How to Find Information on the DUI Penalty in Illinois

Illinois DUI laws call for increased sentences and fines for drivers who have a blood alcohol content of 0.16 or higher with a passenger under the age of 16. Here is more information on DUI law in Illinois.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find treatment and assessment information through the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (see Resources below). The state of Illinois contracts with dozens of treatment facilities, allowing flexible locations and scheduling.

2. For severe DUI cases, state law allows increased sentences. See a full blood alcohol content chart at the Illinois State Police Web site (see Resources below).

3. Drivers convicted of DUI face thousands of dollars in fines and several months in jail. The state's Motor Vehicle Department can revoke licenses and force assessment for multiple offenders. Read more about Illinois penalties at DUI.com (see Resources below).

4. You can decrease your penalty by working with a state board-certified attorney. Attorneys with a specialty in DUI or traffic cases in Illinois can reduce your jail time and prevent excessive fines. Find a reputable lawyer through the Web site for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (see Resources below).

5. Learn the various stages of the DUI trial process before pleading guilty. Public defenders or family attorneys may be able to find that evidence was gained illegally. While many DUI cases in Illinois end at the arraignment, litigants can proceed to trial and appeals to decrease penalties and fines.

Tips & Warnings

• Utilize the right to counsel during the arraignment and original appeals process. In Illinois, as in other states, litigants have access to public defenders for legal advice and representation in court.
• Illinois DUI laws allow confiscation of motor vehicles from drivers with more than two DUI penalties.