Ways a DUI Conviction Can Affect Your Life

 Posted on October 12, 2023 in DUI

If you have been convicted of driving under the influence in Illinois, you could be facing serious consequences. Besides having your driving privileges taken away, a DUI conviction may result in a criminal record that can impact your life.

Besides legal ramifications, a DUI conviction can drain your bank account. The Illinois Secretary of State’s office estimates that the average DUI conviction in Illinois costs tens of thousands of dollars.

If you have been convicted of a DUI, you need the representation of an experienced Arlington Heights DUI defense lawyer. 

Your License Could Be Suspended or Revoked

You could be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) if your BAC is above the legal limit of 0.08% and your ability to drive is impaired. 

There are a number of factors that will determine how long your license is taken away, such as previous convictions, if you are under the age of 21, if your DUI accident hurt or killed anyone, and if you were transporting a child under the age of 16.

According to Illinois law, if you are facing a first or second conviction, driving under the influence is a Class A misdemeanor, while subsequent violations are classified as a felony. If it is your first conviction, you can expect your license to be suspended for at least one year. 

If it is your second conviction, you can expect your license to be revoked for five years. 

Upon your third conviction, your license will be revoked for a minimum of 10 years, along with your vehicle registration being suspended. For a fourth, fifth, and sixth DUI conviction, your driving privileges will be revoked for life, and your vehicle registration will be suspended.

If you are an underage driver, you will face a two-year license suspension, no matter the amount of alcohol found in your system.

You May Be Required to Install a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device on Your Vehicle

Most states, including Illinois, require first-time DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on their vehicles to legally drive during their license suspension. 

The device requires the user to breathe into a breathalyzer to start the vehicle. A camera is also installed to capture an image of you taking the breathalyzer test.

You are required to pay for issuance, installation, and monitoring costs associated with the BAIID. While the average cost to install a BAIID is $85, rental and monitoring fees can add up quickly, costing you around $2,000 a year.

You Could Spend Time in Jail

Besides facing civil penalties and driving restrictions, you could face jail time. If you are a first-time offender and you are found to be transporting a child under the age of 16, you could potentially serve six months in jail.

A second-time offender will receive at least five days behind bars. A third-time DUI conviction is considered an aggravated DUI, so you will spend at least 90 days in jail. In fact, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth convictions are considered aggravated DUIs and will come with prison time and potentially fines and community service.

Hiring a DUI criminal defense attorney will increase your likelihood of serving a reduced sentence and avoiding excessive fines. 

A Rolling Meadows, IL, DUI Defense Attorney Offering Aggressive Representation

A DUI in Illinois can follow you for the rest of your life. When you need representation that you can count on, it is crucial that you hire the right Arlington Heights, IL, defense attorney who will assess your case and devise a defense strategy that will work best for your situation. 

Having the right representation can mean all the difference. Contact Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law today online or at 847-253-3400 to schedule your free consultation.