DUI Charges Can Escalate Quickly

 Posted on February 24, 2017 in DUI

Although a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction does carry its own set of consequences, they often pale in comparison to what can happen if you fail to comply or do not appear for court when summoned. This is a difficult lesson that one Illinois man is currently facing. Learn more about the risks of a DUI charge, and how you can mitigate them, with help from the following.

Failure to Appear in Court Escalates Misdemeanor to Felony

When the Illinois man allegedly crashed his vehicle on Interstate 74, killing a local woman, the Illinois State Police decided not to arrest him. Instead, they sent him a misdemeanor DUI ticket and a notice to appear in court. He reportedly failed to appear, so the judge repealed his ticket and, instead, filed charges for a felony aggravated DUI and a warrant for his arrest. Once he is brought into custody, he will face a bond of $100,000. He will also have to face the risk of heightened consequences if he is convicted of his charges.

Understanding the Consequences of DUI-Related Charges

If you have been issued a DUI ticket, it is critical that you seek legal assistance immediately. Not only are you at risk for having a conviction placed on your record, you could lose your driver’s license for at least a year. In some cases, you may also be sentenced to jail time. Further, if you fail to comply with any of the terms of your conviction (i.e. driving while on a suspended license, failure to appear in court, failure to complete an alcohol diversion program, etc.), you could face escalated charges, much like the Illinois man recently did.

Mitigating the Risks

While no two cases are exactly alike, and it is impossible to give specific information without a careful examination of one’s case, those that employ the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer often experience more favorable outcomes than those that attempt to face the charges alone. Also, the sooner an attorney is contacted, the better off most individuals are. This is because police and other law enforcement agents often use sneaky tactics to gain evidence against you; an attorney can help protect you from such strategies.

Contact Our Illinois DUI Defense Lawyer

Whether you are facing your first DUI or your fifth, contact the Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law, for assistance. Experienced and trusted with some of the most difficult cases throughout the area, our Arlington Heights DUI defense lawyer will aggressively pursue the most favorable outcome possible in your case. Call 847-253-3400 and schedule a consultation today.

Source:

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-02-24/accused-drunk-driver-fails-appear.html