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DUI

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Bloomington, Illinois DUI Lawyer

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and/or Drugs is a serious offense and the procedures, laws, and penalties in Illinois frequently change. DUIs have far reaching consequences including the suspension or revocation of your driving privileges, increased insurance premiums, hefty fines, and jail or prison time. This is why it is of the upmost importance to hire an experienced and knowledgeable criminal attorney to handle your case.

  • Was there probable cause for the initial traffic stop?
  • Were proper police procedures followed during detention and arrest?
  • Did the officer administer field sobriety testing in a valid manner?
  • Did the field sobriety tests, blood tests and Breathalyzer tests produce conflicting results?
  • Were the Breathalyzer machine and records maintained according to administrative codes and statutes?

If necessary, Attorney Carter can hire witnesses who are qualified experts in areas such as: reviewing breath machine records and accuracy checks, reviewing blood/breath alcohol content results, and the extrapolation theory. Criminal Defense Attorneys also have the power to subpoena witnesses to testify on your behalf at trial. All of the evidence pertinent to your case will be reviewed with you, and Attorney Robert Carter will advise you based on his education, training and experience.

After investigating the facts of your case, The Law Office of Robert J. Carter will determine the best course of action for defending your case. Your options for defending your case will be thoroughly explained so you stay fully informed and feel comfortable in proceeding with your defense. These options could include negotiating with the State’s Attorney for minimum penalties, arguing for minimum penalties before a judge at an open sentencing hearing, or presenting your case for trial before a judge or jury. Whichever route the facts of your case necessitate, The Law Office of Robert J. Carter is fully prepared to handle your case with expertise.

A DUI arrest will also trigger the Secretary of State to issue a Statutory Summary Suspension. This is an administrative penalty which is separate and distinct from the DUI criminal charge. The minimum length of a Statutory Summary Suspension is six months, however the length can be increased depending on if the defendant is considered a “first offender” and if the defendant submitted to breath alcohol or blood alcohol testing. Attorney Carter will walk you through the process to assist you in understanding the procedure for determining the initial length of your suspension, as well as your eligibility for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) and the process of having a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed in your vehicle. Obtaining and MDDP will allow you to drive anywhere, anytime, for any reason during a specific portion of your Statutory Summary Suspension with a BAIID in your vehicle. If you are required to drive a company owned vehicle during specific work hours, Attorney Carter can assist you in applying for an employer’s exemption. He will also inform you on the proper uses of your permit in order to avoid any permit violations, additional penalties or further criminal violations. Sometimes circumstances of the arrest warrant filing a Petition to Rescind the Statutory Summary Suspension if proper procedure was not followed by the arresting officer. Time is of the essence in filing this Petition, so it is important to speak with an experienced DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest.

Call The Law Office of Robert J. Carter immediately for a free consultation if you have been arrested or are being investigated for any DUI offense in Bloomington-Normal or Central Illinois. Evening and weekend consultations are available if necessary. Securing an aggressive defense is necessary for protecting your reputation and record.