DUI cases are serious and can result in charges that can affect your future. If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Illinois, contact a DUI Lawyer Manhattan Illinois for help. You don’t want to ruin your reputation or your ability to maintain employment. You want to move forward and The MacNeil Firm can help. Contact us today at (708) 218-0947 or (708) 218-0947 for a consultation.
Typically, for a first time offender, a DUI case can take about three to six months. If there was an accident, injury, or even death, the timeline will vary. In addition, if this is a second or third offense, the process will also look very different.
Start of the DUI Process
All DUI cases begin when someone is suspected of driving under the influence (DUI). Police officers have a number of ways to determine if you are intoxicated. They can use their own observations, such as your appearance and behavior. They may also ask you questions or perform field sobriety tests on you. If an officer believes that they have probable cause that you are intoxicated, then they will request that another officer conduct a preliminary alcohol screening test (PAS). If this test shows above 0.08%, then it’s time for full sobriety testing at the police station.
If you are taken to the police station, remain calm and ask for an attorney. The DUI Lawyer Manhattan Illinois at The MacNeil Firm will be there to represent you. We will provide you with a zealous defense to keep a DUI off your record.
After an arrest
The officer must have reasonable grounds to believe that the person is impaired. This can be shown by the smell of alcohol on their breath, or other signs of intoxication (such as slurred speech) or an admission from the driver that he or she has been drinking alcohol. If there is a preliminary breathalyzer or field sobriety test given this can be used to make an arrest as well.
Once you are arrested and taken to the police station, your vehicle will likely be seized and impounded. You will be asked to submit to a chemical test (the urine test or a blood test). If you choose to refuse testing, your license will automatically be suspended. Your case will likely still go to court and you could face additional consequences if you are convicted of a DUI. If you submit to the testing and are found to be intoxicated above the legal limit, the evidence will be used against you. Your license will also be suspended for a period of time.
After being charged with DUI
After being charged with DUI, defendants have several options for handling their cases. They can plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If they choose to go to trial and are found guilty by a judge or jury, the court will impose a sentence that may include:
- Fines and fees
- Jail time
- Community service hours
- Suspension or revocation of driving privileges
It is essential that you have a DUI lawyer Manhattan Illinois to help you with your case. We will make sure we provide a full evaluation and help you determine your best option to move forward.
Contact our DUI lawyer Manhattan Illinois for a consultation
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in Illinois, contact The MacNeil Firm. It’s important to get legal representation as soon as possible. A DUI lawyer Manhattan Illinois can help you understand the process and what to expect, so that you don’t have any surprises during your case.
Your first court date will be about a month after your arrest, but you do not want to wait to consult with an attorney. You are entitled to a quality defense and you deserve to be able to move forward with your life.