Getting arrested for a first-time DUI in Illinois can shake up your entire life. It’s an experience no one plans for, yet it can happen in the blink of an eye after a dinner out in Chicago, a gathering with friends in Evanston, or even a wrong turn on the way home in Oak Park. If you are facing your first DUI charge, the good news is that you have legal options. And the defenses available to you can make the difference between a conviction that alters your life and a second chance to move forward.
Illinois law may treat first-time DUI cases seriously, but the law also demands that police officers and prosecutors follow strict rules. Violations of your rights, improper testing, and gaps in the evidence can be used to your advantage. With the right defense, many first-time DUI defendants can achieve outcomes that avoid jail time, protect their driver’s license, and even prevent a conviction altogether.