Rolling Meadows DUI Defense Attorney
- DUI charges are not strictly limited to drunk driving, as Illinois law provides penalties for driving while high as well.
- Even if you are not convicted of DUI in the end, you could still face administrative license suspensions.
- There are many explanations for poor performance on a field sobriety test that does not necessarily equate to alcohol or drug impairment. The same goes for chemical test results.
Trusted DUI Defense Lawyer Serving Clients in Rolling Meadows, IL
A charge of driving under the influence (DUI) can cost you more than just a night in jail and a ticket to pay off. A conviction of this offense can result in a lengthy jail or prison sentence, a lasting criminal record, high fines, and the loss of your driving privileges. Defending against these charges requires a carefully reasoned argument based on the specific facts of your case. A Rolling Meadows DUI defense lawyer can represent you in court and fight to protect your freedoms.
At Komie and Associates, we have a history of defending clients facing serious criminal charges, including notable successes in DUI cases. Backed by decades of experience, Attorney Stephen Komie will help you pursue the best possible outcome in court.
Charged with a Crime?
Call Komie and Associates at 312-263-2800 to schedule your consultation — we know exactly how to fight for you.
How Does Illinois Define Driving Under the Influence?
Illinois law defines DUI as operating or being in actual physical control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher. The offense reaches further than most drivers expect. Sitting in a parked car with the keys within reach can satisfy the control element, even when the vehicle never moved.
A driver can also be charged when alcohol, cannabis, prescription medication, or another drug renders the person incapable of driving safely. Cannabis carries its own threshold of five nanograms of THC per milliliter of whole blood. Commercial drivers face a 0.04 limit, and drivers under 21 are held to strict "zero tolerance" laws. Prosecutors often refer to more than one theory from the same stop, resting on a test result, an officer's observations, or both.
Will My License Be Suspended After a DUI in Rolling Meadows?
A DUI arrest sets off a separate administrative process handled by the Secretary of State. Under the implied consent law, failing or refusing chemical testing triggers a statutory summary suspension. The suspension takes effect on the 46th day after the notice is issued, regardless of what happens in the criminal case.
A first offender who fails a test faces a six-month suspension. A first offender who refuses testing faces 12 months. Drivers with a prior DUI or suspension within the past five years face longer terms. Many first offenders qualify for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit, which allows driving with an ignition interlock device.
A petition to rescind puts the state to its proof on whether the stop was lawful, whether the arrest was proper, and whether the officer gave the required warnings.
What Are the Consequences of a DUI Conviction in Illinois?
A first DUI is a Class A misdemeanor carrying up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A conviction also revokes driving privileges for at least one year, which requires a hearing with the Secretary of State to undo.
A second conviction within five years brings a mandatory minimum of five days in jail or 240 hours of community service. A third offense becomes aggravated DUI, a Class 2 felony. Certain first offenses are elevated as well, including crashes that seriously injured someone.
DUI convictions cannot be sealed or expunged in Illinois, and they surface in background checks for jobs, housing, professional licenses, and insurance rates.
"Well respected attorney with a professional practice. His competence imbued me with a steadfast confidence that we would attain a favorable outcome, and delivered!"
How Komie and Associates Can Help You Fight a DUI Charge
When defending against DUI charges, our attorney starts with the stop itself. An officer needs a lawful reason to pull a driver over, and a stop built on a hunch can undermine everything gathered afterward.
Field sobriety tests are scored against standardized criteria. Dim lighting, rough pavement, footwear, injuries, and anxiety can all affect a driver's performance on a sobriety test. Breath results depend on a machine that requires certification, calibration, and a proper observation period before the sample is taken.
Blood draws raise their own questions about who collected the sample, how it was stored, and whether the chain of custody holds. These issues can narrow the state's case or support an outcome short of conviction.
Frequently Asked Questions About DUI Charges in Rolling Meadows
Breath test results can be affected by machine calibration, an operator's training, and whether the required 20-minute observation period was honored. Medical conditions such as acid reflux, diabetes, and certain diets can also influence a reading. Residual mouth alcohol from dental work or a recent drink can overstate actual impairment.
You can challenge an administrative license suspension by filing a petition to rescind in the circuit court where the DUI case is pending. The hearing addresses the legality of the stop, the basis for the arrest, and the warnings given before testing. The filing deadline is short, so acting quickly preserves the option.
Several factors can make a first-time DUI charge more serious. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher triggers a mandatory minimum fine and 100 hours of community service. Transporting a passenger under 16 adds a mandatory fine and community service, and driving without a valid license or insurance can push a first offense into felony territory.
Meet With Our Rolling Meadows, IL DUI Defense Lawyer
A DUI case runs on two tracks at once. At Komie and Associates, our attorney can file the paperwork that protects your driving privileges while the criminal case is still in its opening stages. Contact our Rolling Meadows, IL DUI defense attorney or call 312-263-2800 to set up a consultation.
Stephen Komie is battle-tested in the courtroom and has spent over 40 years fighting for clients facing serious criminal charges.
- 40+ years representing clients in state, federal & international trials
- Argued 5 cases before the Illinois Supreme Court
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer (National Trial Lawyers & American Trial Lawyers Association)
- Author of the Attorney's Bill of Rights, adopted by the Illinois Supreme Court
- Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court
- Founder, Komie and Associates
Cook County Circuit Court
2121 Euclid Ave Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
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From our office in Chicago, Illinois we serve clients throughout the state including but not limited to Joliet, Bridgeview, Wheaton, Rolling Meadows, Lombard, Skokie, Morris, Ottawa, Princeton, Cambridge, Waukegan, LaSalle, Bureau, Peoria, Bloomington, Rockford, Quincy, Macomb, McHenry, Springfield, Rock Island, East St. Louis, Belleville, Elizabethtown, Cook County, Winnebago County, Kane County, Lake County, DuPage County, Jo Daviess County and Northeast Illinois.
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