20+ Years of Experience
top-rated DUI
lawyers
f you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI in Chicago, the skilled attorneys at Kostopoulos Law Group can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights.
If you choose to work with our Chicago DUI attorneys we will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and minimize the penalties that may be imposed.
20+ Years of Experience
Experienced Former Prosecutor
Top Rated in Criminal Defense
Dupage County DUI Lawyers
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI in Chicago, the skilled attorneys at Kostopoulos Law Group can help. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal rights. If you choose to work with our Chicago DUI attorneys we will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and minimize the penalties that may be imposed.
Each year, roughly 35,000 drivers in Illinois are arrested for drunk driving related offenses. Another 300 people in the state will die at the hands of a drunk driver. The effects of a drunk driving arrest – both immediate and long-term – can be significant. In the short-term, fighting driving under the influence (“DUI”) charges isn’t cheap – Illinois estimates it will cost a first-time DUI offender approximately $16,500 between court costs, elevated insurance premiums, attorney’s fees, and other related costs. In the long-term, your ability to secure employment, loans, or housing may be compromised since DUI charges often remain on your record.
Illinois DUI Laws
Illinois DUI laws are not only applicable to driving under the influence of alcohol, but also to driving under the influence of illegal, abused, or prescription drugs. If a police officer believes that you are driving while impaired, you may be arrested for driving under the influence.
Per-Se Intoxication
In Illinois, it is illegal to drive if your blood-alcohol concentration (“BAC”) is equal to or greater than .08%. While each person metabolizes alcohol differently, it is possible to have a BAC of .08% after only two drinks. The likelihood of having a BAC above the legal limit increases with each additional drink.
Intoxication Indicated by Behavior and BAC
While not technically illegal, you may still be charged with a DUI if your BAC is between .05% and .08% if a law enforcement officer has reason to believe you are intoxicated. To thwart driving under the influence, police are empowered with the discretion to determine if a driver is not capable of safely operating a motor vehicle due to intoxication. If you are charged with a DUI at the discretion of a police officer – and not for per se intoxication about .08% – the penalties applied will be less severe.
It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle under with a BAC is greater than 0% if you are not of legal drinking age.
Aggravated DUI
In some cases, penalties for driving under the influence will be elevated due to especially dangerous or egregious circumstances. These include:
- Extremely elevated BAC, such as twice the legal limit;
- Driving under the influence at reckless speeds;
- Driving under the influence with children in the vehicle;
- Driving under the influence with prior DUI convictions; and
- Driving under the influence with a suspended or revoked license.
“Got my felony completely dismissed!”
My family’s lawyer told me that you are top trial lawyers. You won my felony hearing and got my felony completely dismissed! Thank you
– Michael L
“I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery”
I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery , had 3 warrants issued for my arrest and had these stupid charges weighing on me for 6 years, not wanting to face the music. I finally got picked up and with 6 small children at home, there was NO WAY I could afford to have jailtime. Joe listened and asked crucial questions and from the start he told me he would get it dismissed. I was skeptical to say the least. I paid him in 2 payments (he is super flexible) and then waited after the holidays for final court date. Completely dismissed. He will not give you false hope. He is honest, real and the ONLY person I want in my corner. HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! Don’t have someone else give you the runaround as most attorneys do. Save yourself the BS and GO WITH JOE !!!
– Christina S. | March 2019
“I could not be more pleasedand thankful.”
Please read this before you look for another lawyer!! First off, I want to say I am writing this review not because someone asked but because I am so beyond grateful and impressed to have had this group defending me in the court of law. I have never had such exceptional customer service and treated as if I were a high-end long time client. They made me feel like my case was just as important to them as the next. Their articulate steps were given to me in the very beginning to go over what was to be expected and what their goal was. Their rather diligent and speedy efforts to resolve my case couldn’t have been dealt with any better as my case could have gone south real quick. I trusted this group to take full control, let them do their work and they delivered with an outcome I was not expecting. I could not be more pleased and thankful as well as appreciated their flexibility with my payments (that was more than affordable for the hard work they did) as I was in a tight bind at the time. Thank you Joe, Rosemary and everyone else in between who have helped along the way! Your efforts were not unrecognized and I wish your group the best in the future to come! Lets just hope I don’t have to go through this again. If so I’m calling you back!!
– Mareena G. | January 2020
“He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record.”
