What Are the DUI Penalties in Illinois for a First Time DUI With Drugs?
There are a range of penalties for a first time DUI in Illinois involving drugs.
For one, a first time DUI without any aggravating factors is a class A misdemeanor in Illinois. There is a range a punishment for any class A misdemeanor that a judge can impose, the maximum being 364 days in the county jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
However, as a first offender, you are eligible for what is known as court supervision. If you are found guilty or plead guilty, the judge will sentence you to a period of time (usually between 12 and 24 months). During that time, you would have to complete some counseling and attend a victim’s impact panel. The most important thing is NOT getting arrested during those months. At the end of the period, you will have to come back to court, show the judge you completed everything, as well as not picked up any new charges, and the case will be dismissed. Please contact a DUI attorney NOW to see if you qualify for this type of outcome.
Court supervision, however, can be stressful. You are still guilty, and now you are under the court’s power for the next 12 to 24 months. For some cases, court supervision can be an excellent outcome. But for someone who is NOT guilty, it is not so desirable. You will need a skilled DUI defense attorney to analyze your case and tell you whether you should attempt to negotiate for court supervision or fight it.
Also, DUI involving drugs still involves either a 6- or 12-month summary suspension. If you provided urine, blood, or other bodily fluids, and an illegal substance came back, or a prescription drug in which impaired you, or a certain amount of cannabis, then you are facing a six-month suspension. If you refused, then you will face a 12-month suspension.
You are still eligible for driving relief. Assuming you are a first offender, you can get a BAIID installed. However, the BAIID is used to detect alcohol consumption, not drugs. This may seem ridiculous, and it is. But it is the law as it stands right now.
Contact a knowledgeable DuPage County DUI defense attorney at Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. right away to see what you qualify for and to see if there is any way to stop the suspension from happening.
Police officers make many mistakes. You will need a knowledgeable DUI defense attorney at Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. to figure out the best way to fight this case.
Please do wait, and contact Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. immediately to get started. A DUI is severe., and you will probably have to fight it tooth and nail. Every little detail matters. Being found guilty of this type of offense is life-ruining.
