Jump to Navigation

Champaign-Urbana Underage DUI Defense Lawyer

In Illinois, DUI penalties for drivers under the age of 21 are tougher than those for drivers over age 21. If you are under the age of 21 and are convicted of DUI, you face a minimum of two years' driver's license suspension rather than a minimum of one year. Also, a much greater effort may have to be undertaken to get court supervision.

At Patel Law, PC, we bring years of experience to the defense of people charged with drunk driving in Central Illinois. Lawyer Baku N. Patel is a former federal prosecutor, former Champaign County and Vermilion County senior prosecutor, and former U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General.

We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. With offices in Champaign-Urbana, Danville and Decatur, we represent families throughout Central Illinois.

Underage DUI Penalties in Illinois

The following chart summarizes the penalties for conviction of underage DUI charges in Illinois.

Underage DUI OffenseConsequences of a Conviction
First offense
  • Loss of full driving privileges for a minimum of two years
  • Possible imprisonment for up to one year
  • Up to $2,500 fine
  • Misdemeanor conviction on your record
Second offense
  • Misdemeanor on your record
  • Minimum five-year loss of full driving privileges
  • Mandatory five days' imprisonment or 240 hours community service
  • Possible imprisonment for up to one year
  • Up to $2,500 fine
  • Misdemeanor conviction on your record
Third offense
  • Minimum 10-year loss of full driving privileges
  • Mandatory 18-30 months' periodic imprisonment
  • Possible imprisonment for seven years
  • Up to $25,000 fine
  • Class 4 felony conviction on your record

Protecting Your Child From Extreme Consequences

Attorney Baku N. Patel is a former Champaign County and Vermilion County senior prosecutor who understands DUI charges from both a prosecution and defense point of view. If your child has been arrested for underage DUI, Mr. Patel will look for defenses such as:

  • Whether or not there was probable cause for the traffic stop
  • Which field sobriety tests were performed, and whether or not they were performed correctly
  • The results of blood, breath and urine tests to determine whether or not they were accurate

Even if it may not be possible to beat the charges, Mr. Patel can negotiate with prosecutors for the best possible outcome to resolve the case. In addition, he can provide advice and counseling to help your child obtain a restricted driver's license or ignition interlock device.

Contact a Drunk Driving Defense Attorney Serving Champaign-Urbana, Danville and Decatur

To schedule a free consultation, call Champaign-Urbana underage DUI defense attorney Baku Patel at 217-903-4867 (888-341-0748 toll free) or complete our online contact form.