Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Understanding DUI Arrests Below the Legal Limit in Chicago
In Chicago, the streets are busy with everything from rideshares to late-night drivers heading home from restaurants or events. Law enforcement patrols are common, especially during weekends and holidays, and DUI enforcement remains a top priority for local police departments. While most people believe that the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08%, Illinois law allows police officers to arrest and prosecutors to charge individuals with DUI even when their BAC is below this threshold.
A DUI arrest in Chicago with a BAC under 0.08% may come as a shock to someone who assumed they were legally fit to drive. These cases often involve subjective officer observations and discretionary arrest decisions based on overall behavior, physical signs of impairment, and alleged unsafe driving patterns. The consequences, however, are anything but discretionary. A conviction under these circumstances can still result in a permanent criminal record, driver’s license suspension, costly fines, and personal and professional hardship.
