What Is BAC And How Does It Affect A DUI?
March 21, 2023
When facing a DUI charge, drivers should be aware of what BAC means and how it can affect the charges laid against them.
Non-commercial drivers age 21+ are considered impaired when their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.
Drivers of commercial vehicles are impaired when their blood alcohol level is .04 percent or greater.
When facing a DUI charge, drivers should be aware of what BAC means and how it can affect the charges laid against them.
When you are pulled over by the police, it is important that you communicate with them clearly and do not anger them.
It is important for Illinois drivers to know their rights when it comes to field sobriety tests. Drivers can refuse to take a field sobriety test in Illinois.
Scott McClintock at McClintock Law wants you to know that hiring the right defense attorney when facing a DUI or DWI is a good decision. In this article, we will cover why hiring an attorney to help fight against your DUI or DWI charge is worth it.
Here is what every Illinois resident driver should know if they get pulled over and asked to take a field sobriety test.
Here is what every Illinois resident should know about the Pretrial Fairness Safe-T Act scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2023
Minimum fine of $500, if age of passenger is less than 16, $1,000 fine. Maximum fine is $2,500.
Minimum 10 days in jail, maximum 364 days.
Community service hours from 240 to 480 if passenger is under 16 years.
Minimum fine of $1,250 if BAC .16% or more.
Can be charged as Class 2 Felony with a possible sentence of between 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 10 days to 7 years of community service. With minimum of 90 days if BAC was .16% or more
Minimum fine of $2,500 and maximum fine of $25,000
License revoked for 10 years.
Note that all DUI offenders who had a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle at the time of offense must complete 25 days community service in a children benefiting program.Â
The legal limits in Illinois on a breathalyzer is 0.08. That equates to about 2 drinks an hour, depending on your weight, metabolism and prior consumption. Remember what Scott always says, 2 is super, 3 take an uber.Â
If an officer believes that you are under the influence, they can request you to conduct field sobriety tests. The first test consists of the HGN test, which is to test and track your eyes. The second test is the walk and turn. The third test is the one leg stand. If you fail to comply with these tests, the officer can request that you do chemical tests. You can also be arrested if there are other signs of impairment such as erratic driving, balance issues, slurred speech, bloodshot eyes.Â
If you are charged with a DUI and there is a minor in your car, you can also be charged with child endangerment, which carries a possible maximum sentence of 365 days in jail, or a fine of up to $2,500. Collaterally, DCFS will also open investigation if you have a job with children. It can stay on your record for almost 10 years.Â
DUI penalties actually escalate the more arrests you have.
First Time Offense
You're looking at jail time of up to 365 days and a fine of $2,500 plus mandatory fees in the state of Illinois.
Second Time or Repeat Offense
If this is your second repeated offense, we're talking about mandatory jail time, minimum 5 days community service and a fine up to $2,500.
Third Time Offense
Can be Class 2 Felony, which carries a possible sentence of 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.Â
