How to Fight a DUI Charge in Illinois
If you have been arrested and charged with drunk driving anywhere in Illinois, it is reasonable to ask how to fight back against these accusations. The simple fact is that a DUI conviction can impact your finances, driving privileges, and freedom for the foreseeable future. You need to take concrete steps now to dispute these allegations.
The team at Liberty Law, P.C. may be able to help you. They are ready to explain how Illinois law defines the concept of DUI and the potential penalties for conviction. They then move to fully investigate the incident and develop a potent defense that helps you fight a DUI charge in Illinois. Contact us now to get started.
What Must a Prosecutor Prove at Trial?
Once a DUI case moves toward a trial, the burden lies on the prosecutor to prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Because of this, it is vitally important to understand how Illinois law defines drunk driving and the specific elements of each accusation.
According to 625 ILCS 5/11-501, it is illegal for any person to drive while under the influence of alcohol or any drug that impairs their ability to properly operate the vehicle. To prove this intoxication, a prosecutor may allege that a driver had a blood/alcohol level of .08 percent or more. Alternatively, they may present evidence from a police officer that the driver was impaired to the point of not being able to properly control the vehicle. Either method can lead to a conviction. The team at Liberty Law, P.C. can provide more information about Illinois’ drunk driving law and what a prosecutor must prove at trial.
Fighting Back Against DUI Allegations
In every DUI case, the prosecutor must prove their allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, many DUI defenses center around creating this doubt. An attorney at Liberty Law, P.C. could examine the specific allegations in each case to determine where this doubt is likely to exist.
For example, fighting back against DUI allegations could involve disputing whether a driver was impaired to the legal limit. This may include examining the accuracy of breathalyzer tests. In other cases, a lawyer could work to raise doubts about a police officer’s observations of a driver. These situations often arise when there is no breathalyzer data involved in an arrest.
Other defenses are less obvious. For example, there may be a dispute as to whether a defendant in a case was driving the vehicle as defined under Illinois law. In still other cases, an attorney could argue that police officers did not properly collect evidence or that they did not have proper cause to make a traffic stop that led to accusations of DUI. In every example, the goal of the team at Liberty Law, P.C. is to create reasonable doubts in the minds of jurors that result in a not-guilty verdict.
Speak with the Team at Liberty Law, P.C. Now to Learn More About how to Fight a DUI Charge in Illinois
Every DUI case in Illinois is unique. This means that the defenses that attorneys may present in trial must be specific to a person’s special circumstances. A lawyer at Liberty Law, P.C. is ready to fully investigate your case and determine which defense strategy is best for you.
These defenses often include disputing a person’s level of intoxication or impairment. They may also involve debating whether a defendant was driving a vehicle or questioning the legality of police work that led to an arrest. Reach out to Liberty Law, P.C. immediately to learn more about Illinois DUI cases and how to fight back in court.
