Practice Areas

DUI Attorney Serving the Springfield Area and Beyond

Many Illinois residents will be stopped for suspected DUI or another traffic violation at some point. The consequences can include loss of driving privileges and higher insurance premiums, as well as potentially jail time, fines, and a criminal record. When your job depends on being able to drive to a workplace or drive for work, a traffic violation can even result in job loss. Experienced Springfield DUI lawyer Theodore J. (Ted) Harvatin can provide you with knowledgeable representation and guide you toward the most favorable outcome available under your circumstances. He also handles matters related to alleged license fraud, speeding tickets, revoked or suspended licenses, and safety belt law violations, among other matters.

Penalties for Drunk Driving in Illinois

Drunk driving is prohibited in the state of Illinois. You are considered to be driving under the influence if you are driving while your blood alcohol content is .08 or more. Illinois also has an implied consent law, which means that you are assumed to have agreed to submit to a chemical test.

For a first offense DUI conviction, which is a Class A misdemeanor, the court can sentence you to up to 364 days in jail, up to $2,500 in fines, and a minimum of six months’ license suspension. You may also be required to install an ignition interlock device on your car. This requires you to pass an alcohol breath test before your car will start. The penalties for a DUI conviction are more significant if you are a repeat offender. For example, a fourth conviction is considered an aggravated DUI and a Class 2 felony. If you are convicted a fourth time, your driving privileges will be revoked for life. The court looks at all DUI convictions since a defendant received his or her driver’s license as prior offenses.

Traffic Tickets and Driver’s License Hearings

There are three types of traffic law violations: felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions or moving violations. Felonies are the most severe with the greatest consequences, and infractions or violations tend to have the fewest and mildest consequences.

A speeding ticket is a common moving violation, but if you receive too many of these, the consequences can be serious, particularly for people who use their cars to get to work or school. In Illinois, points are assigned for speeding based on how many miles per hour over the limit you were traveling. However, three moving violations within a 12-month period lead to a suspended license for an adult. A driver who is under 21 years of age may have his or her license suspended for two tickets acquired during a 24-month period. The points you receive determine how long your license is suspended. Driving on a suspended license is also a Class A misdemeanor that a court may punish with a sentence of up to one year in jail and $2,500 in fines.

Retain an Experienced Springfield Lawyer for a DUI or Traffic Case

Often, it is unwise to simply pay off a traffic ticket because if you accumulate too many of them, you may not be able to drive at all. In many cases, evidence can be challenged or suppressed, resulting in the dismissal or reduction of a charge. If you have been charged with DUI or a traffic violation, you should retain an experienced Springfield DUI attorney. At the Harvatin Law Offices, we have substantial experience defending Illinois residents accused of traffic violations or drunk driving, both in court and in Illinois Secretary of State administrative hearings. We strive to provide courteous, skillful representation and work vigorously to ensure that your rights are secure. Contact us at 217.525.0520 or via our online form to set up a free consultation with a traffic tickets attorney. Ted Harvatin represents people in many areas of Illinois.