Picture of attorney David L. Freidberg,
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT HIM..."
Read More
"MY SON AND I ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR MR. FREIDBERG AND WHAT HE HAS DONE..."
Read More
"DAVID IS A PHENOMENAL LAWYER AND HIS CHARACTER SPEAKS WONDERS..."
Read More
"IF YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY IN CHICAGO, I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM IN A HEARTBEAT..."
Read More

by

Understanding the Real-World Impact of a DUI Conviction in Chicago

In Chicago and across Illinois, a DUI conviction can quietly affect nearly every aspect of your life long after you serve your sentence. From job opportunities to housing applications and even professional licensing, the shadow of a past DUI doesn’t easily fade. Unlike many criminal offenses that may be eligible for expungement or sealing after a certain period, a DUI sticks. That permanence leads many people to ask: Is there anything I can do to remove it from my record?

Unfortunately, the answer is almost always no if you were convicted. Illinois law is extremely strict about DUI-related offenses. Whether you were arrested in Cook County, DuPage, Will, or Lake County, a conviction for driving under the influence under 625 ILCS 5/11-501 is not eligible for sealing or expungement. However, not all hope is lost. The key is understanding when records might be cleared and taking early, aggressive steps to avoid a conviction in the first place.

Continue reading

by

It’s a scenario that catches many Chicago drivers off guard. You get pulled over, maybe for a minor infraction or no clear reason at all. You’re cooperative. You either pass or decline to take field sobriety tests. You’re not stumbling, you’re not slurring your speech, and you haven’t admitted to drinking. And still—you’re arrested for DUI.

How is that even possible in Illinois? The short answer: officer discretion. The longer answer involves Illinois DUI laws, the subjective nature of police observations, and the serious legal consequences that follow. At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we represent clients throughout Chicago and the surrounding counties who find themselves in this frustrating position. Just because you didn’t fail a test doesn’t mean your case isn’t serious—and it absolutely does not mean you should try to handle it on your own.

Understanding Illinois DUI Law and Arrest Authority

Continue reading

by

Red Eyes, Slurred Speech, and the Smell of Alcohol: Why You Shouldn’t Accept DUI Allegations at Face Value in Illinois

In Chicago and across Illinois, DUI charges often rely heavily on the arresting officer’s description of your behavior. Police reports may include allegations like “red eyes,” “unsteady gait,” or “slurred speech.” But those claims don’t automatically prove guilt. These observations are subjective, and they can be influenced by stress, allergies, medical conditions, or even poor lighting. If you’ve been charged with DUI in Illinois, and the case against you depends largely on what the officer saw, smelled, or heard, you have the right to fight back. And that starts with having the right defense attorney.

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we defend clients facing DUI charges throughout Chicago and the surrounding counties. We know how to cross-examine officers and undermine unreliable observations that may otherwise persuade a jury. We look beyond the arrest report and force the prosecution to provide actual, admissible proof.

Continue reading

by

Criminal Charges Move Fast in Illinois—You Need a Lawyer Faster

When you’re arrested in Chicago, everything changes in an instant. You’re taken into custody, booked, and suddenly under the control of the criminal justice system. But what happens next—and how it affects your future—depends on one critical decision: whether you hire a criminal defense lawyer right away.

Illinois criminal law doesn’t wait for you to get comfortable. The police report is filed within hours. The Cook County State’s Attorney evaluates your case almost immediately. Formal charges could be filed before you even see a judge. And once that happens, every word, action, or delay on your part could be used against you.

Continue reading

by

Few things are more stressful than learning that law enforcement is investigating you. Maybe a detective has left a card at your door. Maybe someone you know has been contacted by police. Maybe your workplace says you’re being reviewed. No matter how it starts, one fact remains true: waiting to act puts you in danger.

In Illinois, being under investigation means prosecutors and police are building a case. Even if you haven’t been arrested yet, the process is moving fast. And if you don’t have legal protection in place, you’re exposed. At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we intervene early—long before formal charges are filed. We know how to stop things before they spiral out of control.

