Felony DUI

Drunk driving is prosecuted vigorously in Illinois. More than just multiple driving under the influence (DUI) violations will cause enhancement of your drunk driving charge to a felony. Your license status, vehicle and insurance status, accident injuries, young passengers, and speed zones may cause felony enhancement of your DUI. If you have been arrested for felony DUI, you need a skilled and aggressive Chicago felony DUI attorney to fight the charges against you.

Warren J. Breslin is a former Chicago police officer and a former prosecutor. He has extensive experience defending clients in felony DUI cases. He has been honored by fellow members of the bar and the judiciary to receive the highest AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating.* He will make sure you understand his defense strategy in your case and discuss your options before proceeding. He will vigorously defend your rights and interests.

In Illinois, a DUI charge, which if charged as a misdemeanor alone carries substantial penalties, can be enhanced to a much more serious felony charge for many reasons, including:

• Driving without insurance
• Driving without a license
• Driving while your license is suspended or revoked
• Multiple DUI offenses, including third DUI, or second if first resulted in death, or first if DUI caused death or serious injury
• Causing serious injury to another
• Driving a school bus with passengers aging 18 or younger
• Causing any injury to another while driving any speed in a 20 MPH school zone
• Causing any injury to passenger under age 16
• Second DUI while transporting passenger under age 16

Felony DUI enhancement laws are particularly difficult for some immigrants. You cannot obtain an Illinois driver's license without a Social Security number. Illegal immigrants who are arrested for drunk driving get little sympathy from the court system and almost always have their DUI charges enhanced to felonies. In addition to serious criminal penalties, felony DUI convictions can result in deportation. Warren J. Breslin has experience helping immigrants with their DUI charges. Immigration concerns are always addressed in every criminal case that Warren J. Breslin is defending.

It is also especially surprising for defendants to learn that they are facing felony prosecution for a first-time DUI only because they forgetfully let their liability insurance lapse. It is strict, but it is the law. If faced with that situation, it is strongly advised that you obtain insurance coverage as soon as possible to be used in your defense or mitigation. Warren J. Breslin has diverted many felony prosecutions by bringing his clients into compliance quickly.

If you are convicted of a felony DUI, or any other felony in Illinois, you will no longer be allowed to possess a firearm. You also risk substantial jail time. Furthermore, a felony conviction can have an adverse impact on your future job and educational prospects.

Attorney Breslin will investigate your case by gathering all evidence, including video from the traffic stop and all witness statements. He has extensive knowledge of Illinois field sobriety testing. He will work very hard to have your charges dismissed or reduced so you can move on with your life without a felony criminal record.

If you are facing felony charges for DUI in Chicago or the surrounding areas, including Palatine, contact an experienced criminal defense firm. Warren J. Breslin offers free phone consultations at no obligation to you. Give him a call at 312-321-9070.