St. Charles, IL DUI Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Representing People Arrested for Intoxicated Driving in St. Charles, Illinois

An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) should be taken seriously. When you are taken into custody because you are suspected of intoxicated driving, you may face multiple types of penalties, including large fines, the suspension of your driver's license, and even the possibility of a jail sentence. Your life may be affected in many ways, including your employment, professional licensing, insurance rates, and your ability to manage daily responsibilities. Due to the stakes of these cases, it is important to take immediate steps to build a strong defense against a conviction with the help of a qualified attorney.

By getting in touch with Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. as soon as possible after your arrest, you can take steps to defend against a criminal conviction and minimize the ways your life may be affected. Our attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding a traffic stop and arrest, review the results of chemical tests, and identify the best strategies to use when addressing DUI charges. Our goal is to help you resolve your case successfully while avoiding long-term consequences that could affect your life and your finances.

In addition to addressing criminal charges, our attorneys can help you take steps to protect your driving privileges. We can provide representation in administrative hearings with the Illinois Secretary of State, advocating against the suspension of your driver's license or seeking a reinstatement. We can also advise you of your options for obtaining a monitoring device driving permit (MDDP) that will allow you to drive while using an ignition interlock device.

Issues That May Affect DUI Cases in Illinois

There are multiple elements that can impact the outcome of a DUI case. Understanding how these factors may affect your situation is essential to ensure that you can build a strong defense. Our lawyers can help address concerns related to:

Field Sobriety Tests

After pulling someone over, law enforcement officers will often ask them to perform certain tasks that are meant to determine whether the person is intoxicated. When performing these field sobriety tests, an officer may ask a driver to balance on one foot, walk in a straight line, or follow a moving object with their eyes.

These tests are supposed to gauge a driver's coordination and balance, as well as their ability to follow instructions. However, field sobriety tests are highly subjective, and there are many reasons why a person may "fail," including medical conditions, fatigue, or harsh weather. Our DUI defense attorneys can take steps to challenge these tests and show that your performance was not a valid indication of intoxication.

Chemical Testing of Breath, Blood, or Urine

After a person is arrested for DUI, they will usually be asked to submit to a chemical test to measure their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or the presence of drugs. These tests may include breathalyzer devices or lab tests of blood or urine samples. Drivers are required by law to take these tests, and a refusal will result in the automatic suspension of a person's driver's license. A test showing that a person had a BAC of at least .08 percent may be used as evidence when a person is charged with DUI.

While chemical tests may seem like strong evidence, there are many reasons that they may be challenged. Our lawyers can review records to determine whether the calibration of breathalyzer devices or the handling of urine or blood samples could have led to inaccurate results.

Marijuana and Other Drugs

In addition to DUI based on intoxication by alcohol, you could be charged with DUI based on the use of marijuana, prescription medications, illegal controlled substances, or a combination of different types of substances. While cannabis is now legal for adult recreational use in Illinois, you could be charged with DUI if the THC levels in your body are above a certain limit.

Proving that you were intoxicated based on the use of drugs may be difficult, since drugs can often remain in a person's system long after their effects have worn off. Our attorneys can help determine the best defense strategies, taking steps to demonstrate that evidence of your intoxication is inconclusive.

Aggravating Factors That Can Elevate DUI Charges

Certain elements of a DUI can lead to more severe charges or enhanced penalties. Our lawyers can help you determine the best ways to address aggravating factors such as:

• Child Passenger: Driving under the influence with a child under the age of 16 in the vehicle can increase the severity of charges, and the penalties of a conviction may include mandatory community service along with other consequences.
• Accidents and Injuries: If you are accused of causing an accident in which someone was injured or killed, you will likely face felony charges. A strong defense will be necessary to help defend against a conviction and reduce the impact of these accusations.
• Prior DUI Convictions: The penalties for a DUI conviction will increase significantly with each repeat offense. A third or subsequent DUI charge will always be classified as a felony, and you could be sentenced to one year or more in prison and fines of up to $25,000. Legal representation is crucial in these cases to help you avoid a felony conviction.

Contact Our St. Charles DUI Defense Lawyers

Whether you are facing DUI charges involving alcohol, marijuana, or other substances, Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. can provide the legal help you need to defend against a conviction and minimize the effects on your life. We will work with you to protect your rights and preserve your driving privileges. Contact our St. Charles DUI attorneys at 630-786-6062 to arrange a free consultation today.