Posted on March 14, 2026 in DUI

Field sobriety tests can be challenged, and in some cases, thrown out completely. If you've been charged with a DUI after failing one or more of these tests, you may be wondering whether those test results are really as damaging as the officer made them seem. The answer depends on how the tests were administered and whether the officer followed the rules.

Field sobriety tests have some known reliability issues, so results are far from a definitive measure of impairment. If you are facing a DUI charge in 2026, our Kane County, IL DUI defense lawyer can look at the details of your stop and help you figure out whether the test results should be used against you at all.

What Standardized Field Sobriety Tests Are Used in Illinois?

Illinois officers are trained to give three tests approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, the Walk and Turn test, and the One Leg Stand test. Together, these are called the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, or SFSTs.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 25, 2026 in Traffic Violations

CDL moving violations in Illinois can have severe consequences, including license disqualification and potential effects on your ability to work. Many commercial drivers depend on their CDL to support themselves and their families, so even one citation can create stress and uncertainty.

Commercial drivers are held to higher safety standards because of the size of the vehicles and the responsibility that comes with operating them. Federal regulations also allow disqualification if multiple serious traffic violations occur within a three-year period. You will need to address any citation quickly and carefully to protect your driving record.

If you received a citation in 2026, our DuPage County CDL violations defense lawyer can help you understand your legal options and protect your commercial driving privileges.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on February 10, 2026 in DUI

Under certain circumstances, it is possible to fight a DUI charge in Illinois. Being arrested can feel stressful. It is important to remember that an arrest is not the same as a conviction. You still have rights, and you still have options.

If you are dealing with a charge in 2026, taking the time to understand the process can help you feel more in control. Our Aurora, IL DUI defense lawyer can review your situation, answer your questions, and help you determine the next steps with clarity and care.

Can You Challenge a DUI Charge in Illinois?

Many DUI cases can be challenged, particularly when there are concerns about how the stop occurred or how evidence was collected. The prosecution has the burden of proving the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the strictest level of proof required in the criminal justice system.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 27, 2026 in DUI

The difference between a formal and informal Secretary of State reinstatement hearing in Illinois depends on how serious your driving history is. These hearings often come up after a DUI-related suspension or revocation.

DUI charges are common in Illinois. Reporting based on state data shows that tens of thousands of drivers are arrested for DUI each year, which means many people later need a hearing to try to get their license back. These hearings are not meant to punish you again. They are meant to decide whether it is safe for you to drive.

If you are facing this process, a Kane County, IL Secretary of State hearings lawyer can help you understand what type of hearing applies to you and what the state is looking for.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on January 12, 2026 in DUI

A DUI conviction affects much more than your ability to drive. In 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that alcohol-impaired driving still accounts for roughly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. As of 2026, Illinois law still requires courts to impose mandatory penalties for DUI convictions, including first offenses, with limited discretion once a conviction is entered.

If you are facing a DUI arrest, seeking legal guidance early is the best way to understand the full impact. An Aurora, IL DUI defense lawyer can help you evaluate what a conviction could mean for your future.

What Really Happens After a DUI Conviction in Illinois?

A DUI conviction brings both criminal penalties and administrative consequences. These often happen at the same time and can continue long after the court case is over.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 20, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Many people assume that theft charges are not all that serious and are typically misdemeanors. This may or may not be the case, and such an assumption can be dangerous for your future. Theft charges in Illinois can be treated very differently. Some theft charges are misdemeanors, while others can quickly escalate into felonies.

A felony conviction, aside from having serious legal penalties attached, can also bring long-term collateral consequences. The difference between a misdemeanor and felony theft charge can come down to issues like the value of the property taken, prior convictions, and the type of item taken. Even a first-time offender may be shocked to find he or she is facing felony theft charges.

Illinois law allows prosecutors to elevate theft cases, even when no force was used and no one was hurt. If you are facing theft charges, it is imperative that you understand how your charges could escalate into felonies. This, and having an experienced Kane County, IL criminal defense attorney, are the first steps toward building a strong defense to your charges.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on December 04, 2025 in DUI

Illinois law enforcement agencies are quietly adopting Passive Alcohol Sensors (PAS), which are handheld devices typically built into flashlights or other traffic-stop tools. These devices "sniff" for alcohol in the air around the driver. Aside from the fact that PAS devices detect ethanol without requiring a breath sample (raising the question of whether PAS use equals an unlawful search), there are no state standards for calibration, reliability, or officer training.

Currently, officers are not required to disclose the use of a PAS device, even though it often provides them with probable cause to administer a field sobriety test and/or a portable breathalyzer test. Essentially, the PAS is a device with no rules because it is not recognized under Illinois DUI statutes (625 ILCS 5/11-501) and is not admissible as evidence in a DUI trial.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on November 07, 2025 in DUI

Illinois drivers who are working hard to regain their driving privileges following a DUI can be hindered by false violations of their Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). While the BAIID is meant to be a safeguard to prevent those with DUI convictions from driving while impaired, technical glitches, calibration errors, and misinterpreted data can cause drivers to be accused of violations they never committed.

BAIID violations are taken very seriously in reinstatement hearings by the Illinois Secretary of State and can result in extended suspensions or revocation of driver’s licenses. If you need assistance with BAIID compliance failures, a DuPage County, IL license reinstatement lawyer can challenge inaccurate readings during your reinstatement hearing.

What You Should Know About the Illinois BAIID Program

The BAIID program in the state is administered by the Illinois Secretary of State under 625 ILCS 5/6-206.1. Drivers who have been convicted of a DUI and given a Monitoring Device Driving Permit must have the BAIID installed in their vehicle. The purpose is to ensure sobriety while driving during the permit period and to monitor compliance before the driver is eligible for license reinstatement.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 22, 2025 in License Reinstatement

If you had a Secretary of State hearing regarding regaining your driving privileges after a DUI, you may assume the decision is final. And, in most cases, it is final. But what if new evidence comes to light, a treatment evaluation changes, a clerical mistake is discovered, or your circumstances shift dramatically from the time of the hearing?

Is it possible to reopen the decision of the Secretary of State? While it is rare, exceptions do exist when fairness and due process outweigh the administrative preference for finality. Keep in mind that true reopening is unusual and generally requires proof of a clerical error or a procedural defect.

You can, however, base a new petition on a changed condition, such as new medical clearance or treatment, and this may be the most practical way to achieve reinstatement. If you are trying to determine whether you should reopen a SOS decision or start an entirely new petition, the best step you can take is to speak to an experienced Aurora, IL Secretary of State hearing lawyer.

Continue Reading ››

 Posted on October 06, 2025 in Criminal Defense

Electronic surveillance is no longer exclusive to spy thriller movies; it is a powerful tool used by prosecutors in Illinois state criminal cases. From wiretapping phones to hiding microphones to capture personal conversations, electronic surveillance (720 ILCS 5/14) helps law enforcement record conversations and gather evidence to build a strong criminal case. Surveillance orders are not unlimited, and when mistakes are made in how the order is issued or executed, the evidence could become inadmissible in court.  

If you are facing Illinois criminal charges that rely on information gathered from covert electronic surveillance devices, it is essential to understand that these orders can be challenged. When you have a highly skilled Naperville, IL criminal defense attorney as your legal advocate, you can expect a strong defense and the best possible outcome to your charges.

Continue Reading ››