A lot. Broadly speaking, your quality of life will be lowered by a conviction of a DUI in Illinois. The law in Illinois is quite strict on DUI offenses, which is why you need to take your case seriously. But, beyond the fines or possible time in jail, other effects may have far-reaching consequences.
A minor inconvenience is the suspension of your driver’s license for up to one year for a first offense. Getting from one place to another may be challenging if you cannot drive yourself, but that should probably be the least of your worries.
Your reputation is at stake
Driving under the influence is considered reckless behavior, and depending on your profession, a conviction may not be good for business. For instance, potential clients might have a negative perception of you following a DUI conviction, which will likely affect your career.
A tainted criminal record
A DUI conviction will follow you around forever, with every background check you have. This may come back to haunt you endlessly when you are looking for a new job or an apartment which requires a clear criminal record.
Higher insurance premiums
Drunk drivers have a higher risk of causing accidents which is why your insurance premiums are likely to go up following a DUI conviction. Having to deal with such unexpected expenses can take a toll on your finances.
The importance of going against your charges
Much is at stake following a DUI conviction, and all your efforts should be geared towards mounting a successful defense of your case. With the necessary knowledge of the law, you can successfully navigate your DUI and beat the charges you are facing. However, it takes having a good strategy in place and careful analysis of the evidence presented against you by the prosecution.