Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
In a city like Chicago, where traffic congestion and limited parking are everyday problems, many people are turning to electric scooters and bikes for quick, affordable transportation. These devices are especially common in neighborhoods like Logan Square, the Loop, Hyde Park, and Wicker Park. However, what most riders don’t expect is that riding an e-scooter or electric bike after drinking or using cannabis could result in a DUI charge — the same charge someone would face for drunk driving a car.
Illinois DUI laws apply more broadly than many realize. In fact, you don’t need to be in a traditional car or truck to be arrested. If police believe you were impaired while operating any motorized device that qualifies as a “vehicle,” you could be charged, arrested, and prosecuted. And the penalties aren’t lighter just because the ride was smaller.
This article explains how DUI charges can apply to scooters and e-bikes in Illinois, what penalties you could face, how law enforcement builds cases, and why hiring a criminal defense attorney immediately after your arrest is essential to protecting your record and future.
