Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Most people arrested for driving under the influence in Illinois assume they’re facing a misdemeanor. It’s a natural assumption—especially for first-time offenders. You get pulled over, maybe you fail a field sobriety test or blow slightly over the limit, and you figure the penalties will be manageable. A fine. Maybe a license suspension. Possibly court supervision.
But Illinois law has a way of turning even an ordinary DUI arrest into a felony—sometimes before you even know what happened. Under the right set of facts, a basic DUI charge can escalate quickly into a criminal case that carries years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, mandatory license revocation, and a permanent felony record.
We’ve seen it happen to business owners in River North, delivery drivers on the South Side, and parents heading home from a dinner in the suburbs. A single misstep can lead to a felony charge, and if you don’t act fast, your options will vanish. That’s why it’s critical to understand how aggravating factors work under Illinois law—and how a skilled defense lawyer can help you avoid the worst.
