You need an aggressive Niles DUI Defense Lawyer if you or a loved one have been charged with a DUI in Niles, Illinois. The city of Niles is located in Cook County. The town was has a current population of an 29,803 permanent residents and a total land area of about 5.85 square miles.
As of 2014, the crime rate in Niles, Illinois is about 127.1 per 100,000 people, which is well below the national average of 287.5 per 100,000 people. Right out of the gate, you can expect the legal system to be tough on crime, including DUI charges. This makes it all the more important to act quickly in preparing a solid defense if you have been charged with a crime in Niles, Illinois. You cannot afford to take chances with anyone other than an aggressive and dedicated DUI attorney. This is what makes Goldman & Associates such an easy choice for keeping the justice system accountable to your rights.
If you are charged with a DUI in Niles, Illinois, the Second Municipal District Courthouse located in Skokie, will have jurisdiction over your case. The courthouse is located at 5600 Old Orchard Road, Skokie, Illinois 60077. To make sure that you are getting the benefit of an experienced advocate for your DUI defense, it is best to consult with a DUI lawyer that has an extensive track record of defending DUI charges in the Skokie Courthouse. At Goldman & Associates, our top notch attorneys have had years of experience in keeping our clients out of prison and back on the road again after DUI charges in Niles, Illinois and understand what you need to know to succeed in this jurisdiction.
Illinois Law on DUIs
Illinois law prevents anyone from driving a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. For any driver under 21 years of age in Illinois, there is a zero tolerance policy for consuming any alcohol and driving.
Protecting Your Rights and Future – Niles DUI Attorney
No matter your background, being charged with a DUI can be one of the most intimidating and frightening experiences of your life. It is completely understandable to be shaken up by this life changing event. Even though your mind is likely racing, it is important to take control of the situation to minimize the potential hardships that a DUI charge or conviction can have on you and your loved ones. The first step in taking charge of your situation is speaking with a quality Niles DUI lawyer at Goldman & Associates.
Criminal Penalties for DUI Convictions in Illinois
Your Niles DUI Attorney should discuss with you that the penalties for being convicted of a DUI in Illinois vary depending on whether it is a repeat offense. Consulting with an experienced DUI attorney immediately after you have been charged with a DUI will ensure that you minimize the effect of any DUI conviction or work toward avoiding a conviction entirely. The sooner you begin preparing your criminal defense with a trusted DUI attorney, the better off you will be in minimizing the fallout from a DUI charge. Beyond the penalties you may face under criminal law, if not handled effectively, a DUI conviction can have a lasting impact on your employment prospects, personal relationships and financial future. We understand the severity of these potential consequences for our clients and work diligently to protect their constitutional rights and minimize the impact of a DUI charge or conviction.
First DUI Conviction
A conviction for a first time DUI offense can result in a minimum of loss of driving privileges for one year. It also carries a possible prison sentence of one year maximum and a maximum fine of $2,500.
Second DUI Conviction
If you are convicted of a second DUI, you could face a minimum of five years without driving privileges. There is also a mandatory five day prison sentence or an alternative sentence of 240 hours of community service. The maximum prison sentence is one year, and the maximum fine is $2,500.
Third DUI Conviction
A third DUI conviction is officially classified as a Class 2 felony. The consequences for this crime include a minimum of 10 years without driving privileges, a mandatory periodic prison term of 18 to 30 months, a maximum prison sentence of up to seven years and a maximum fine of $25,000.
Aggravated DUI based upon victim
This charge pertains to an accident involving an intoxicated driver in which great bodily harm or permanent disfigurement results to a victim. This is a serious offense that is considered a Class 4 felony in Illinois. The consequences for this offense include a minimum of one year without driving privileges, a mandatory prison term of 10 days or 480 hours of community service, a maximum prison sentence of up to 12 years and a maximum fine of $2,500.
Administrative Penalties for DUI Convictions in Illinois
In addition to any criminal penalties that can be imposed for a DUI conviction, a DUI in Illinois can result in administrative license suspension of driving privileges. These restrictions can affect your ability to get to your job and provide for your family financially, so it is crucial to take these consequences just as seriously as dealing with the criminal aspects of your DUI case. A knowledgeable Niles DUI attorney can help to minimize the hardship that can be imposed from these penalties.
While you may lose driving privileges for a period of time, it is possible to qualify for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) after completing the first 30 days of the license suspension period. This option is not available for a driver under the age of 18 years or if the offender’s license has otherwise been revoked or suspended. To qualify for the MDDP, it must be the driver’s first time being convicted of a DUI in Illinois or in any other state within the past five years. The application for an MDDP must be sent to the Secretary of State’s office, and you will be required to pay various fees and comply with several insurance requirements to stay in the program.
It is recommended to consult with an experienced Niles DUI lawyer about the options available to you through the MDDP program so that you make sure you comply with all of the requirements. The suspension does not necessarily commence as soon as you are arrested for a DUI, so you need to make sure that you speak with a Niles DUI lawyer about the possibility for challenging the impending license suspension through an administrative hearing. This process can be very complicated, and it is best to navigate through the advice and counsel of an experienced advocate. Mistakes in dealing with the administrative aspects of a drivers license suspension from a DUI can be costly and have lasting consequences on your rights. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in these already complex and frustrating situations. Make sure that you ask your attorney about any questions you may have in getting your license reinstated or about avoiding the suspension of your drivers license all together if possible. No question is too obvious or unimportant to ask at a time when your rights are on the line.
Do Not Delay in Consulting with a Trusted Niles DUI Attorney
Whether this is your first or a repeat offense of a DUI charge in Niles, the best way to make sure that you are preserving your rights and getting the best possible outcome from your criminal case is to not settle in selecting your DUI defense attorney. You should choose an attorney that will fight vigorously to defend your rights and has the attention to detail necessary to present the best defense for your case. The sooner you start working with a trusted Niles DUI lawyer, the better prepared you will be to maximize your chances of having the charges dismissed or the penalties minimized. You should not take any unnecessary chances with your constitutional rights or your future.
At Goldman & Associates, we are available 24/7 to take your call at (773) 484-3131. We will start fighting right away to handle your DUI charge.
