Charged with DUI? Do You Qualify for Reduced or Alternative Sentencing?

A conviction for driving under the influence (DUI) may be penalized harshly and will create a permanent criminal record. However, some defendants are eligible for reduced or alternative sentencing. If you are charged with DUI, contact a Chicago DUI lawyer immediately.

Police officers in Illinois aggressively enforce this state’s DUI laws. In 2021, those officers made more than 21,000 DUI arrests. However, 86 percent of those arrested for DUI were first-time offenders. Many first-time DUI offenders are eligible for reduced or alternative sentencing.

If you are arrested and charged with DUI in or near the Chicago area, immediately contact the law offices of a Chicago DUI attorney who can offer you personalized legal advice, explain your options and rights, and determine if you qualify for a reduced or alternative sentence.

Can You Avoid a Conviction for DUI?

If you are charged with DUI in Illinois, avoiding a DUI conviction is your primary goal. The first way is to fight the charge and win. If you are innocent of the charge or the prosecution likely cannot prove their case, an experience defense attorney should encourage you to exercise your right to a trial.

Reaching an agreement with the prosecutor and judge is another way for some defendants to avoid a conviction for DUI. In many Illinois DUI cases, it may be possible for a defendant to plead guilty to the DUI charge but receive court supervision.

What is Court Supervision for First-Time DUI Offenders?

Court supervision is available only to first-time DUI offenders. Court supervision does not constitute a DUI conviction under Illinois law, even if the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty. Judges in Illinois may not grant court supervision to a driver more than once in a lifetime for a driving under the influence offense.

Court supervision does not require jail time, but it allows an Illinois court to impose other penalties on the defendant, such as the payment of a fine and/or the completion of an alcohol or drug treatment program, a Victim Impact Panel class, and possible community service. Importantly, court supervision does not result in a driver’s license revocation.

What is a Conditional Discharge?

Conditional discharge for driving under the influence is considered a DUI conviction in Illinois. Instead of the case simply “being over,” the offender must still follow certain conditions set by the court, such as not violating criminal statutes, completing community service, and undergoing treatment programs.

Failing to comply with the terms can lead to a possible resentencing, which might include jail time. Violations are determined by a judge based on “preponderance of the evidence” in an evidentiary hearing, where the defendant has rights to legal representation and to challenge witnesses.

And unlike court supervision, conditional discharge for driving under the influence includes the revocation of the offender’s Illinois driver’s license.

What about getting a DUI “reduced” to Reckless Driving?

It is a common misconception that a misdemeanor DUI charge may be “reduced” to reckless driving. It is not technically a reduction as both are class A misdemeanors in Illinois.

In reality, the amendment may not offer any significant legal advantage. In some cases, it could lead to more severe consequences in the future. For instance, if you fail to fulfill all requirements of the amendment or face a second DUI at any point, the penalties could be more severe.

However, there are scenarios where an amendment to reckless driving might be preferable. This includes situations involving individuals with professional licenses such as doctors or holders of commercial driver’s licenses. Additionally, defendants who are not U.S. citizens and those with out-of-state licenses may also benefit from a reckless driving. Finally, if an individual is ineligible for supervision on the DUI charge due to having a prior offense, an amendment to reckless driving may allow them to avoid a DUI conviction and prevent thier license from being revoked.

DUI Treatment and Rehabilitation Evaluations and Recommendations

Under Illinois law, anyone who is arrested for DUI must submit to an alcohol and drug evaluation prior to sentencing. This evaluation determines the extent of the defendant’s alcohol or drug use and the defendant’s risk to the public’s safety.

At the conclusion of the evaluation, a classification and a recommendation are determined by the evaluator. DUI offenders will be assigned one of these four classifications and recommendations:

  1. Minimal Risk: For drivers classified as a minimum risk, the recommendation is completion of a minimum of ten hours of DUI Risk Education.
  2.  Moderate Risk: For drivers who are a moderate risk, the recommendation is completion of at least ten hours of DUI Risk Education, a minimum of twelve hours of early intervention, and subsequent completion of any and all necessary treatment.
  3.  Significant Risk: For drivers classified as a significant risk, the recommendation is completion of a minimum of ten hours of DUI Risk Education and a minimum of twenty hours of substance abuse treatment.
  4.  High-Risk: For high-risk drivers, the recommendation is completion of a minimum of seventy-five hours of substance abuse treatment.

What recommendation, if any, will actually be ordered for a defendant is up to the court’s discretion. A DUI defendant has the right to seek a second opinion by requesting a second evaluation.

What Are the Penalties in Illinois for a Driving Under the Influence Conviction?

A Chicago DUI lawyer will try to help you avoid a DUI conviction. If the state’s evidence against you is strong and your conviction is inevitable, your Chicago DUI attorney will try to help you avoid a jail (or prison) sentence. The penalties for an Illinois DUI conviction include:

  1.  For a first DUI offense with no aggravating circumstances, the charge is a Class A misdemeanor. Penalties for a first DUI conviction include a one-year license suspension (two years if the driver is under 21) and a suspension of the driver’s vehicle registration.
  2.  For a second DUI offense with no aggravating circumstances, the charge is a Class A misdemeanor, and the penalties for a conviction may include five days in jail or 240 hours of community service and a suspension of the driver’s vehicle registration.
  3.  If a second driving under the influence conviction is imposed within five years of the first DUI conviction, the offender’s driver’s license will be revoked for a minimum of five years.
  4.  A third or subsequent driving under the influence offense is considered aggravated DUI and is almost always charged as a felony. Prison sentences may be ordered for third and subsequent DUI convictions in Illinois.

How Will The Right Attorney Help You?

An expert DUI lawyer brings crucial knowledge and experience to the table for anyone charged with a DUI. They understand the intricacies of DUI laws and can navigate the complex legal system effectively. Such a lawyer will thoroughly analyze your case, examining details from the arrest to potential procedural errors, and craft a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation. With their expertise, they can challenge evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and possibly reduce penalties or even secure case dismissals.

Additionally, an experienced DUI attorney offers guidance on navigating legal proceedings, ensuring you’re well-informed and prepared at every stage. Their advocacy not only aims to protect your legal rights but also seeks the most favorable outcome, leveraging their knowledge and experience in DUI law.

Driver Defense Team Will Fight For You

Our law firm’s expertise in DUI defense in Illinois ensures you receive informed, personalized support. With over 100 years of combined DUI experience in Chicagoland, our team of eight attorneys is dedicated to understanding your unique case. Our unique process tailors strategies to your needs, while our consistent communication keeps you updated every step of the way. Our track record, highlighted by over 1,700 five-star Google reviews, demonstrates our commitment to advocating for your rights and achieving the best possible outcome in your DUI case.

The lawyers at Driver Defense Team represent clients charged with DUI in Lake County, Kane County, Cook County, and DuPage County. If you are charged with driving under the influence, call Driver Defense Team immediately to obtain the legal help you need.

Driver Defense Team will provide a no-cost, no-obligation evaluation of your case, and if you choose Driver Defense Team, we will immediately go to work on your behalf.