What to Expect at Your First Illinois DUI Court Appearance

 Posted on June 20, 2025 in DUI

If you have been arrested for DUI, you are likely full of anxiety and uncertainty regarding your future. Part of this stems from the fact that those who have never been in trouble with the law before have no prior experience with the judicial system. Not knowing what is going to happen can be very stressful.

It may be helpful to read through Illinois DUI laws, which are found under Statute 625 ILCS 5/11-501. While it may not make a difference in the outcome, the more prepared you are, the easier your first DUI court appearance (arraignment) will go. Now is the time to discuss this issue with your Arlington Heights, IL DUI lawyer. Ask your attorney whether you are being charged with a misdemeanor or felony, as well as the potential penalties.    

Your Court Summons and Where You Will Go for Your Arraignment

Your arraignment is your first court date and is a crucial step in defending your DUI charges. The arraignment generally takes place 30 to 60 days after your DUI arrest. Your ticket and subsequent correspondence will let you know which courthouse you will appear in and which courtroom you have been assigned. Before the hearing, you will receive paperwork listing the formal charges against you, along with chemical test results and a copy of the police report.

Dress appropriately for court, and always behave respectfully to the judge, the prosecutor, and anyone else in the courthouse. It is usually best to let your attorney speak on your behalf, so before the hearing, make sure you have told your attorney everything so as to avoid him or her being "blindsided" by a detail you failed to provide.

What You Can Expect at Your Arraignment

While you should discuss what to expect at the arraignment with your lawyer, generally speaking, there is a roll call, and then you will wait for your case to be called. The charges against you will be read aloud, and there will be an explanation of your rights before you are asked to enter a plea. You will plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

The judge may go over your bond conditions, particularly if they include drug testing, alcohol monitoring, or not driving due to a statutory suspension. You could be given the option of requesting a breath alcohol ignition interlock device for your vehicle. You will be given dates of future proceedings in the case, such as the preliminary hearing, pretrial motions, and the actual trial.

What Happens After the Arraignment?

After your arraignment, a pretrial conference will be set. Your attorney will discuss your DUI case with the State’s Attorney and will explore the possibility of a plea bargain. A suppression hearing may be held if your attorney believes that some or all of the evidence against you was illegally obtained.

This could mean that the officer had no reasonable suspicion to pull you over in the first place. Your constitutional rights might have been violated during your arrest. Any of these issues could result in your attorney filing motions to suppress certain evidence. If the judge agrees, your charges could potentially be dropped.

A trial must be held within 120 to 160 days after your attorney demands a trial. You will likely face a jury of 12 people. If you are found guilty of a first-time DUI, you could face a driver’s license suspension for a minimum of one year, a mandatory alcohol/drug evaluation, a substance abuse treatment program, possible jail time and fines, and the possibility of negotiating a plea deal in return for an alcohol diversion program.

Contact a Rolling Meadows, IL DUI Lawyer

While the arraignment is just the beginning, it is very important. Staying calm, legally prepared, and informed can make the process significantly less frightening. Having an Arlington Heights, IL DUI attorney from Scott F. Anderson, Attorney at Law can make a real difference in the outcome of your DUI charges. Attorney Anderson has more than 25 years of experience practicing criminal law, both as a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. Call 847-253-3400 to schedule your free consultation.