DUI Law In Illinois

A first-time DUI is normally charged as a misdemeanor, not a felony according to DUI Law In Illinois. A first offender can get court supervision, only once, which is not a conviction on any public record. The criminal case is dismissed after successful end of court supervision, but can't be expunged from the public record. But if someone suffers great bodily harm from the drunken driving Illinois will raise the charge to a felony. And if the victim dies, Illinois may charge the driver with reckless homicide. Illinois will charge a third DUI as a felony.

If you are arrested for Driving Under the Influence (alcohol, drugs or combination thereof) and fail a blood alcohol level test (.08) or refuse to give to a test, your license will be suspended starting 46 days after the arrest according to DUI Law In Illinois. Before the suspension starts, you may request to have a hearing in court which will stop the suspension. Also, you may be allowed for a Judicial Driving Permit license for work or medical reasons while your license is suspended. DUI CONVICTION: Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or any other drug(s) or intoxicating compound(s) that endanger safe driving will cause mandatory revocation of your driver's license, plus criminal penalties of up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,500.

If you are convicted of a DUI, your driver's license and driving privileges will be revoked for a least of one year for the first offense, five years for a second offense committed within a 20-year period, and 10 years for a third or subsequent offense. But, if you are under age 21 at the time of the DUI conviction, your driver's license and driving privileges will be revoked for a minimum of two years for your first offense; for five years or until your 21st birthday, whichever is longer, for your second offense; and for 10 years for a third or subsequent offense. If you meet rules set by DUI Law In Illinois and the Secretary of State, you can get a restricted driving permit, good for 1 year, that generally allows driving only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. After that, you can apply for (but are not assured of getting) a regular driver's license.

Those are the penalties for a first offense according to DUI Law In Illinois. For a second offense within 20 years, the same criminal penalties apply, your license will be revoked, and you cannot apply for another license for 5 years. You can also be sentenced to 48 hours in jail or 10 days of community service. For a third conviction, which is a class 4 felony, you can be imprisoned up to 3 years and fined up to $25,000; your license will be revoked; and you cannot apply for another one for 10 years. For a fourth offense, you can be imprisoned up to 3 years, fined up to $25,000, and can NEVER AGAIN legally drive.