Do Not Ring in the New Year With a DUI Charge in Illinois

 Posted on December 29, 2020 in DUI

For many people, 2020 has been a stressful, never-ending nightmare of a year. One of the most significant and deadliest viruses in modern history, COVID-19, spread like wildfire and continues to rage on in certain parts of the world. Thankfully, there is a light at the end of the 2020 tunnel with a vaccine starting to be administered. Many people use the holiday as an evening to celebrate the going of the past year and to welcome the near year in, but your new year could get off to a troubled start if you do not celebrate your New Year’s responsibly and decide to drink and drive.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the New Year holiday is typically a heavy drinking period, involving increased instances of DUIs and traffic fatalities. In 2018, 39 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred during the New Year holiday season involved alcohol-impaired driving, compared to 29 percent of all traffic fatalities throughout the year. Illinois DUI charges come with serious consequences, so avoiding a DUI conviction is always the priority. An Illinois DUI defense attorney can help you understand your charges if you have been arrested for DUI in Illinois.

Sobriety Checkpoints

Illinois police across the state are constantly on the patrol for drunk or intoxicated drivers throughout the year, but they are especially on alert around certain holidays, such as New Year’s Eve. One of the main ways the police patrol for inebriated drivers during these times is by setting up sobriety checkpoints on roads and streets that are typically busy during times when drunk drivers commonly travel, such as in the evenings. Sobriety checkpoints are designed to randomly screen drivers for signs of intoxication, meaning you may be asked to submit to field sobriety testing if you pass through a checkpoint. Failing to comply with checkpoint procedures could result in additional consequences.

Consequences of a DUI Conviction

In addition to any other penalties that you might face, such as those attached to failing or refusing to submit to a chemical test or field sobriety test, you will also face criminal penalties for a DUI charge. A first-time DUI charge in Illinois is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in prison, up to $2,500 in fines, and a minimum of one year of driver’s license suspension. Penalties for DUI can vary greatly depending on the circumstances. Factors such as the number of previous DUI arrests and/or convictions you have, your blood alcohol content (BAC), whether or not you were transporting a child, and whether or not the DUI caused any injuries or deaths can all affect the outcome of a DUI conviction.

Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL Criminal Defense Lawyer 

If you are arrested for or are charged with a DUI over the holidays, speaking with a skilled Illinois criminal defense attorney is crucial. Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law has been practicing criminal law for more than 25 years and has experience representing clients facing both misdemeanor and felony DUI charges. Attorney Anderson can help you understand what your charges entail and work with you to develop a defense strategy that best fits your needs. To schedule a free consultation with our reputable Arlington Heights, IL DUI defense attorney, call our office today at 847-253-3400.

Sources:

https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_a118.pdf

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/holidays/new-years-day/