The Anatomy of an Illinois Criminal Investigation

Continue reading

by

Facing a DUI charge in Chicago is not just about appearing in traffic court and paying a fine—it’s a criminal allegation that can impact your freedom, your job, your license, and your future. Chicago law enforcement is aggressive when it comes to prosecuting DUI cases, especially in areas near Wrigleyville, the West Loop, and the South Side. Whether your arrest occurred on I-90 near downtown or in a residential area in Cicero or Evanston, Illinois law treats DUI cases seriously, and so should you.

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we represent individuals charged with driving under the influence across Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County, and Will County. With decades of courtroom experience, we understand what matters most when choosing a DUI defense attorney—and what can make the difference between a conviction and a second chance.

Why DUI Cases in Illinois Demand More Than Just Legal Advice

Continue reading

by

Most people associate a DUI arrest with driving under the influence on the open road. But in Illinois, it doesn’t take a moving vehicle to face criminal charges. Police officers in Chicago and across Cook County routinely arrest individuals for DUI while they’re parked—sometimes without the engine even running. If this happened to you, you’re likely confused, frustrated, and wondering how this is even legal.

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, our firm’s criminal defense attorney has been defending people accused of driving under the influence for decades. And we can tell you—this type of arrest is more common than you might think. If you were sitting in your car after a night out and now find yourself charged with a serious crime, this article is for you. Illinois law does allow DUI charges in parked vehicles—but that does not mean you’re automatically guilty.

DUI Arrests Don’t Require Driving—Just “Control” of the Vehicle

Continue reading

by

What Illinois Drivers Need to Know

For many people in Chicago and throughout Illinois, the idea of sleeping in a parked car after a night out seems like the safe and responsible alternative to driving under the influence. After all, if you’re not behind the wheel with the engine running, how could that possibly lead to an arrest?

Unfortunately, Illinois law does not always reward caution. In fact, under current DUI statutes, it’s entirely possible to be charged—and convicted—of driving under the influence even if your car never moved an inch. At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we regularly represent individuals arrested under these circumstances, and we’ve seen just how aggressive police and prosecutors can be when they believe someone was in “actual physical control” of a vehicle while impaired.

Continue reading

by

Why You Can Still Be Charged Under DUI and Vehicle Laws

Many people in Chicago and across Illinois find themselves in police custody without ever putting a vehicle in gear. It sounds impossible—but it’s not only possible, it’s common. Illinois law allows the police to arrest you for DUI or other driving offenses even if your vehicle never moved an inch. The reason? A legal concept known as “actual physical control.”

At The Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, we represent people who are facing serious criminal charges because they were inside their own vehicle, parked, and allegedly under the influence—even if they were asleep or waiting for a ride. These situations feel unfair and often involve people who thought they were doing the responsible thing. Yet they can lead to charges, jail time, and a permanent record if not handled properly.

Continue reading

by

In the heart of Cook County, where criminal courts see a relentless flow of cases each day, the consequences of stepping into a courtroom without a criminal defense attorney are both immediate and long-lasting. From misdemeanor offenses like retail theft or public indecency to serious felonies such as aggravated assault or drug trafficking, the legal system in Illinois is unforgiving to those who aren’t properly defended. And in Chicago, where prosecutors are backed by extensive resources and training, you simply cannot afford to go it alone.

Illinois law divides crimes into two main categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are punishable by up to 364 days in county jail and include charges like battery (720 ILCS 5/12-3) or criminal damage to property under $500 (720 ILCS 5/21-1). While these may seem like minor offenses, a conviction can result in jail time, hefty fines, probation, and a criminal record that affects employment and housing. Felonies, on the other hand, range from Class 4 offenses—such as possession of a controlled substance (720 ILCS 570/402)—to Class X felonies, including armed robbery or predatory criminal sexual assault, which can result in decades behind bars without parole under 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5.

Many people charged with crimes believe their innocence will speak for itself. Others think their case is too small to justify hiring an attorney. But Illinois criminal court doesn’t work that way. The procedures are detailed, the stakes are high, and any mistake—missed deadlines, inappropriate statements, lack of motion filings—can permanently alter the outcome.

Continue reading
Contact Information
Chicago Office
70 W Madison St
#1450
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: (312) 560-7100
DuPage Office
140 Butterfield Rd
#1500
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Skokie Office
5250 Old Orchard Rd
#300
Skokie, IL 60077

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2025, Law Offices of David L. Freidberg, P.C.
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design