Illinois DUI Lawyer Fees & Fee Payment:
Given the possible penalties for DUI, hiring a DUI lawyer based on price alone can be a tremendous mistake. Realistically, attorneys who charge rock bottom fees will do exactly that much work, and not a dime's worth more. The highly qualified Illinois DUI attorneys at Fagan, Fagan & Davis offer a free consultation, face to face, before we set a fee. We examine your DUI arrest, and the exact situation you face. You walk out knowing the legal pitfalls of your Illinois DUI, your options and your next step. We let you know, up front what legal fees and expenses to expect for our best efforts defending your Illinois DUI and suspended drivers license. We charge flat fees appropriate to your case, allowing us to guarantee we'll dedicate the proper amount of time to your defense.
Fagan, Fagan and Davis accepts fee payment by cash, check, or charge using any credit card accepted by Paypal at our mirror website, at www.MyAttorneysOnline.com/pay-legal-fee.htm.
Find out more about our firm at www.MyAttorneysOnline.com and more about Illinois DUI law in general.
What to do when facing an Illinois DUI Arrest:
Attitude:
First and most importantly always be respectful to police officers. They will attempt to use attitude, yours or theirs, to open your mouth and get you to make statements which can be used against you to prove DUI in court. That's their JOB, and they are skilled! Under Illinois law, until you are arrested, anything you say is fair game, and they don't need to warn you of your right to remain silent until that point to use those statements! You also need to remember that underneath their professional demeanor, police officers are people who respond to disrespect the same way you or I do, and on the street, they have all the power you give them. Let your lawyer do the fighting - that's what an attorney is for!
Speech:
Second, do not make any statements beyond information that can be found on your driver license! Memorize - "I respectfully decline to make any statements." Nothing will get you arrested faster than saying "sure officer, I've had a few, but I'm not that drunk!" Again, let your lawyer do the talking later.
Actions
Third, all street side field sobriety tests, including the test where you follow the officer's finger or pen from side to side with your eyes, as well as the portable breath test on the street, should be politely refused. This information can be used against you in court in Illinois either to prevent your attorney from addressing your suspended license, or to assist in prosecution of your DUI case.
Breath or Chemical Test
Fourth, in general, breath or chemical testing should be refused unless you are absolutely certain you will test under the legal limit. The legal limit in Illinois for alcohol is .08, and the legal limit for drug based DUI is the presence of any narcotic substance. Blowing under the legal limit does not mean you will not be arrested and charged for DUI. Although refusing breath or chemical testing will subject you to significantly more severe license suspension penalties, if you follow all four of these rules, we have a much better chance of getting your license back altogether, as well as winning the DUI case itself. Also, a positive test above the threshold will result in additional DUI charges. If you are under twenty-one, any positive result will result in a suspended license, but so will a refusal.
DUI Penalties
Considering the possible penalties for Illinois DUI, the services of a knowledgeable Illinois DUI lawyer are imperative. Call 847-635-8200 for a free consultation.
- An Illinois DUI charge, in most situations, is a class A misdemeanor punishable by;
- up to $2500 in fines;
- up to 364 days in jail;
- a minimum one year revocation of driving privileges for a first DUI conviction;
- a five year revocation for a second DUI conviction, ten for a third, lifetime for a fourth Illinois DUI conviction.
- In some cases, felony criminal charges may apply, for example;
- where an accident occurs causing serious bodily harm to someone other than the accused;
- where the defendant has been found guilty of two or more prior DUI charges;
- where the defendant is accused of committing DUI while the defendant's drivers license is suspended or revoked because of a prior DUI arrest;
- All Illinois DUI arrest arising from driving or physical control of any vehicle occurring on any public highway or road will result in a summary suspension of drivers license for a minimum of three months, and as many as three years, in some cases without the possibility of driving relief.