Joliet First Offense DUI Attorney

Legal Support for DUI Offenses in Joliet, IL

For many people, an arrest for drunk driving may have been their first and only encounter with the police. In these situations, a person may be unsure about what they should do, how they will be affected by DUI charges, and how they can defend against a conviction. If you are a first-time DUI offender, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights and work towards keeping your record clean.

What You Need to Know About First-Time DUI Cases

Everyone arrested for DUI for the first time will ultimately need to fight two cases:

• The automatic suspension of your driver's license
• Criminal charges for DUI

Addressing an Automatic Driver's License Suspension

An automatic license suspension, known as a statutory summary suspension, will apply if a chemical test showed that you were under the influence of an intoxicating substance while you were operating a motor vehicle or if you refused to submit to a test of your breath, urine, or blood after being arrested on DUI charges. If you do not take action, the automatic suspension of your license will go into effect on the 46th day after the date you were arrested. If you want to avoid the loss of your license, you must contest the license suspension in court.

The potential reasons for protesting a statutory summary suspension are limited, and you will be required to convince a judge that you should be able to keep your driving privileges. It takes a skilled Joliet DUI defense attorney to fight a license suspension in these cases. Once your petition is filed, a hearing will be scheduled within 30 days. If the prosecutor in your case does not schedule a hearing within this time frame, the judge will be likely to reverse the suspension of your license. If you have any questions regarding a pending suspension, contact us for legal help.

What happens if I do not request a hearing or if the judge rules against me at the hearing? As a general rule, a first-time offender arrested for DUI is eligible for a permit that will allow them to continue driving. You must meet the statutory requirements in order to get the permit. We can assist in the preparation of an application for a monitoring device driving permit (MDDP), and we will work to ensure that you can begin driving again as soon as possible. If you want to know more about whether you can receive this type of permit, please contact our office to schedule a free consultation.

Defense Against Criminal DUI Charges in Joliet

In most cases, a first-time DUI is charged as a Class A misdemeanor. The potential penalties you may face if you are convicted of this type of offense can include:

• Up to one year in the Joliet jail
• A maximum fine of $2,500
• Mandatory requirements put in place by the court, which may include the requirement to receive substance abuse treatment and attend a victim impact panel
• A revocation of your driving privileges for one year

Our Joliet DUI defense attorney can provide the guidance you need as you defend against a first-time DUI conviction. Attorney Jack Zaremba has many years of legal experience in these cases, and he understands the many variables to consider, including your previous history of criminal offenses or traffic violations, the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecutor's case, information uncovered during an investigation into the circumstances surrounding your arrest, and any evidence showing that you were intoxicated, such as chemical test results.

Attorney Zaremba will negotiate agreements with prosecutors when appropriate. In most cases, however, pleading guilty may not be in your best interest. We are willing to take cases to trial when other lawyers will not. If we go to trial, our goal is to secure an acquittal and keep your record clean. With our help, you will be able to make the correct choice about the best strategy for your case.

Contact Our Will County First-Time DUI Attorney

For skilled defense against first-time DUI charges in Joliet, contact the Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. at 815-740-4025 and schedule your free consultation. We are ready to assist you 24 hours a day.