Chicago DUI Attorney

Defending DUI Cases in Chicago

If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, your future and freedom are in peril. It is critically important that you take these charges seriously, whether it is a first DUI offense or if you have multiple DUI offenses on your record. Having a Chicago DUI lawyer on your side is perhaps the most valuable action you can take when you are defending your case. At my firm, the Law Offices of Mitch Furman & Associates, you will find high quality legal representation in addition to caring advocates for your rights that are unparalleled in the area.

Anyone facing a DUI arrest in Chicago must be aware of the risks of failing to have someone safeguarding your rights. Once you are arrested, you enter the criminal justice system, which can be overwhelming and frightening. Without a Chicago DUI defense attorney working on your behalf, you are in danger of immediately losing your license and even being sent to jail. Working on behalf of the residents of Chicago for over 8 years, I aggressively fight for your rights and will do everything possible to get your charges reduced or even dismissed, depending on the nature of your charges. We have experience defending every type of DUI case, including:

About DUI Charges
If you have been accused of driving under the influence, it is important that you are aware of the facts involved in your case. You could be convicted to DUI if your blood alcohol content was 0.08% or above. You could found guilty of aggravated DUI if serious bodily harm occurred as a result of an accident. Read more on about DUI charges.

The DUI Process
When you are pulled over for suspected drunk driving, you may be asked to perform a field sobriety test. If you fail this test or a breath or blood test, you could be arrested for DUI. Following that, individuals are usually booked into jail and a bail is set. Read more on the DUI process.

Defending Against DUI
Many people do not realize that there are ways to defend themselves against DUI charges. A Chicago DUI attorney from my firm could examine your case in order to ascertain whether the police officer had probable cause to arrest you. They will also investigate the arrest procedure and testing. Read more on defending against DUI.

DUI Penalties
If you have been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs of alcohol, you need to know the penalties you may be facing. Following an arrest, your license is automatically suspended, lasting up to twelve months. Depending on the severity of your accusation, you could also be facing up to a year in jail. Read more on DUI penalties.

Aggravated DUI
There are numerous situations which could result in an aggravated DUI charge. Driving under the influence with a child under sixteen in the car or causing injury to a child under sixteen will result in an aggravated DUI charge. Another situation includes an accident resulting in death or a BAC of 0.16% or above. Read more on aggravated DUI.

Breath & Blood Tests
A breath test, or breathalyzer test, uses a device into which the suspected drunk driver blows into. It measures the amount of alcohol in their system by analyzing their blood. A blood test involves chemically testing a sample of the individual's blood. Read more on breath & blood tests.

Drug DUI
Driving under the influence does not just apply to the consumption of alcohol, but the use of drugs as well. This could refer to illegal substances like marijuana or cocaine or it could refer to prescriptive medication and over the counter drugs. Any drug that impairs driving can lead to a DUI. Read more on drug DUI.

Field Sobriety Tests
The three main standardized field sobriety tests are: the one leg stand, the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, and the walk and turn. Although these tests can aid the law enforcement officer in determining whether the driver is inebriated, they can easily be challenged in court. Read more on field sobriety tests.

Multiple DUI Convictions
After being convicted of DUI, each subsequent conviction will lead to more serious penalties. A second DUI offense leads to up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. A third DUI offense leads to up to seven years in jail and $25,000 in fines. Read more on multiple DUI convictions.

Summary Suspension Hearings
After being arrested for drunk driving, your license will be automatically suspended. At the summary suspension hearing, it will be determined whether you can get your license back. There are forty-six days in which to fight your suspension after an arrest, so time is crucial. Read more on summary suspension hearing.

Underage DUI
If a family member has been charged with underage DUI, it is important to contact a strong legal representative. Illinois has a zero tolerance rule when it comes to underage drunk driving, which means that the BAC allowed is 0.00%. Read more on underage DUI.

Vehicular Manslaughter
Also known as reckless homicide, vehicular manslaughter is a class 3 felony in Illinois. If the driver was intoxicated at the time of the accident, it becomes a class 2 felony. If convicted, you could be facing up to fourteen years in state prison. Read more on vehicular manslaughter.

The True Cost of a DUI
Besides the criminal penalty of at least $2,500, there are several more costs that will result from a DUI conviction. Towing, court costs, trauma center fund, increased insurance costs, alcohol counseling, and a substance abuse class are just some of the costs you will have to find money to pay for. Read more on the true cost of a DUI.

Why a DUI Lawyer?
If you have been accused of driving under the influence, you may be wondering if it is worth it to hire an attorney. If you want to get your charges reduced or dropped, then it is necessary to have a legal representative on your side. They could support you at your hearing and trial, standing up for your rights. Read more on why a DUI lawyer?

My legal team and I will ensure that you understand your rights, the legal procedures, and the possible outcomes of your case throughout each stage of the process. There is a lot to handle in any criminal case and a DUI charge is no exception. You cannot expect just any defense attorney to adequately represent you against the accusations you are being charged with. Even if no one was injured when you were arrested for DUI, the court system still takes ever incident of driving under the influence very seriously. The idea that worse could have happened or could happen in the future if the problem is not addressed can lead some prosecutors to charge you too harshly and some judges and juries to convict you too easily. Only with strong legal counsel can you hope to be given the opportunity to defend yourself properly and avoid facing any unnecessary charges and penalties.

DUI Defense Lawyer Serving Cook County

Being charged with DUI is not a situation anyone wants to be in, but if you are already there, we can provide skilled legal counsel and aggressive representation. Our mission is to meticulously research your case, investigate all significant leads and evidence, and find every viable defense. As a DUI defense attorney with years of experience, I understand how the system works and what needs to be done in order to keep your record clean and maintain your safety, freedom, and future.

I have extensive knowledge of the field sobriety tests, the breathalyzer machine, the blood tests, and the chemical tests that are used to determine intoxication levels. There are many flaws with each of these testing methods, and it is possible that your case could be dismissed because of inaccurate testing. Furthermore, there is a host of legal procedures that arresting officers are required to follow, and if they are not followed, your case may be thrown out before it reaches the trial stage.

Failing to obtain representation for your DUI charges is almost a guarantee of a conviction. You stand almost no chance at all of winning against a police officer testifying against you before a judge. However, when you have the expertise and talent of my office meticulously scrutinizing every step the arresting officer took when he pulled you over and arrested you, your chances of success increase markedly. Without someone representing you during your hearing, you can easily be taken advantage of and your rights violated. I can stand by your side as a strong legal advocate, protecting your right to keep your license and avoid incarceration or other harsh penalties. Since every case is different, I give you a free initial consultation to discuss the facts of your arrest and plan out the best legal strategy for your defense. With my office you can be confident you will get the personal attention you need throughout the handling of your case.

Contact a Chicago DUI attorney at my firm for more information about your charges and your future. Do not hesitate to call and schedule your free case consultation!