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What to Do When Your Teen Is Charged with a DUI in Illinois

What to Do When Your Teen Is Charged with a DUI in Illinois

As parents, we like to know that our children aren’t just safe—we also like to know that they’re not doing anything that could harm others. Unfortunately, you might have let your child out with friends, only to get a call later that they’ve been arrested for drinking and driving. 

Many people don’t know what to do when their teen is charged with a DUI in Illinois. This can be a scary time for you and your child. Fortunately, your lawyer can help. 

Legal Limits for Teen Drivers

If your child is underage, they may be facing strict DUI laws, and the results could haunt them for months or years after the case. Illinois is a zero-tolerance state, which means that if your teen has any measurable amount of alcohol in their system, they could be arrested and charged with a DUI. 

Worse, they may have tried to refuse a sobriety test, which resulted in an automated suspension. Implied consent laws state that if you have a drivers license, you consent to a sobriety test, which could mean your child is in trouble. Their Illinois license may be suspended for up to six months if they refuse a sobriety test. 

Penalties for Underage DUI 

The penalties can be harsh, too, if your child is under twenty-one and convicted of a DUI. For a first DUI conviction, their license could be revoked for a minimum of two years. 

A revocation is more serious than a suspension, too. A suspension would mean getting their license back at the end of the suspension after paying a fee. If your teen’s license is revoked, they will have to retake their driving test after the minimum time period is up.

Helping Your Teen Avoid a DUI Conviction 

Protecting your child’s future is important, which is why you and an Illinois DUI lawyer may be needed as soon as your child is arrested. Your lawyer can explain how to post your child’s bail, and from there, they can prepare a defense for you and your child in the courtroom. 

For example, your teenager might not have been driving the car, or they may have a health condition, like diabetes, which has some similarities to drunkenness. For example, type 1 diabetics having a blood sugar problem may have slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and even breath that smells like alcohol. 

Once you have a defense, your attorney can take your child’s case to court. Your lawyer should fight for your family, helping your teen get their charges reduced or dismissed when possible. 

Contact an Illinois DUI Lawyer for Your Teen

If your child has been pulled over and arrested for drunk driving, it can be tough to help your teenager through this difficult time. Fortunately, your attorney will know what to do when your teen is charged with a DUI in Illinois. 

If you’re concerned about your child’s future, reach out for help from the attorneys at Chicago Trusted Attorneys™. An underage DUI conviction can come with harsh penalties, so reach out and help your child get the right lawyer. To learn more about our services, call 312-519-3171 or complete the online form below. 

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Courthouses in the Chicago Area

Courthouses in the Chicago Area

If you’ve been summoned to court, it’s important to know where you’re going. Failure to appear in the right courthouse could land you in serious trouble. The problem is, there are plenty of courthouses in the Chicago area to choose from. 

If you’re heading to court soon, talk to your defense lawyer about your case. They can help you find the right courthouse and to face your case while there.

Bridgeview, Illinois, Courthouse

Bridgeview Courthouse covers the legal disputes within much of southwestern Cook County. This court oversees hearings for civil claims, marriages, misdemeanor hearings, and some preliminary felony hearings. 

Cook County Criminal Court

This courthouse hears felony trials for Cook County. If you’re a Chicago resident, or a resident of a nearby town, you may need to appear in this court if you’re on trial for a felony. 

Cook County Criminal Court in Chicago, IL

Chicago’s Cook County Criminal Court, also called George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse, oversees serious criminal cases that happen in Chicago and Cook County at large. That includes cases like armed robbery, murder, and criminal sexual assault. Keep in mind that certain cases on sexual assault and domestic violence may be seen in a different courthouse, so check with your Chicago defense attorney before making the drive. 

Daley Center Courthouse

The Richard J. Daley Center is the Circuit Court of Cook County. This court can hear most trials and decide most cases brought forward. If you’re not sure your case will be seen here, talk to your Chicago area trial lawyer about your case. 

Domestic Violence Court in Chicago

The Domestic Violence Courthouse oversees many domestic violence cases in Chicago, and it’s built with victims in mind. There are victims-only elevators available, as well as secured waiting rooms and childcare areas. You may even request a tour of the courthouse before your trial.

DuPage County Courthouse

This courthouse oversees the claims and cases brought forward in DuPage County. That includes small claims, adoption information, traffic court, and expungement options.

