DUI Defense

Lake County DUI Attorneys

If you’ve been caught driving while intoxicated, you’ll likely face substantial legal penalties, such as restrictions or loss of your driving privileges, fines, or even jail time. You need an Illinois DUI lawyer to help defend you against these charges. At The Law Offices of Richard S. Kopsick, our Waukegan lawyers are ready to fight for you, building you a powerful defense strategy and pursuing every legal recourse to achieve the best possible results for your case. Call us at (847) 623-8700 today to set up your initial consultation.

DUI vs. DWI

A DUI stands for driving under the influence, while a DWI stands for driving while intoxicated or impaired. In some states, the terms DUI and DWI are interchangeable, but in others, the two designations are distinct from one another. In Illinois, there is no difference between a DUI and a DWI. Illinois’ DUI law encompasses any driving infraction involving drugs and/or alcohol.

It is also possible to be accused of a per se offense in Illinois law. This implies that if you drive a vehicle with a .08 percent BAC test or 5 ng or more of cannabis in your urine and/or blood, regardless of if you are noticeably impaired, you have committed a criminal offense.

What are the Penalties for a DUI in Illinois?

The penalties for a DUI depend on a variety of factors. The most important factor, however, is typically the number of previous convictions for this offense. Below, we will list the potential penalties for first, second, and third DUI offenses in Illinois.

First Offense

License suspension of up to a year
Up to a year in jail
Fine between $500 and $2,500
100+ hours community service, if BAC is higher than .16%
Installation of ignition interlock device

Second Offense

Revocation of license for 5 years
Up to a year in jail (or 7 years if passenger is under 16)
Fine between $1,250 and $2,500
240-480 hours of community service

Third Offense – Class 2 Felony

Revocation of license for 10 years
Up to 7 years in prison
Fine between $2,500 and $25,000
480 hours of community service

How To Beat a DUI Charge in Illinois

Richard S. Kopsick has been in private law firm practice for more than 30 years, meaning he has the knowledge and experience it takes to defend you and get the greatest possible result in your case. Once you hire Mr. Kopsick, he’ll thoroughly examine your case, concentrating on a series of questions that may lead you to win an acquittal or a sentence reduction. These are some of them:

Did the cops have a good reason (probable cause) to stop you?
Were you told what would happen (consequences of) if you refused a breath or blood alcohol test?
Were all of the field sobriety, breath, and/or blood-alcohol tests carried out in accordance with state regulations?
How long did such testing take place after you started driving?
Had your Miranda rights been read to you?
Were you the one behind the wheel?

Depending on the answers to these questions, our DUI defense lawyers in Waukegan, IL might be able to dispel findings against you and seek a dismissal or reduction of a criminal charge.

Discovering the presence of these kinds of errors in law procedure or creating reasonable doubt about the proof against you may help you overcome a drunk driving conviction.

Why Hire a Top DUI Attorney?

At The Law Offices of Richard S. Kopsick, our team of Lake County criminal defense lawyers are well-versed in the laws pertaining to DUI defense. We also have plenty of legal resources at our disposal and are familiar with many of the current prosecutors and judges in Illinois. Rest assured, when you hire a top DUI attorney like Mr. Kopsick, you’ll get the powerful defense you need to beat or reduce your charges.

For many people, a DUI charge is their first and only run-in with the law. If this is the case for you, Mr. Kopsick will work hard to ensure that a single blunder doesn’t cost you your freedom.

Call the Waukegan Criminal Defense Attorneys at The Law Offices of Richard S. Kopsick Today

Regardless of how incriminating the case is against you or how dire your situation seems to be, Richard S. Kopsick and his team of skilled Waukegan criminal defense lawyers will work tirelessly to preserve your rights. Kopsick employ’s his vast knowledge and legal resources to lessen your charges or otherwise achieve the best possible result at all times. To get in touch with our top Lake County criminal attorney at The Law Offices of Richard S. Kopsick, call 847-623-8700 today.