DUI Lawyer Bloomington, IL
Receiving a DUI can come with severe consequences when convicted, making representation from a DUI lawyer in Bloomington, IL, a critical next step. After a charge, many experience a rollercoaster of emotions, sadness, frustration, guilt, shame. When law enforcement pulls over a driver for suspected drunk driving, these feelings may begin to take hold. However, law enforcement must have probable cause and follow the proper procedural requirements during this process. Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can provide crucial legal support as our team will carefully review interactions with law enforcement to ensure that no mistakes were made. No person wants to have the consequences of a DUI conviction follow them around for the long term. Unfortunately, a DUI can be one of the longest hangovers drivers may experience, and the penalties they may be facing can forever change the course of their lives. Our team can provide support by protecting our clients’ rights and developing legal strategies aimed at mitigating the consequences they may be facing.
Illinois DUI Penalties
Drivers who consume alcohol and get behind the wheel are at risk of facing severe consequences if they are pulled over and charged with a DUI by law enforcement. Any driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher may be charged in Illinois. Penalties for DUI convictions can have several consequences. Judgments handed down by the court could result in jail time, costly fines, loss of license, and community service. It’s important to note that these penalties could be more severe if the driver has past DUI convictions on their record or a BAC that is much higher than .08%. In addition, there may also be social consequences, such as the inability to drive even for necessary reasons, difficulty obtaining employment, and have a substantial impact on personal relationships. While there is nothing a person charged with a DUI can do to turn back the hands of time, there are ways that they can take control of the situation to receive the best outcome possible. This process starts by reaching out to an experienced Bloomington, IL, DUI lawyer.
How Law Enforcement Obtain Probable Cause
It’s essential to be aware that police do not have the authority to pull people over for no reason. During a traffic stop for a DUI, law enforcement must have reasonable suspicion that the driver in question is under the influence. To do so, they will look for signs that the driver is impaired; this could be weaving in and out of traffic, speeding, etc. In some cases, this behavior may give the officer another reason to pull the driver over as they violate traffic laws that constitute issuing a ticket. Probable cause provides the officer with the ability to arrest the driver for a DUI. For probable cause, law enforcement will likely speak with the driver after pulling them over and assessing them for signs that they are driving under the influence. They may observe the driver to have slurred speech, glassy eyes, or smell of alcohol. At this point, they may request that the driver engages in field sobriety tests or a breathalyzer test. These offer key evidence for an officer to prove the driver was driving under the influence. Should the driver fail to pass these tests, law enforcement will likely arrest the driver and charge them with a DUI.
Contacting a DUI Lawyer
No person who has been charged with a DUI should endure the legal process without an experienced lawyer to represent them. While many who have been charged will have concern over the costs associated with hiring a lawyer, their legal services are well worth the price. A lawyer may be able to reduce charges or have charges dropped altogether. The consequences of a conviction are costly, and a lawyer from Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can listen to the client’s needs and determine the appropriate course of action. If you have recently been charged with a DUI, it’s essential to swiftly take action by contacting our Bloomington, IL DUI lawyer as soon as possible.
