Posted on July 26, 2017 in DUI

Illinois is ranked one of the toughest states on driving under the influence – and for a good reason. License suspensions can occur upon the first conviction, and the third conviction is typically considered a felony. Of course, that leaves many drivers wondering just how long a conviction will stay on their record. Learn more about the DUI lookback period in Illinois, including what it may mean for your DUI charges case with help from the following information.

The Illinois Lookback

The lookback period of a state is the amount of time over which a conviction may impact a driver on subsequent charges. For most states, this is only a handful of years. In Illinois, the lookback period is for the life of the driver, so every conviction counts. A first conviction stays on your record permanently and can impact your case, even if the next charge is decades later.

What It Could Mean for Your Case

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 12, 2017 in Felonies & Misdemeanors

If you have ever watched a crime show on television, then you probably believe that forensic and DNA evidence is the gold standard in courtrooms. Your perception is further reinforced by the number of people who have been exonerated by DNA evidence and the high-profile cases in which DNA or other forensic evidence lead to a conviction. Unfortunately, what no one will tell you is that these forms of evidence are not foolproof. In fact, some are downright faulty, and others are riddled with errors that lead to the conviction of the wrong person.

If you or someone you love is facing a criminal charges case and there is DNA or forensic evidence against you, do not give up the fight. Instead, learn how to defend yourself against such evidence. Above all, ensure you protect your rights, before things start to spiral out of control. The following information explains further.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on July 06, 2017 in DUI

Blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is a measurement of the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. Under the “rule of thumb,” it takes your body one hour to metabolize one drink, but there are several factors that can alter this. In fact, you might be driving much sooner than you should without knowing it. Learn more about how the body metabolizes alcohol and its influence your BAC levels, as well as more on what it could mean if you are pulled over by an officer, with help from the following information.

Factors That Can Influence Your BAC

Every person metabolizes alcohol differently, and there are numerous factors that come into play. For instance, a person with cirrhosis of the liver will typically metabolize alcohol slower than someone with a healthy liver. Other factors that can influence your body’s alcohol metabolism include:

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 26, 2017 in DUI

If you follow the news, you may know that Illinois is struggling to overcome its budget crisis. You may also know that the Illinois Department of Transportation’s funding for special patrols will expire before the holiday weekend. What you may not know is that this may greatly reduce the number of DUI roadblocks over Independence Day weekend. Still, it is important to know your rights because, per Round Lake Park Police Chief George Filenko, state troopers will still be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers.

Why the Crackdowns Exist

It might seem pretty annoying, having to deal with roadblocks, but the increase in them over holidays and other times of the year are meant to reduce the number of DUI-related crashes. Unfortunately, you can be unlawfully singled out, or you may be asked to complete a sobriety test and end up with a faulty positive for intoxication. To prevent this, it is important that you know your rights, including your right to an attorney.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 19, 2017 in Driver's License Reinstatement

If you are planning on moving but your Illinois driver’s license has been revoked, you may wonder if you will be permitted to drive in the new state. You may also wonder what will happen when it comes to your record. Rest assured that, even if your license has been revoked for a DUI or repeated traffic violations in Illinois, you may still be able to restore your driving privileges.

Restoring Your Illinois License

One option you may have is to try and restore your Illinois driver’s license. To do this, you would need to undergo a hearing with the Illinois Secretary of State. While you do not need an attorney to complete this process, it is highly advised that you hire one. One misstep in the process could cause lengthy delays or could result in a denial of your request.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 12, 2017 in Traffic Violations

Most drivers will admit to having sped at least once or twice in their lives. Unfortunately, speeding can increase the risk and severity of an accident, and it can lead to harsh penalties. Furthermore, Illinois has some of the most serious penalties in the nation for speeding, particularly for those that exceed the speed limit by at least 20 miles per hour. Learn more about the consequences of speeding, including how to protect yourself from them.

Low-Level Speeding Violations

If you are caught driving over the speed limit, but your speed did not exceed 25 miles per hour at the time of the infraction, you may receive a ticket for a “low-level speeding” violation. At first glance, this might not seem like such a big deal, but some consequences should be considered. On top of the fine that may be owed, you could also experience a hike in your insurance premiums. In fact, one analysis determined the insurance premium increase after a speeding ticket can cost Illinois drivers as much as an extra $900 over the course of five years.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on June 05, 2017 in DUI

If you have never been charged with a DUI, the experience of being arrested was likely traumatizing. Unfortunately, the process is not yet complete. Instead, you must deal with the after effects – the charges and their consequences. What can you expect? Hopefully, a dismissal of your case, which may be possible if you take a proactive approach to your case.

Facing the Charges Head On

No matter how much you might want the recent arrest to be nothing more than a horrible nightmare, the truth is that the charges will not disappear on their own. You must fight against them and prove that you were not intoxicated above the legal limit, or that the arrest was otherwise wrongful or unwarranted. It is highly recommended that you seek assistance from an experienced attorney. Not only can they ensure your rights are upheld throughout the process, they are also well-versed in the DUI laws and police procedures. This knowledge alone could potentially impact the outcome of your case.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 31, 2017 in DUI

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.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 23, 2017 in DUI

This Memorial Day weekend will be a triple threat for Illinois residents. There will be more DUI checkpoints and seatbelt checkpoints, which could ultimately result in a sobriety test. It is also distracted driving awareness week, and officers are already cracking down on drivers using their cellphones while behind the wheel. Learn more about how to protect yourself this weekend, and what you can do if you or someone you love falls victim to one of these extra measures.

Play It Extra Safe

Most drivers know their limits. They wait until they can drive safely, or they call a cab or assign a designated driver to avoid driving while intoxicated. Unfortunately, with more DUI checkpoints, drivers may be more likely to receive a sobriety test. News reporters have found this test to be difficult, even for sober people. If you fail, you may be asked to take a breathalyzer. If the machine is improperly calibrated or used incorrectly and you have had just one drink, you could find yourself behind bars for the night.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on May 18, 2017 in Traffic Violations

As technology advances so do law enforcement techniques. In fact, many city, county, and federal officers have become tech savvy enough to navigate through Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. Another major advancement is how they use equipment to track speeding drivers. More specifically, there are two basic technologies: Lidar and Radar. What are these techniques, and what might they mean for your case? The following explains.

Radar Technology

First used in law enforcement in 1954, radar is an older technology. It uses a short, high-intensity of high-frequency radio waves to track speed. It is rather accurate, but there are some serious limitations to this technology. First, the device shoots the waves in a cone-shaped structure, which can target the largest vehicle, the fastest vehicle, or the closest vehicle. In short, it can be difficult to discern which vehicle the device targeted, especially when using it in congested traffic areas.

Continue Reading ››