Will My Driver’s License Be Revoked If I Am Charged With DUI?
Drunk driving causes thousands of accidents each year in the United States. In an effort to curb driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, states have instituted harsh penalties for impaired drivers. Under Illinois law, anyone who drives a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol faces several criminal and administrative penalties. If you are convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), you may face revocation of your driver’s license. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help reduce your charges and reinstate your driving privileges.
Penalties for Being Arrested and Charged with Drunk Driving
Most drunk driving arrests happen during a traffic stop. If police suspect that you are under the influence, he or she will likely use a handheld breath test such as a Breathalyzer to test your breath for alcohol. The officer may also ask you to complete a field sobriety test during which you perform balance and coordination-based tasks. If your blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 percent or more or you are notably impaired, you may be arrested and charged with DUI.
If this is your first DUI charge, you face an immediate six-month driver’s license suspension called a statutory summary suspension. Once your driver’s license has been suspended, you may not drive any motor vehicle by law. Once the suspension period ends, you are permitted to drive. However, if you are convicted of driving under the influence, you may face driver’s license revocation, which differs significantly from a license suspension.
Drivers Convicted of DUI May Have Their Licenses Revoked
Being charged with a crime is not the same thing as being convicted of a crime. A person who is charged with DUI has been formally accused of driving under the influence. If a defendant pleads guilty to driving under the influence or is found guilty in court, he or she is then convicted of DUI. If someone is convicted of DUI in Illinois, his or her license may be revoked for one year. Once the revocation period ends, he or she will be able to request reinstatement of the license. However, unlike a suspension, the reinstatement of driving privileges after revocation is not automatic. A driver will need to formally request reinstatement and attend a Secretary of State hearing in order to regain the ability to drive.
Contact a Joliet, IL DUI Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested for DUI in Illinois, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked. This can greatly impact your daily life if you cannot drive to places, including to and from work. A tenacious Will County criminal defense lawyer from Tedone & Morton, P.C. can help you fight to retain your driving privileges. Call our Plainfield office at 815-733-5350 or our Joliet office at 815-666-1285 to schedule a free, confidential consultation.
Source:
https://isp.illinois.gov/TrafficSafety/DuiPenalties
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