Marion DUI Charges

According to the Illinois Secretary of State, the average DUI offender is:

Male
31 years of age
Driving with a blood alcohol (BAC) of .16
Arrested on a weekend between 11 pm and 4 am

Whether you fit this profile or not, if you face DUI charges in Marion you need legal help quickly. A drunk driving attorney in Marion at the Patchett Law Office focuses on providing aggressive and skillful DUI defense for all clients. We can also help you if you have had an underaged DUI.

What to Expect after your DUI arrest

A DUI arrest in Marion starts with a stop. Law enforcement can stop you for reasonable suspicion, unusual driving, or other probable cause. You may have taken field sobriety tests that led to your arrest. Once arrested, a trip to a police station may have looked something like the following:

You undergo a test of blood, breath, and urine to test for intoxicating compounds.
If you have a BAC over .05 but under .08, you face a DUI charge without a statutory summary suspension.
If you have a BAC over .08, you are issued notice of loss of driving privileges and may be detained until bond is posted.

DUI defense in Marion

In 2008, 82 percent of drivers arrested for DUI in Illinois were first offenders, according to the Illinois Secretary of State. Nationally, the same year, drivers killed in car accidents found to have a BAC higher than .08 were ten times more likely to be repeat DUI offenders.

Marion DUI lawyers can tell you that any DUI charge is serious, but factors like a prior DUI conviction, transporting a minor under the age of 16, and a high BAC can result in the felony charge of aggravated DUI. Penalties for DUI convictions include the following:

First DUI offense: First-time offenders face imprisonment on a misdemeanor charge of up to one year, a $2,500 fine, suspension of vehicle registration, and loss of driving privileges for a minimum one year.
Second DUI offense: Second-time offenders face imprisonment on a misdemeanor charge of up to one year, a $2,500 fine, mandatory imprisonment or community service, revocation of license for up to five years, and suspension of vehicle registration.
Third DUI offense: Third-time offenders face three to five years of imprisonment on a felony charge, a $25,000 fine, revocation of license for ten years, and suspension of vehicle registration.

All of these charges carry additional penalties for aggravated circumstances. Call our DUI law firm when you need the best DUI defense you can get in Marion.

Get help with DUI defense in Marion

A DUI arrest in Marion can cause a lifetime of trouble. Patchett Law Office provides experienced, knowledgeable defense on DUI charges in Marion and throughout Southern Illinois. If arrested for drunk driving in Marion, contact Patchett Law Office to set up a free consultation. Get started on a solid DUI defense today.