Case Result
Unnecessary DUI Investigation
By: Attorney Tristan Hinriksson
A client charged with DUI, speeding, transportation of open alcohol, and improper lane usage (despite a drunk passenger admitting full responsibility) is found not guilty on all charges.
In the Fall of 2021, a client hired Driver Defense Team to represent her on charges of Driving Under the Influence, speeding, transportation of open alcohol, and improper lane usage.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, our client was driving her friend’s SUV back from a concert near the Illinois–Wisconsin border. Her friend was overtly intoxicated and had an open beer in the passenger seat. Our client was stopped by an Illinois State Police officer for speeding and improper lane usage. The officer noticed the open beer in the passenger’s lap and smelled alcohol in the vehicle.
Despite the passenger stating she was drunk and taking full responsibility for the beer, the officer instructed our client to exit the vehicle and began a DUI investigation. She took all three field sobriety tests and refused the breath sample.
The case had red flags from the start. The police report only mentioned the smell of alcohol from the vehicle, not from our client, reasonable, given the intoxicated passenger. The dash-cam video did not clearly show speeding, and while it showed her weaving within her lane, it did not show improper lane usage.
At trial, we argued the officer had no valid reason to stop the vehicle, and no reason to investigate our client for DUI once he did. We walked the judge through her proficiency on the field sobriety tests, spoken normally and politely, followed the pen with her eyes, walked a straight line, stood on one leg and counted. The officer claimed she “failed” the tests. We asked how many people passed the tests that officer had administered. His answer: no one.
The judge ruled in our favor, finding our client innocent of DUI and returning her driving privileges.
Think your case looks similar?
Every case deserves and requires individual attention. Get a free, no-obligation strategy session from our team.
More case results
-
DUI Not GuiltyDDT Client Gets License Back After DUI at Bridgeview Courthouse
Bridgeview / Cook County
A client arrested while sleeping in his truck after an argument with his wife is found not guilty on all charges, and the judge orders his one-year driver's license suspension terminated immediately.
Read the full case -
DUI Reduced ChargeDUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident
Chicago
A client arrested for DUI, failing to report property damage, illegal transportation of alcohol, and driving without insurance (after fleeing a three-car crash that left a tire at the scene) avoids a DUI conviction and gets his driving privileges reinstated.
Read the full case -
DUI Not GuiltyElmhurst DDT Client Found Not Guilty of DUI
Elmhurst / DuPage County
A Spanish-speaking driver arrested on I-290 after refusing all field sobriety and chemical tests is found not guilty when we show the state trooper made no effort to overcome the language barrier.
Read the full case
3,000+ 5-star Google reviews
What clients say
-
Jorkaef Galeano
October 23, 2026“Kim from DDT did an amazing job with my case. She got everything dismissed! She was professional, helpful, and made the whole process much less stressful. I highly recommend her to anyone who needs a great attorney. Thank you, Kim!”
-
Tashfeen Khan
October 20, 2026“I spoke to Ricardo with DDT and he gave me a free consultation for a suspended registration case. He was very helpful and I feel much more relaxed about my court case now .”
-
Bobby Bandz
October 16, 2026“Attorney Gilbert was a Rockstar in the court room. We took my case to a bench trial and he ran circles around the prosecution. I had never been to a trial he made sure I was comfortable and understood everything that was going on. I was more than pleased with the outcome of my case. Will recommend D.D.T. to anybody looking for a GREAT firm to represent them. 10 out of 10”
-
David Davy
October 15, 2026“I just want mention Nicole she has been very helpful and understanding during this complicated situation that I’m going through ! First time with this company and honestly it feels like I’m apart of the family”
-
Randall Allen Dunn
October 13, 2026“DDT did a great job managing our compensation after a devastating car accident. They gave clear instructions on what to do and what to expect, and Dimitri gave great suggestions for different stages of negotiating offers, to give us the best possible deal.”
-
LUIS ENRIQUE ALVAREZ
October 13, 2026“I sincerely thank DDT and attorney Logan, who was very professional and helped me get my case dismissed. It took some time, but it was 100% worth it. Whenever I had questions, they answered them courteously. I will recommend them to my family when they need legal representation.”
-
Luis Rivera
October 13, 2026“I’m very thankful for Nicole!!!!!! for been very supportive & very helpful when I mostly needed it, I’m glad to say I’m in good hands with the Driver Defense Law firm I highly recommend them!!!!!”
-
Q and Q
October 9, 2026“The wonderful people at Driver Defense Team got my case dismissed and handled everything for me while I was busy at work. They saved me from a load of headache and tickets that would have likely been career ending for my line of work, and everything was all handled over the phone. They were very flexible and understand if you have a busy schedule, and they will accommodate for it. Infinite thanks to the team!!!! Everything was so quick and straight forward”