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) are especially at risk – not because the consequences are necessarily more severe, but because others may have a way to work around their DUI. This is not the case for the commercial driver. Learn how you can protect your CDL after a DUI arrest, and discover what an experienced criminal defense attorney can do to help.

BAC Limits for CDL Drivers

While most drivers are held to a maximum BAC of less than 0.08, CDL drivers have an even lower legal limit. They must never reach or exceed a BAC of 0.04, or they risk a disqualification (DQ) of their CDL license. If they are caught driving with a BAC of 0.08 or higher, their state driver’s license may also be at risk for suspension. Drivers may also be subject to felony criminal charges if there are certain aggravating factors in their case (i.e. an accident that resulted in significant injury or the death of another driver).

Lawmakers say that no amount of alcohol is considered safe for drivers, but one drink may not trigger a DUI arrest. So, just how much does it take before one is arrested on DUI charges, and how might your blood alcohol concentration impact your case? The following explains, and it provides you with some key details on how to fight back.

What is BAC?

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. Numerous factors, including weight, the number of drinks, gender, stomach contents at the time of consumption, and overall health can all impact this concentration. That can make determining your exact BAC after drinking rather difficult. Moreover, it can influence how long you must wait to drive after having one, two, three, or four drinks. If ever in doubt, play it safe and call a cab or designated driver to take you home; it is far better than taking the risk of a DUI arrest.