I represented a client in Kankakee, Illinois on November 13, 2013, who was charged with DUI. He was stopped by an Illinois State Trooper for speeding and improper lane usage. My client submitted to all of the field sobriety tests and submitted to a breath test which registered a 0.11. The legal limit is 0.08.…
With the changes in the law (making 30mph and over a Class B misdemeanor, and 40mph and over a Class A misdemeanor), I have received many new clients being charged with these more serious speeding misdemeanors. Last Thursday, I represented a person for speeding 89mph in a 45mph zone. The ticket was issued by a…
Last Thursday, I appeared in DuPage County for my client who was charged with Retail Theft. He was accused of taking protein powder without paying for the item. What really happened is that my client paid $50.00, (the price with tax was $49.95) and left without a receipt. The store clerk pocketed the money. The…
I just completed a trial in DeKalb County (Sycamore, Illinois), where my client was stopped by an Illinois State Police Trooper at 1:47a.m. for driving 87mph in a 65mph zone and driving with one headlight. The Illinois State Police trooper testified that my client had a very strong smell of alcohol, very red and blood…
Yesterday, I appeared for a client who was charged with his 3rd DUI. The case could have been upgraded to a felony but I was able to prevent it by the way I approached the case with the prosecutor. Specifically, I let the state’s attorney know right away that we were simply going to watch…
Winning a DUI case involves three major aspects. First, I review of the evidence the prosecutor has against you. This involves reviewing the arresting police officer’s narrative report, the alcohol influence report, (where your performance of the field sobriety tests are recorded), and any interview that may have been conducted at the time of your…
In Illinois you can be convicted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) when your sleeping in your car or sitting in your car without the engine running. It is possible because Illinois law requires that you have “actual physical control” of your vehicle to be guilty of DUI. “Actual physical control” is defined as simply…
A Victim Impact Panel, (commonly referred to as a “V.I.P.”), is a two hour presentation given by individuals who have either been impacted by a drunk driver or by individuals who either injured or killed a person when they were driving drunk. Client’s have told me that this was the class that was most beneficial…
The time period to get a hardship license depends on if you need a formal or informal hearing. If you have one prior DUI, or are revoked for most other reasons, you will need an informal hearing. It takes about 7 days to schedule and prepare for an informal hearing before the Illinois Secretary of…
A hardship license in Illinois is called a Restrictive Driving Permit, (RDP). A hardship license / RDP allows a person to drive to and from work. It is limited in the number of miles, times and days a person can drive. Each hardship license is specific to the individual’s specific work requirements. It will not…