Callahan & Hockemeyer
Callahan & Hockemeyer
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Illinois DUI Attorneys

Our DUI attorneys can minimize the impact an impaired driving charge has on your future. Illinois has harsh penalties for people who are convicted of DUI. If you have been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs, you could be facing substantial fines, jail time, and/or the loss of your vehicle and driver’s license.

To schedule a free consultation, call Callahan & Hockemeyer at 847-543-6910. 

DUI Penalties in Palatine

In Illinois, driving under the influence charges should never be taken lightly. Even a first time offender can face fines of up to $2,500, jail time, and a mandatory driver’s license suspension of six months. And it only gets worse.

Aside from the legal consequences of a DUI conviction, your auto insurance premiums will likely skyrocket. You may become ineligible for certain types of employment. You may be ordered to attend drug or alcohol treatment. Your reputation can be destroyed.

A second DUI conviction in Illinois means mandatory jail time. A third DUI conviction is a Class 2 felony and will result in a mandatory incarceration of 90 days. You could spend up to seven years in prison.

Will Your DUI Be Charged as a Felony?

Other factors may elevate the seriousness of your charges and penalties, too. For instance, a DUI will be charged as a felony if you:

  • Were driving a school bus or vehicle for hire with at least one passenger
  • Were involved in an accident causing serious injury
  • Were driving on a suspended or revoked license
  • Were not licensed to drive or were driving a vehicle without insurance

Given the severity of the penalties that may be imposed, it is vital that you work with an experienced DUI defense attorney. Criminal lawyer Bob Hockemeyer will evaluate your case and identify weaknesses that could get your charges dropped or reduced.

Defending DUI Charges

To be convicted of DUI in Illinois, the prosecution must prove that you were driving a motor vehicle and that you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs that prevented you from operating the vehicle safely. While this might sound cut and dry, there are a variety of ways we can defend your case and prevent a DUI conviction.

Reasonable Suspicion

In Illinois, police cannot legally pull a driver over unless there is reason to believe that a crime has been committed. If the officer did not have reasonable cause to stop your vehicle, we may be able to get your DUI charges dropped.

Breaches in Procedure

If the arresting officer did not follow the proper procedure when making the arrest, your case could be thrown out. For example, if police failed to properly issue Miranda Warnings, or you were mistreated, mishandled, or intimidated, your charges may be dropped.

Testing or Equipment Issues

Officers must be properly trained to administer breathalyzer and other sobriety tests. If the test was improperly administered or the testing equipment was not used properly, test results can be inaccurate. Additionally, incorrect calibration of the standard or portable breathalyzer equipment, improper handling of the blood test, machine malfunctions, or using unapproved testing devices can make your test results inadmissible.

If you’re facing DUI charges, don’t assume the worst, and don’t assume that a deal offered by the prosecution is the best you can do. Experienced criminal defense attorney Bob Hockemeyer will examine the case against you, explain your legal options, and together we will determine the best way to proceed with your defense.

We’re available 24/7
icon of Tracy Callahan
Tracy M. Callahan
Cell (773) 307-8593
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Robert W. Hockemeyer Jr.
Cell (815) 790-2520