DUI

Lower the legal limit to 0.05: NTSB recommends Illinois and other states follow suit

May 14, 2013
Thumbnail image for Lower the legal limit to 0.05: NTSB recommends Illinois and other states follow suit

In an historic vote, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended today that all 50 states lower the legal limit from 0.08 to 0.05 for driving under the influence. At the present time, all 50 states have a limit for the alcohol concentration in any person’s blood or breath of 0.08. Anyone who operates a motor [...]

Read the full article →

DUI and the police officer’s opinion under 11-501(a)(1) and (2)

July 9, 2012
Thumbnail image for DUI and the police officer’s opinion under 11-501(a)(1) and (2)

Driving under the influence is one of the very few crimes in which the defendant’s guilt or innocence depends almost completely on another person’s opinion. It is a troubling proposition that a court of law could impose a judgment on someone based on another’s subjective thoughts. But that is exactly what Illinois courts do for [...]

Read the full article →

Reckless driving in Illinois: the law and penalties

June 26, 2012
Thumbnail image for Reckless driving in Illinois: the law and penalties

A traffic ticket for reckless driving in Illinois can cause serious problems. First, the police officer can decide to, rather than ticket the offender, make an arrest and take the driver into custody. If this happens, the police officer will have the vehicle towed. The driver will have to pay a fee to get it [...]

Read the full article →

Illinois summary suspension for failing or refusing the breathalyzer

June 25, 2012
Thumbnail image for Illinois summary suspension for failing or refusing the breathalyzer

There is something inherently unfair about it law that allows a police officer to suspend a person’s driver’s license for DUI before he is found guilty. But this is the law in Illinois. A police officer can suspend a person’s license for failing or refusing chemical testing. Illinois courts recognize a concept called implied consent. [...]

Read the full article →

Illinois DUI laws for 2012 explained

May 29, 2012
Thumbnail image for Illinois DUI laws for 2012 explained

Driving under the influence is a criminal offense in Illinois. The first offense is generally a Class A misdemeanor. Under very rare circumstances, a first offense can be a felony. The statute for DUI is found in the vehicle code at 625 ILCS 5/11-501. Most cases are charged under 11-501(a)(1) for having an alcohol concentration [...]

Read the full article →

Grounds for disqualification of Illinois commercial driver’s licenses

February 11, 2012
Thumbnail image for Grounds for disqualification of Illinois commercial driver’s licenses

The Secretary of State can take away a commercial driver’s license for traffic violations. While a driver’s license can be suspended or revoked, a CDL is cancelled. A person whose CDL is cancelled usually can still drive a non-commercial motor vehicle. The fact that a CDL is cancelled does not automatically take away that person’s [...]

Read the full article →