In the state of Illinois, thousands of people are arrested and charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, each and every year. According to Illinois state law, a DUI conviction constitutes a Class A Misdemeanor charge. Unfortunately for those charged with driving under the influence, there are a number of factors that can lead to a DUI charge being elevated to a felony, these factors are known as aggravating factors. Below we will examine some of the reasons why you could be facing felony charges after driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What Constitutes an Aggravated DUI

If a DUI charge is elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony, it is now categorized as an aggravated DUI. The most common reason for an aggravated DUI charge is that the defendant is facing their third or subsequent DUI charge. Other common aggravating factors include a DUI resulting in great bodily harm to another party, driving under the influence while your license is suspended or revoked due to previous DUI charges, and driving under the influence without a valid driver’s license. A new state law passed in January 2019 states that a driver can be charged with an aggravated DUI if they are apprehended while driving the wrong direction down a one-way street, while intoxicated.

The Impact of an Aggravated DUI

While any DUI charge should be taken seriously, an aggravated DUI can drastically impact a person’s life. First and foremost, having a felony charge on your criminal record can significantly diminish one’s ability to secure housing, employment, and even loans. Secondly, a mandatory prison sentence cannot be reduced or suspended when a person is facing felony DUI charges. For those that need to drive their vehicle in order to get to work or drop their children off at school, an aggravated DUI conviction will likely result in a 10-year license revocation. If you are facing felony DUI charges, it is critically important to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can seriously impact a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Because of this, the potential ramifications of a DUI conviction are significant. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is important to act quickly. The most important step you can take when facing DUI charges is hiring an experienced legal professional that you can believe in.

The Legal Consequences

In the state of Illinois, a DUI conviction constitutes a Class A misdemeanor charge. If convicted, the guilty party may face up to one year in prison, as well as fines up to $2,500. A first-time DUI offender will likely have the choice of spending a mandatory ten days in jail or 30 days of community service hours. The offender will also face a one-year license revocation period. A conviction of this magnitude can result in job loss, depending on the party’s occupation.

The Cost of a Conviction

Outside of the legal ramifications of a DUI conviction, a DUI can cost a person financially.

In the state of Illinois, more than 26,000 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, throughout 2018. While a standard DUI conviction will constitute a Class A misdemeanor charge, some circumstances can result in felony charges. When a DUI is elevated to a felony, it is legally referred to as an aggravated DUI. Below we will examine some of the most common aggravated DUIs, and the potential legal ramifications of a charge of such magnitude. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is time to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.

The Most Common Aggravated DUIs

In the vast majority of cases, a DUI will be elevated to an aggravated DUI due to increased level of negligence. It is important to note though, that a third or subsequent DUI charge will automatically be elevated to an aggravated DUI. A driver that is charged with their third DUI will face Class 2 felony charges. A DUI resulting in great bodily harm to another party will also result in felony charges, even if the charge is the driver’s first alcohol-related traffic violation. It should be noted that a person charged with a DUI resulting in injury will face a minimum two-year license revocation period.

In other cases, a person can face felony DUI charges for failing to comply with Illinois state law prior to getting behind the wheel. If a driver is charged with driving under the influence and fails to present a valid driver’s license or permit, or lacks proper vehicle liability insurance, they will face Class 4 felony charges.

Every year thousands of Illinoisans suffer severe injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Unfortunately, many of these collisions are caused by the negligent actions of a driver. Because of this, law enforcement officials throughout the state are constantly on the lookout for signs of negligent or careless driving. In the state of Illinois, a reckless driving charge can come with serious legal ramifications. If you have been charged with reckless driving, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.

What Is Reckless Driving?

Illinois’ reckless driving law is defined under the Illinois Vehicle Code, in statute 625 ILCS 5/11-503. The statute states that reckless driving is the act of willfully disregarding the safety of other travelers. The most common examples of reckless driving in the state of Illinois, including driving over 35 mph over the legal speed limit, recklessly swerving from lane to lane without signaling, and using an incline to become airborne on a roadway. The consequences of a violation of this magnitude should not be understated.

The Legal Consequences

In the state of Illinois, the safety of all travelers is taken incredibly seriously, thus it should come as no surprise that the legal ramifications of a reckless driving conviction can be severe. If convicted a driver will face Class A Misdemeanor charges, possible fines, points against your license, and potentially massive increases on your insurance premiums. It should be noted that if a person is seriously injured due to a driver’s reckless driving, the charges will be elevated from a Misdemeanor to Class 4 Felony charges. While a reckless driving charge will not lead to an immediate license suspension, your license can be suspended if you have two previous violations on your record.

Being a commercial truck driver can come with some serious potential complications and risks. Commercial truck drivers are asked to drive day and night, through inclement weather, in vehicles that can weigh up to 30 times as much as standard motor vehicle collisions. Recognizing the inherent risks of commercial truck driving, it should come as no surprise that law enforcement officials are on the lookout for drivers violating commercial trucking laws. Unfortunately, many truck drivers are pressured by their employers to violate these mandates. If you have been charged with a CDL violation, it is time to seek out the assistance of a knowledgeable legal professional.

Experiencing Employer Pressure and Negligence in the Trucking Industry

While many CDL violations, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and reckless driving, are directly the fault of the driver, many other violations can be caused by employer negligence or recklessness. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for commercial trucking companies to pressure their employees into acting negligently, in order to expedite the shipping process. One common example of this is companies asking their drivers to falsify their driving logs in order to drive for more consecutive hours than is legally allowed. Falsifying an electronic driving device can potentially result in a CDL suspension or permanent revocation, as well as possible jail time.

In other instances, employers will overload a vehicle’s cargo. If you are aware of the overweight vehicle and were pressured to avoid weigh-in stations, you should alert your attorney right away. If you were unaware that the vehicle was overweight, your attorney can work to prove that you were not acting in a negligent manner. Other examples of employer negligence include pressuring a driver to drive on high-grade roads that would violate grade restrictions and providing a driver with an improperly maintained vehicle.