Danville, Illinois Multiple and Felony DUI Attorney
Most motorists know that Illinois laws on driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol are tough, leading to serious criminal charges and implications for your driving privileges. Even a first-time offense could mean a driver’s license suspension of up to one year. Plus, you should always bear in mind that drunk driving is a crime. A judge could order a maximum of 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine for a conviction. However, the stakes are higher for multiple and felony DUIs. The statutes impose harsher punishment, and any drunk driving case in your history is included.
If you have a DUI in your past and are facing new charges, retaining skilled legal counsel is essential. Our team at Patel Law, PC has years of experience representing clients in your position and helping with positive resolutions. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with a Danville, Illinois multiple and felony DUI attorney. You might also find it useful to review some background information below.
Basics About DUI Laws
When you have a drunk driving conviction on your record, any arrest after that case will be a subsequent or multiple DUI. Like a first drunk driving offense, a second offense is a Class A misdemeanor. However, there is a mandatory minimum of five days’ incarceration, and a judge could order up to a year in jail. For a third conviction, Class 2 Felony, the penalty is a mandatory ten days’ imprisonment or up to seven years in prison.
Plus, certain drunk driving cases are felonies regardless of your history. You could be charged with felony DUI for:
- Being involved in a motor vehicle crash causing great bodily harm to another person;
- Causing injuries to someone in a school zone;
- A drunk driving accident involving a fatality; or,
- Not having a valid driver’s license or driving on a suspended license.
Defenses and Other Strategies
There are two proceedings involved with a DUI, and one involves your driver’s license. Multiple drunk driving convictions increase the period of suspension to five or ten years. One strategy that benefits your case is seeking a restricted driving permit that allows you to operate a vehicle for limited purposes. Patel Law, PC will help with the requirements, including the installation of an ignition interlock device (IID).
As far as defending the criminal side, our Danville, Illinois, multiple and felony DUI lawyers are prepared to:
- Challenge the circumstances that led police to pull you over;
- Contest that officers had probable cause to arrest you;
- Dispute the results of a chemical test;
- Negotiate an agreement with the prosecutor; and,
- Represent you at trial.
A Danville, Illinois Multiple and Felony DUI Attorney Will Protect Your Interests
There is no doubt that drunk driving charges get more serious and complicated when you have a history of convictions. However, there are defenses and strategies that can help you avoid the harshest punishment, so please contact Patel Law, PC to learn more about options. We are happy to set up a consultation with an Illinois multiple and felony DUI lawyer.