Maywood, IL, Courthouse

The Maywood Courthouse is also the Fourth Municipal District Court in Illinois. This courthouse oversees many case types, from civil lawsuits and small claims to marriage and civil union court. This courthouse may also oversee misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Felony cases are typically handled in other courts. 

Rolling Meadows Courthouse

Rolling Meadows Courthouse is the Third Municipal District Court in Illinois. This court handles many of the civil lawsuits and family law cases in the northwestern towns of Cook County. Keep in mind that this court does not handle probate cases. 

Skokie Courthouse

The Skokie Courthouse covers cases in the Second Municipal District in Illinois. This court sees many criminal and traffic cases. While most felony hearings are handled by other courts, this courthouse does see most misdemeanors and petty crimes, as well as probation hearings, domestic violence hearings, and bond court. 

Contact a Chicago Defense Attorney before Heading to Court

If you’re dealing with a legal dispute, make sure you know what courthouse you’re heading to by talking to your attorney. A Chicago trial lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys™ can make sure you end up in the right place on the right date, with all the evidence you need to make a case for reducing or dismissing your charges. 

To get to the right place and fight back for your future, call 312-519-3171 or complete the online form below. 

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Arrested for DUI but Not Drunk? You Can Fight Back

Arrested for DUI but Not Drunk? You Can Fight Back

An arrest is already an embarrassing situation, and to be arrested for drinking and driving can feel even worse. You’re now in serious trouble, and that can affect your future. The problem is, you might not have even been drunk. 

If you were arrested for a DUI but were not drunk, you can fight back against these charges. Officers can make mistakes, but if you don’t fight back, those mistakes can hurt you for years to come. Fortunately, you have a chance to fight your charges and protect your future. Reach out now if you’re struggling with your case and with proving you hadn’t been drinking. 

Proving You Weren’t Drunk

If you’re pulled over, especially at night, the police officer might already be looking for signs that you were drinking. They might have pulled you over for suspicious behavior, like weaving between lanes or failing to signal, but physical signs might be included in the report. Bloodshot eyes, the smell of alcohol, and slurred speech could all be signs of intoxication. 

However, those signs don’t mean you were drunk. Health conditions could cause all these symptoms, and a police officer might not recognize that. Your Illinois attorney, however, may be able to use evidence of an illness in your favor.

Keep in mind, too, that the sobriety test you take may be the key to fighting your DUI. If your blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, level was below the legal limit, you may have the evidence you need to show that you shouldn’t have been arrested. 

Your DUI Trial

Once you have the evidence that you weren’t drunk, it’s time to start fighting back. You should have a chance to face the arresting officer in court to defend yourself against these charges. 

However, it’s important that you have a DUI lawyer on your side. When you choose to fight your charges on your own, you might have access to the information you need, but it’s still your word against the arresting officer’s. Sadly, that means that it can still be tough to avoid a DUI, even if you weren’t drunk. 

If your future is on the line, it’s best not to take chances. You could lose your license, face incarceration and fines, and suffer major penalties to your insurance. Affording insurance might even be impossible after your case if you don’t have someone on your side to gather evidence and argue for your future. 

Contact a DUI Lawyer to Fight Back

False allegations of a DUI can upset your life in a lot of ways. You weren’t even drinking or weren’t over the legal BAC limit, but now you’re in serious trouble. The best way to fight your charges may mean getting a lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys™ to defend you. 

If you were arrested for a DUI but weren’t drunk, you can fight back, but that can be tough on your own. Instead, you can reach out for help from an Illinois DUI lawyer. If you’ve been charged with driving while under the influence, you’ll need someone on your side to help you recover, so make sure you have the right guidance on your defense team. 

If you’ve been unfairly stopped and arrested, reach out for help from an attorney, starting with a consultation about your case. Reach out by calling 312-519-3171 or by completing the online form below. 

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How to Find Out if Someone Is in Police Custody in Chicago

If a loved one hasn’t come home, you might be worried that they’re now in police custody. You might be concerned about a warrant, or you might suspect that they could have been arrested for certain actions. Now, you’re not sure if they’ve been taken into custody. 

