Kendall Enhanced DUI Lawyers – Helping You Navigate Complex DUI Charges
Getting arrested for DUI can be scary. Many people feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to turn. If you’ve been charged with enhanced DUI in Kendall, Illinois, you need an experienced DUI lawyer on your side. Keep reading to learn why you need a lawyer, what enhanced DUI means, what defenses may apply, and how a lawyer can help.
Why You Need an Experienced DUI Lawyer
A DUI conviction has serious consequences that can affect your life for years to come. These include:
- Jail time
- Fines and court costs
- Loss of driving privileges
- Difficulty finding or keeping a job
- Higher insurance rates
An experienced DUI lawyer understands the complex DUI laws and can build the strongest defense for your case. They know which defenses apply and how to effectively argue them in court. With so much on the line, you need someone in your corner who knows the system inside and out.
What is Enhanced DUI?
In Kendall, an enhanced DUI charge means:
- You had prior DUI convictions within the past 5 years
- There was a child under 16 years old in the vehicle
- You caused bodily harm or death while driving impaired
These circumstances make the DUI charge more serious with harsher potential penalties. For example, a first-time misdemeanor DUI may result in up to 1 year in jail. But an enhanced felony DUI can result in 3-7 years in prison.
Because the stakes are higher, having an experienced lawyer is critical. The prosecution will likely push hard for maximum penalties. So you need someone equally aggressive fighting for your rights.
Possible Defenses for Enhanced DUI
There are many potential defenses your lawyer may use to fight an enhanced DUI, including:
You Were Not Impaired
Just because you had alcohol or drugs in your system does not mean you were impaired. Many substances can remain in your blood or urine after the effects wear off. Your lawyer can argue you were not under the influence at the time.
No Probable Cause for Stop
Police need a valid reason (probable cause) to pull you over in the first place. If they didn’t have probable cause, your lawyer can argue that any evidence found after is “fruit of the poisonous tree” and should be excluded.
Invalid Traffic Stop
Similarly, even minor mistakes in the traffic stop procedures could invalidate the whole stop. Your lawyer will scrutinize the police reports for any issues like this.
Errors in Testing
Breathalyzers, blood tests, and officer field sobriety tests are not foolproof. Your lawyer will check if the devices were properly calibrated and the testing procedures correctly followed.
Violation of Rights
If the police violated your rights in any way such as prolonging detention without cause or denying your right to an attorney, your lawyer can have damaging evidence thrown out.
An experiences lawyer will dig deep into your case facts and conduct their own investigation. They may find additional defenses unique to your case.
How Can a Lawyer Defend Me?
An enhanced DUI lawyer has many options to build the best defense for your case, such as:
- Thoroughly investigating your arrest
- Hiring expert witnesses like toxicologists
- Reconstructing the accident scene
- Interviewing witnesses
- Filing motions to suppress evidence
- Negotiating with the prosecutor
- Taking the case to trial if necessary
An aggressive lawyer leaves no stone unturned in your defense. They force the prosecution to prove their case while poking holes in the evidence.
Why Choose a Kendall DUI Lawyer?
Hiring a local lawyer who is familiar with Kendall courts, judges, and prosecutors can give you an advantage. They have insider knowledge of the unwritten rules and tendencies that others won’t.
An experienced Kendall enhanced DUI lawyer potentially can:
- Negotiate reducing charges in exchange for a guilty plea
- Secure an alternative sentence instead of jail time
- Avoid license suspension by arguing hardship
- Get exceptions made to use an ignition interlock device instead of no driving at all
This is all dependent on the lawyer’s rapport with local court authorities.
What to Look for in a Kendall Enhanced DUI Lawyer
When researching lawyers, you want someone with specific experience fighting enhanced DUI cases. Ask these key questions:
- How long have you been handling enhanced DUI cases?
- How often do these cases go to trial versus settlements?
- What training do you have regarding DUI law, sobriety testing, etc?
- Will you be the lead attorney on my case or hand it off?
- What percentage of your caseload is DUI defense?
You also want someone you feel comfortable with. This is a stressful time and a supportive lawyer who listens and answers all questions makes a big difference.
Act Fast to Protect Your Rights
Don’t wait to connect with an enhanced DUI lawyer after getting arrested. The days after your arrest are critical. An attorney can provide advice on tests, interviews, paperwork and steps to take immediately to protect your rights.
Many lawyers offer free case evaluations. This lets you understand your options, the costs involved, and decide if you want to move forward with that firm.
Facing enhanced DUI charges is scary. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. An experienced Kendall lawyer can guide you through each step and build the strongest defense. Don’t leave your fate to chance. Connect with a lawyer now before it’s too late.
[1] https://casetext.com/case/state-v-kendall-45 [2] https://casetext.com/case/state-v-kendall-2008 [3] https://www.shawlocal.com/kendall-county-now/news/local/2023/01/26/felony-dui-cases-have-surged-in-kendall-county-over-past-two-years-states-attorneys-report-shows/ [4] https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ks-supreme-court/1315103.html [5] https://www.criminal-defense-dui.lawyer/kendall-criminal/