Being charged with a drunk driving charge can result in overwhelming feelings of nervousness and anxiety about what will happen next. If you’ve never been arrested and charged for driving under the influence, you may not understand the legal system, the upcoming procedures, or even your rights. The best way to protect yourself from the consequences of a drunk driving charge is to ask a DUI lawyer in Bloomington, IL to help you.
At Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, we understand that people of all backgrounds and professions can make a mistake that leads them to a DUI charge. Often, our clients come to us feeling embarrassed and scared about their reputation, job, family, and so forth. Illinois takes these cases very seriously, and penalties continue to be enhanced every few years. As a skilled DUI lawyer in Bloomington, IL, we can help you to fight your worries and seek the best possible outcome. For a consultation with a Bloomington, IL DUI lawyer, call Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols.
Penalties for a DUI in Illinois 
A DUI cannot be compared to a “slap on the wrist” charge. Rather, it is serious and can have a long term effect on your entire life. For example, you may lose your license, your professional license (ex. if you are a commercial driver), your right to live in certain communities, and your ability to travel. If you share custody of a child, a DUI could affect your ability to spend time with him or her. In addition to these life consequences, a DUI charge may result in:
- Driver’s license suspension
- Fines and fees
- Mandatory breath alcohol ignition interlock device
- Mandatory alcohol rehabilitation
- Jail or prison time
- Probation
- Community service
- Permanent criminal record
- Points on your driver’s license
- Insurance premium increase
If any of the following apply, the penalties may significantly increase:
- Your BAC was much higher than 0.08%
- You did not have a valid driver’s license
- You were uninsured
- You were under 21 years of age
- You had a child in the car at the time of the charge
- You resisted arrest
- You have had previous DUI offenses
- You committed other traffic violations at the time of the DUI
- You were in an accident and harmed or killed another person
At Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols, your DUI lawyer in Bloomington, IL can investigate the details of your case and the laws to anticipate what the outcome might be, and to build a strong defense. We may consider:
- Whether there was probable cause for the stop
- Whether field sobriety tests were performed, and which ones
- Whether the tests were properly performed
- The results of breath, blood, and urine tests
- Whether you were read your Miranda Rights
Rest assured, as one of the best DUI lawyers in Bloomington, Illinois, we are ready to stand up and fight for your rights. Regardless of what happened, let Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols listen to your side of the story and help you to build a defense that can assist in getting a favorable outcome.
Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols is Here to Help
When you’ve been arrested for a DUI in McLean County you need a DUI lawyer who can protect your rights, make sure that you are treated fairly, and get you results. You’ve come to the right place. We understand what you are going through. We understand that you are probably feeling confused or angry about what’s happening to you. The process of being arrested, taken to jail, photographed, and fingerprinted was probably humiliating. We feel for you. We’d like you to know that we can help.
FAQ: Facing DUI Charges
If you have been arrested on suspicion of impaired driving, it’s important that you connect with an experienced DUI lawyer Bloomington, IL residents trust – and it’s important that you do so as soon as possible. A conviction for impaired driving can be life-altering. Therefore, you should be as proactive as you can in connecting with Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols. Once we learn about your unique situation, we can give you personalized guidance concerning the FAQs detailed below and anything else that may be weighing on your mind. If you choose to retain our services, we’ll build the strongest possible defense on your behalf and advocate aggressively on behalf of your rights.
Is being charged with a DUI a big deal?
The primary reason why it’s so important to connect with a Bloomington DUI lawyer as soon as you’ve been charged with impaired driving is that DUI charges are, indeed, a big deal. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing jail time, fines, mandatory substance abuse treatment, the suspension or loss of your driver’s license and a host of other consequences.
Can I represent myself in court?
Because the stakes of a DUI case are high, it is highly inadvisable to “DIY” your DUI case. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney will give you the greatest possible opportunity to mount a successful defense. In the event that you cannot win your case outright, working with an attorney will help to ensure that the consequences you’re facing are reduced to the greatest possible extent under the circumstances.
Will previous DUI convictions be held against me?
If you’ve been charged with a DUI in the past, it may affect the penalties that you’ll face now in the event of a conviction. As a result, it’s particularly important that you connect with our legal team immediately if you have prior impaired driving convictions on your record. We will need to get to work right away, building the strongest possible defense on your behalf.
Could a DUI conviction cause me to lose my job?
Most of the time, an employer has no reason to fire a worker as a result of DUI conviction if driving has nothing to do with their job responsibilities. However, if you drive for a living or you have any kind of behavioral or morality clause in your employment contract, a DUI conviction could cause you to lose your job. Successfully defending against the charges you’re facing should allow you to keep it.
Can my BAC be used as evidence against me?
If your BAC was obtained legally, it may be used against you in court. However, there are ways in which the skilled criminal defense team at Pioletti Pioletti & Nichols can potentially keep BAC readings from being submitted at trial. For example, if your stop or arrest were unlawful, we may be able to suppress your BAC evidence. We may also be able to argue that something having to do with the testing process was amiss and call the validity of the BAC reading into question as a result. Connect with our Bloomington DUI lawyer team to learn more.