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Same Sex Legal Offers Advice on Illinois DUI Laws
By: Todd Sivia, SLBS (Edwardsville)
“Even in an age of anti-drunk-driving organizations
and awareness commercials, people still violate laws against drunk driving.”
If public service messages and ads reminding citizens to "drink responsibly" don't work, it may be helpful to realize the legal consequences of driving under the influence.
Drivers who are suspended either for having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, or for refusing to submit to the breathalyzer test may not receive permission to drive to and from work or school. Instead, suspended drivers must get monitoring device driving permits (MDDP) for the duration of their suspension, which requires a Blood Alcohol Interlock Ignition device (BAIID) in the car at all times. While the monitoring device driving permit is far more expensive to the driver, it is also less restrictive. Previously, suspended drivers, upon receiving a Judicial Driving Permit (JDP), were allowed only to drive to and from work, school, or for medical purposes only. As of 2009, with an MDDP, the driver may drive at any time, as long as the device is installed on his or her car.
Summary suspension periods are doubled under the new Illinois law, which means that drivers who have 0.08 or over blood alcohol content (BAC) will automatically have their driving privileges suspended for six months instead of three months, regardless of the outcome of their DUI case. Drivers who refuse to submit to breathalyzer testing will have their driving privileges suspended for a full year
These new penalties and procedures mean that anyone accused or convicted of an Illinois DUI will face even higher fees than before. The installation of the BAIID device is very expensive and it is the driver's responsibility to pay all costs associated with it.
If you are facing the consequences of DUI laws and need to know what to do next, please call or email our office today. Our attorneys understand the legal implications of your mistakes and can help you get back on track.
