Experienced DUI Defense Lawyers Representing Northern Illinois

If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Cook County, Kane County or anywhere else in northern Illinois, it is important to talk to an experienced defense lawyer as soon as possible. The consequences of a drunk driving conviction can include steep fines, driver’s license suspension, probation and even jail time. Rather than leaving your fate to chance, contact our experienced defense attorneys at Cohen, Donahue & Morales.

Attorney Todd D. Cohen has received certification from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and has additionally been trained in standardized field sobriety tests. Attorney Cohen’s extra accreditations, in combination with his years of experience as a criminal defense lawyer, allow him to prepare effective DUI defense strategies for his clients.

Doing Everything In Our Power To Protect The Rights Of Our Clients

Our lawyers have extensive experience defending clients against DUI charges in Illinois. We aggressively attack the evidence, searching for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against our clients. Some of the elements we look at include:

• The stop: Police cannot legally pull you over based on a hunch or a guess. They must have reasonable suspicion that you have committed or are about to commit a crime.
• The field sobriety test: Our attorneys are trained in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards and guidelines for field sobriety tests. This advanced training gives us valuable insight when determining if police properly and fairly administered the test during a DUI stop.
• The breath test: Was the Breathalyzer machine properly calibrated and operated by trained personnel? Mistakes by police and malfunctioning equipment can render breath test evidence inadmissible.

Our lawyers have a proven record of success in helping clients avoid the harsh consequences of drunk driving convictions. We will do everything in our power to protect your rights, your driver’s license and your future.

Has your driver’s license been revoked? We can guide you through the process of getting it reinstated.

There Are At Least Six Recognized DUI Scenarios In Illinois

DUI charges can involve impairment by alcohol, drugs or some combination of the two. Under Illinois law, you can be charged with DUI under at least six scenarios, or “types” of DUI. They include:

Type 1: Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit of .08%

Type 2: Being under the influence and unsafe to drive despite having a BAC below .08%

Type 3: Driving unsafely while under the influence of one or more “intoxicating compounds”

Type 4: Driving under the influence of prescription drugs, even if legally prescribed and taken in the prescribed dose

Type 5: DUI involving a combination of alcohol and drug impairment

Type 6: Driving with a prohibited concentration of THC (from cannabis) in your bloodstream within two hours of driving. Prohibited levels are 5 or more nanograms in a blood test and 10 or more nanograms in a saliva or urine test.

It is also important to note that you can be charged with DUI even if you weren’t driving. In Illinois, an impaired person can be charged with DUI if they were in “actual physical control” of the vehicle, meaning they were capable of operating it. An example would be sitting in an idling and parked vehicle while running the heat or air conditioning but not driving.

Illinois Has Some Of The Toughest Laws On Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs

DUI driving is a significant problem in Illinois, and law enforcement will conduct drug testing on suspected violators. The court will factor in the results of your test to determine your innocence. If you are cited for driving under the influence of marijuana, a prescription drug that can impair you or any other drug, you can face the following:

• High fines
• Jail time
• License suspension or revocation

Strict laws are in place to reduce the risk of fatalities and accidents, and the court will attempt to make an example out of you for a conviction. It is in your best interest to prepare an effective legal defense with one of our elite criminal defense lawyers.

You Can Be Charged With DUI Involving Drugs Even When Sober

Drugs can remain in your system for more than a 24-hour period, and some may remain in your system for weeks. A citation for driving under the influence of drugs will involve a drug test and sobriety testing. Yet, if you were sober at the time of your arrest, you may still be at risk of losing your driving privileges. To prevent a conviction from limiting your freedom, consult one of our experienced criminal defense lawyers.

Our legal team of trial attorneys use their skill and knowledge to review cases. They pick apart the prosecution’s case and identify your best possible resolutions. Our team is hands-on and readily available to you when you need us.

Contact Cohen, Donahue & Morales When You Need Strong DUI Defense

From our offices in Palatine and Elgin, our firm serves clients throughout northern Illinois. Contact us online or by telephone at 847-780-2688 to arrange your free initial consultation. We work hard to be accessible to our clients because everyone deserves a strong defense. Se habla español.