Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
The Hours Immediately After a DUI Arrest Can Affect Your Entire Case
A DUI arrest in Lake County Illinois often happens suddenly and without warning. A driver may be returning home after dinner in Libertyville, traveling along Route 41 near Waukegan, or driving through Gurnee or Vernon Hills when police initiate a traffic stop. Within minutes, the situation can escalate from a routine stop to an arrest for driving under the influence. Many people facing this situation have never been arrested before and are unsure what happens next.
Illinois law prohibits driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds under 625 ILCS 5/11-501. This statute also makes it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater. A first DUI offense is generally prosecuted as a Class A misdemeanor, though aggravating factors may elevate the charge to a felony. Because Illinois law treats DUI seriously, even a first offense can lead to fines, probation, alcohol treatment requirements, and license suspension.
