Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
How Felony DUI Charges Arise in Chicago
Chicago’s roads are busy day and night, from the Kennedy Expressway to Lake Shore Drive. Police are constantly patrolling for impaired driving, especially on weekends and holidays. A first or even second DUI arrest in Illinois is usually treated as a misdemeanor under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(a), but specific circumstances can transform a misdemeanor into a felony offense, called an Aggravated DUI. The distinction carries enormous consequences — both legally and personally.
As a Chicago DUI defense lawyer, I’ve represented countless clients who were shocked to learn that a single arrest could expose them to prison time. The key factor is not just alcohol concentration but the conditions surrounding the offense. Prior convictions, a suspended license, an injury accident, or the presence of a child passenger can all push the charge into felony territory under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d).
