The Legal Gamble: What You Risk and What You Gain by Refusing a Breath Test in Illinois The flashing red and blue lights behind you, the sound of your own heartbeat pounding in your ears, and a uniformed officer asking you to take a breath test—it’s a moment that can…
You’ve just been pulled over by the police in Chicago. The lights are flashing, the officer is at your window, and soon after a series of questions, you’re being asked to take a breath test—or submit to blood or urine testing. You hesitate. Maybe you’ve had a drink or two.…
Most people believe that to be arrested for DUI in Illinois, you must be caught driving under the influence. But Illinois law says otherwise. You can be charged with DUI even if the engine is off and the car is in park. This is because Illinois law allows drivers to…
Field sobriety tests are designed to give law enforcement officers a tool to assess impairment, but they are not mandatory in Illinois. If you refused a field sobriety test during a DUI stop in Chicago, you did not break the law. Still, you may have been arrested anyway. Now you’re…
Every year in Chicago and throughout Illinois, thousands of drivers are pulled over on suspicion of DUI. Many of them are asked to perform field sobriety tests on the side of the road—tests that are difficult under the best of conditions, and often misunderstood by drivers. Some people refuse. Others…
If you’ve been arrested for DUI in Chicago and think you’ll be better off handling it on your own, think again. The reality is that trying to fight or resolve a DUI charge without legal representation can have serious, permanent consequences. What you don’t know about the Illinois DUI system…
Why Following Your Doctor’s Orders Isn’t Always a Legal Shield in DUI Cases In Illinois, DUI laws are often associated with alcohol or illegal drug use. But what many drivers across Chicago have learned the hard way is that you can also be charged with DUI for driving after taking…
You made the responsible choice. You drank, realized you shouldn’t drive, and decided to sleep it off in your car. But instead of being praised for your caution, you found yourself in handcuffs, arrested for DUI. It doesn’t make sense—until you realize that in Illinois, the law doesn’t require you…
Being the focus of a criminal investigation in Chicago can feel like you’re standing in the path of an oncoming storm. The police haven’t knocked on your door with handcuffs—but you’ve noticed signs. Someone told you detectives were asking about you. You’ve received a subpoena. You’ve been asked to “come…
Preventing Criminal Charges in Chicago: The Role of Pre-Charge Defense Chicago, Illinois, is no stranger to criminal accusations. In a city this large and complex, law enforcement receives thousands of complaints each year, from minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. Not all complaints turn into formal charges. In fact, there’s a…