Northbrook DUI / DWI

Northbrook Takes DUI Charges Very Seriously — So Should You

Residents of the village of Northbrook know it as a family-friendly community on the North Shore of Lake Michigan that not only boasts more than 500 acres of beautiful parks and playgrounds, diverse cuisine, and a downtown riverwalk, but also one of the lowest crime rates in the state. How low? Northbrook has a crime rate more than 30% lower than other Illinois communities — and local law enforcement officials want to keep it that way.

That is why police and prosecutors in Northbrook are particularly hard on DUI (Driving Under the Influence) cases. If you have been charged with a DUI in Northbrook or a nearby community, you need to act quickly. In order to start building a powerful defense and avoid conviction, you should contact an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately.

As a seasoned Northbrook criminal lawyer, Sami Azhari is familiar with common prosecutor tactics and local dynamics. With Mr. Azhari in your corner, you get access to his years of experience, wealth of knowledge, aggressive team, and unparalleled resources. Mr. Azhari is dedicated to serving clients in Northbrook and beyond, and could be the difference between being convicted and having your DUI charges reduced or dismissed entirely.

Charged with a DUI in Northbrook? Here Is What You Need to Know

In Illinois, DUI is defined as operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. You are considered legally “under the influence” if your blood-alcohol level (BAC) is .08 or more if you are an adult driving a non-commercial vehicle.

This threshold is lower for adult drivers of commercial vehicles like trucks and buses (.04 or higher). And if you are a driver who is under 21, you are considered legally drunk in the eyes of law enforcement officials if you are found driving with any alcohol in your system at all. 

As an adult, non-commercial vehicle driver, you can also get charged with a DUI if you are found to have a tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis or THC) concentration of either five nanograms or more per milliliter of blood or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter of other bodily fluid. You can also be charged with driving under the influence if you have used any other controlled substance or are impaired by medication. 

What Are the Penalties for a DUI in Illinois?

Whether you are found intoxicated by alcohol, narcotics, or medication, you face serious penalties — even if it is your first time. The penalties for a DUI in Illinois vary depending on factors like your age, BAC level, whether you were transporting a child under 16, and whether you have had prior DUI convictions. We have summarized the various penalties for different levels of DUI offenses in Illinois below. 

• First DUI. Illinois classifies a first DUI as a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, you face up to one year of incarceration and a fine of up to $2,500. In addition, your license may be revoked for one year (or two years if you are under 21). 

Penalties are even harsher for a BAC of .16 or higher. If convicted of a second DUI with a BAC of .16 or more, you face a mandatory minimum fine of $500 and a mandatory minimum of 100 hours of community service on top of any other penalties. 

In addition, if your first DUI is committed while you are transporting a child under age 16, you face possible incarceration of up to six months, a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000, and 25 days of community service in a program benefiting kids.

If your first DUI is committed while you are transporting a child under age 16 and you are involved in a crash that results in physical injury to that child, you may be charged with Class 4 felony aggravated DUI. If convicted, you face a mandatory fine of $2,500 and 25 days of community service in a program benefiting children, in addition to incarceration and any other penalties. 

• Second DUI: Illinois classifies a second DUI as a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, you face a mandatory minimum incarceration of five days or 240 hours of community service. In addition, your license may be revoked for a minimum of five years for a second conviction within 20 years. 

Penalties are even harsher for a BAC of .16 or higher. If you are convicted of a second DUI with a BAC of .16 or more, you face a mandatory incarceration of two days and a mandatory minimum fine of $1,250. 

In addition, if your second DUI is committed while transporting a child under age 16, you may be charged with Class 4 felony aggravated DUI. If convicted, you face a mandatory fine of $2,500 and 25 days of community service in a program benefiting children, in addition to incarceration and any other penalties. 

If your second DUI is committed while you are transporting a child under age 16 and you are involved in a crash that resulted in bodily harm to the child, you may be charged with Class 2 felony aggravated DUI. If convicted, you face a mandatory fine of $5,000 and 25 days of community service in a program benefiting children, in addition to  incarceration and any other penalties.

As you might imagine, penalties only get harsher for third, fourth, and subsequent DUI offenses. For example, a fifth DUI is a Class 1 felony and penalized by between four and 15 years incarceration and up to $25,000 in fines. Penalties are harsher for a BAC of .16 or higher.

A sixth violation is a Class X felony penalized by between six and 30 years incarceration, plus up to $25,000 in fines. Penalties are even harsher for a BAC of .16 or higher.

Contact Sam Azhari for Powerful DUI Defense in Northbrook

Whether it is your first, second, or sixth DUI, your freedom, finances, and driving privileges are at risk. It is critical to act quickly if you want to protect your rights and ensure the best outcome for your DUI case.

Sami Azhari has worked with clients charged with DUI offenses in Northbrook and throughout Illinois. Mr. Azhari has built a reputation for providing high-quality legal representation throughout all stages of DUI cases — from initial arrest to after sentencing. 

Schedule a free consultation with Mr. Azhari today to start building a powerful DUI defense. You can reach him directly via email at sazhari@azharillc.com or complete an online case evaluation form. Alternately, you can contact our office in Skokie via phone at (847) 655-1702, Rolling Meadows at (847) 255-2100, or Chicago at (312) 626-2871.