Illinois Bill Would Make it a Felony if Police Dog Killed in DUI Crash

 Posted on April 19, 2021 in DUI

Driving under the influence (DUI) is penalized heavily in Illinois – especially if another person is hurt or killed in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver. If great bodily harm results from a DUI car crash, the driver may face felony charges for aggravated DUI and up to three years in prison. If death results from a DUI accident, the driver faces a prison sentence of up to seven years. However, DUI resulting in the death of an animal is not currently an offense under Illinois law. Proponents of House Bill 3019 hope to change this.

Death of Illinois Police Dog Prompts New Bill

Illinois Deputy Robert Rosenkranz was in the middle of a routine traffic stop when an allegedly intoxicated driver struck the back of his police cruiser. The officer’s police K9 “Loki” was in the backseat of the police car. Unfortunately, the dog did not survive the accident. The loss of Loki represented a personal loss to the officers who worked alongside the K9 officer. It also meant losing the many years of training that went into teaching Loki to perform K9 duties. In response to Loki’s death, State Representative Joe Sosnowski filed a bill to make killing a police dog an elevated offense under Illinois law.

DUI Resulting in the Death of a Police or Service Animal May Be a Felony

Currently, driving under the influence is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by a year-long driver’s license suspension, a fine of up to $2,500, and up to a year of jail time. A second or subsequent DUI is penalized more harshly. If House Bill 3019 passes, killing a service animal or police dog while driving under the influence would be a Class 4 felony punished by a maximum of three years in jail and a fine up to $25,000. Having any type of criminal record can have a massive impact on a person’s life. Felony convictions often have especially significant consequences. Being convicted of a felony can substantially influence an individual’s personal reputation, employment options, and housing opportunities.

Contact a Joliet DUI Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with driving under the influence, contact the Law Offices of Tedone and Morton, P.C. for help. Our team of experienced Will County criminal defense attorneys knows how seriously a DUI conviction can affect your life. We are prepared to help you defend yourself against the charges. To learn more, schedule a free, confidential consultation today. Call our Plainfield office at 815-733-5350 or our Joliet office at 815-666-1285.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-501

https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/state/2021/04/16/house-bill-makes-killing-k-9-while-under-influence-felony/7244975002/