I came into some trouble with the law and being my first ever having to hire a lawyer was difficult. When a good friend of mine told me about Joe at Kostopoulos Law Group I had a good feeling about him. Around the time I came into some trouble with the law I was in the process of enlisting for the United States Marines. This court case was stopping me from going any further with my plans of enlisting. I brought the case to Joe and let him know my situation. He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record. Joe cleared it all up for me and I had little to no worries. I HIGHLY recommended Joe from Kostopoulos Law Group. He will put your mind to ease and take care of your legal trouble. Joe is a very down to earth guy, respectful man, and super friendly. Thank you Joe for taking care of my case I really appreciate it.
– Jonathan G. | November 2019
“Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed.”
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to Joe and Gus. It is very hard to find a dedicated sincere attorney like Joe. Even if anyone calls their number in the middle of the night, Joe will be there to answer and hear your case for sure. Just like that, few months ago, I got into a very unfortunate circumstance. My wife was worried sick didn’t know what to do, called the Kostopoulos Law firm in the middle of the night, since then, Joe is been supporting me till the case got completely dismissed. Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed. Words are enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for their sincere dedication and hard work. They went above and beyond to make sure I understood what was happening and what needed to be done to get the case completely dismissed and expunged. To say my experience with the Kostopoulos Law group was pleasant would be the biggest understatement. I am forever thankful to them both. If you happen to find yourself if legal troubles I highly recommend the Kostopoulos Law Group.Thank you Gus, Joe and Rosemary!!
– Imran Q. | May 2019
Penalties for Driving Under the Influence
To discourage getting behind the wheel after a drink or two, Illinois imposes serious penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you have been charged with a DUI in Illinois, you may be subject to both administrative and criminal punishment.
Administrative Punishment
If you are arrested for per se intoxication – having a BAC of .08% of greater – or refuse to submit to a breathalyzer or other chemical testing your license will be suspended. You may be permitted to drive for 45 days following your arrest while you fight the charges pending against you. After those first 45 days, however, the suspension takes effect and you will not be permitted to drive. The length of the suspension depends on the reason for your arrest. If your BAC was .08% or greater, the suspension is for a term of 6 months. If you refused a breathalyzer or other testing, the suspension is for a term of 1 year. If you have been convicted of a DUI in the past and refuse a breathalyzer or other test your license will be suspended for a term of 3 years.
First time DUI offenders whose licenses have been suspended may apply for a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (“BAIID”) and restricted license if operating a vehicle is necessary.
If the circumstances surrounding your DUI arrest are extreme or dangerous, the state reserves the right to revoke your license for the duration of your trial and after it has been completed if you are convicted.
The fees involved in dealing with administrative penalties are not cheap and can rack up quickly.
Criminal Penalties
Administrative penalties may be a hassle, but criminal penalties can significantly change your life. Driving under the influence of red wine, liquor, etc, is a Class A Misdemeanor in the state of Illinois for first and second-time offenders, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or fines of up to $2,500.
If convicted of a DUI, you may also subject to penalties including:
- License revocation for 1 year (if over 21);
- License revocation for 2 years (if under 21);
- Court-mandated drug and alcohol treatment;
- Community service; and/or
- BAIID installation.
Driving under the influence may be a felony in the state of Illinois, which carry considerably more severe punishments for repeat and egregious offenders. Driving under the influence may be a Class 4 Felony, which is punishable by 1-3 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 if:
You cause great bodily harm to another;
You drive with children under the age of 16 in the car and cause bodily harm; or
You drive with a revoked or suspended license.
Driving under the influence may be a Class 2 Felony, punishable by 3-7 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000 if:
It is your 3rd or more DUI offense; or
You cause the death of another person.
Contact an Experienced Chicago DUI Attorney Immediately
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI it is incredibly important to seek the assistance of a skilled drunk driving attorney as soon as possible. Illinois takes driving under the influence very seriously and imposes harsh penalties that can be costly. The knowledgeable DUI attorneys at Kostopoulos Law Group, LLC have a history of success in navigating clients through the DUI process and negotiating down potentially substantial penalties.
When you contact us we will review the details of the case against you, ask questions to determine whether your rights were violated, and devise a legal strategy to help you fight the charges. Drunk driving charges can have a significant effect on the rest of your life – enlist the assistance of an experience Chicago DUI attorney to minimize the legal damage a DUI may cause.
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Top-client-rated criminal defense law firm in Dupage County. Don’t settle for less when your liberty, family, and life are on the line.
Call Dupage County and Cook County criminal defense attorney Gus Kostopoulos today to discuss your case.
