Lake County, IL DUI Defense Attorney

Defending Against Drunk Driving Charges in Buffalo Grove, Long Grove and Lincolnshire

Every driver has heard of DUI charges, and the potential penalties they could face if convicted for driving under the influence. Prosecutors and police often portray DUI charges as indefensible and devastating for the defendant. In reality, while DUI charges should be taken seriously, a skilled Buffalo Grove criminal lawyer can help you fight these charges. At the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we understand how to defend against DUI charges. Our DUI lawyer has successfully defended countless DUI charges in Lake County, and we can help you as well.

Attorney Matthew R. Gebhardt will work to reduce the stress a DUI arrest can cause you and your family, and has helped defend individuals facing important factors of criminal DUI cases, including:

• Felony DUI
• Multiple DUI
• Statutory Summary Penalty
• DUI Penalties
• Illinois DUI Law
• Chronology of a DUI Arrest
• DUI FAQs
• Aggravated DUI
• Driving While License Revoked
• MDDP Driving Permit
• Breathalyzer Defense
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) DUI
• DUI and Drug Use
• DUI with Injury/Accident
• Field Sobriety Tests
• First-Time DUI
• MDDP/BAIID

DUI Charges and Consequences in the State of Illinois

What does a DUI charge mean? A DUI, or driving under the influence, charge means that a defendant is charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Illinois state law treats a first offense as a misdemeanor, with a maximum penalty of a one-year jail sentence, fines up to $2,500, suspension of vehicle registration, and a minimum license revocation of at least one year.

A second DUI offense is also a misdemeanor, with a mandatory jail sentence between five and 240 days, fines up to $2,500, suspension of vehicle registration, and a minimum license revocation of at least five years (if the second offense was within 20 years of the first). With each addition DUI conviction, the potential maximum penalties increase. Additional charges may be brought if a driver’s blood alcohol content level (BAC) was over a certain amount, or if he or she drove under the influence with a minor in the vehicle.

Often, prosecutors rely on breath tests as evidence that a driver was operating a motor vehicle under the influence. While these tests (commonly referred to as breathalyzer tests) may seem to be solid evidence of wrongdoing, breathalyzers have a notorious reputation of inaccuracy. In fact, breathalyzers do not account for factors that may alter results, such as the driver’s age, weight, or medication consumption. When a breath test is improperly administered, or results are misinterpreted, seemingly solid evidence may be dismissed.

In addition to using breath tests to determine whether a driver is impaired or intoxicated, police officers also commonly depend on field sobriety tests and their own observations. Clearly, such tests rely on a great deal of subjectivity and are subject to simple human error. An experienced DUI lawyer can analyze the facts of your arrest, including the arresting officer’s conduct, and use that knowledge to craft a successful legal strategy.

Call a Skilled Lake County DUI Lawyer Now

Are you facing DUI charges in Illinois? If so, the The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. can assist you. Attorney Gebhardt has practiced criminal law for over 20 years, and even spent five years as a Cook County prosecutor. He has handled countless DUI cases, and will use that extensive knowledge to advocate for you. Contact our firm now for a free consultation at 773-383-8745 or 847-239-4703.