You need to know how to find out if someone is in police custody in Chicago. The sooner you find out, the sooner you can help them post bail and get started on their criminal case. Fortunately, you have options to find your loved one. That way, you can then focus on their future, not on their location. 

Arrest Records and the Police Station

If you suspect that someone you know has been arrested, you may be able to find out online whether this is true. Chicago’s police department does offer some records on arrests, which can help you find the person you’re looking for. 

You may also be able to contact the police station and ask if the person is being held there. This is especially important if your child or a minor in your care is possibly in custody. If you can get answers about whether they’re there now, you can get the right resources and even a Chicago juvenile defense attorney for them right away. 

Contacting an Attorney

In some cases, it can be tough to get answers about the person in custody. If you’re unable to determine whether they are in police custody, you may need a Chicago criminal defense lawyer to help you get in touch with your family member or other loved one. 

Your lawyer should have the resources for more than finding whether they’ve been arrested. Your attorney can also help you get a bail bond for the person. That way, you can find them, provide bail, and get them out of jail as soon as possible. 

A lawyer is also a major resource for representation and legal protection. Anything said by the person in custody can be used against them in court, so seeking out an attorney now to protect them can help them. Because of this, it may be best to speak to a lawyer now about finding your loved one. 

Get Help from a Chicago Lawyer after an Arrest

Sometimes, our family members, roommates, significant others, or even children can land themselves in major trouble. When that happens, you might suspect legal trouble. Unfortunately, you might not have known until now how to find out if someone is in police custody in Chicago. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to have all the answers. Instead, you can seek out help from an attorney at Chicago Trusted Attorneys™. These lawyers will have the tools you need to hopefully help you find the person in question and get them the help they need. 

If you’re struggling to find someone and you’re concerned about their current status, reach out for a lawyer by calling 312-519-3171 or by completing the following online form. 

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Consequences for Underage DUI in Illinois

A drunk driving arrest is already serious enough for adults, who have some leeway for error. If you’re over twenty-one, you’ll need to stay under a certain limit (.08 is the legal limit in Illinois) to safely drive. For those under the age of twenty-one, there is zero tolerance for drinking and driving. 

Unfortunately, that means your child might be facing consequences for underage DUI in Illinois. When this happens, you’ll need to act now to deal with those penalties. If not, you and your child could be dealing with the consequences of the DUI case for years after a conviction. 

Penalties for a Conviction

A DUI conviction is almost always severe. Driving under the influence is a misdemeanor in Illinois, which means that jail time and fines are a possibility. Sadly, that’s true even if you (or your child) are under twenty-one.

If your child is convicted for a first-time offense, they could possibly face up to a year in jail. If there are any aggravating factors, that’s especially true. For example, if their blood-alcohol content was above the adult legal limit, they may face harsher penalties. 

They could also have up to $2,500 in fines. If they’re between sixteen and twenty, that debt may be added to their burden along with student debt. Worse, they may not be able or old enough to work, meaning that you’ll need to cover those fines for them, or they’ll be left dealing with them long after the conviction. Unfortunately, the penalties won’t end there. 

You Could Lose Your License

If your child is convicted of an underage DUI, that penalty will remain on their record and affect their license for a minimum of two years. A license suspension leaves them unable to drive, which means difficulty finding transportation to school or work. They may still be unable to drive by the time they graduate college or are able to legally drink. 

Worse, they can lose their license for refusing a sobriety test, too. In Illinois, drivers are subject to implied consent, which means that you consent to a sobriety test if you have a license. If your child refused a breathalyzer or other test, their driver’s license may be automatically suspended.

That’s why it’s important to understand the potential penalties before you act. That way, you know what to expect, and you know how to respond when it’s your future or your child’s future on the line in Illinois. 

Talk to an Illinois Lawyer about an Underage DUI

If your child was pulled over for drinking and driving, you’ll need to act now to protect their future. You and your family could face the consequences for an underage DUI in Illinois for years to come. That puts a strain on you and your loved ones that you don’t need, but it’s one that you can defend yourself from with help from an Illinois juvenile defense attorney. 

At Chicago Trusted Attorneys, we understand how tough fighting an underage DUI can be. Fortunately, we also have the tools you’ll need to stand the best chance of getting these underage drunk driving charges dismissed. If your child has been arrested and you’re struggling to recover, reach out for help by calling 312-519-3171 or by completing the following online form.