Best Defense―Don’t Drink and Drive
Driving while under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol is dangerous and illegal. Getting arrested for driving under the influence can be costly and embarrassing. Not only will you face possible jail time and high fines, but you will end up having to pay for more costly insurance, attend an alcohol/drug treatment program, and end up with a permanent criminal record. Avoid the potential cost and worry by never driving drunk. Unless you’ve been drinking or doing drugs, a DUI checkpoint is only a time consuming annoyance. There is no reason to worry about being stopped at a checkpoint if you are driving sober. Cooperate with the police officer and be polite. As soon as they see that there is no reason for suspicion, you will be on your way.
What You are Required to Tell the Officer
If you are pulled over at a DUI checkpoint, it is best to be polite to the officer and promptly provide your license, registration and insurance. The officer may ask you further questions about what you have been doing, if you have consumed alcohol and how many drinks you have consumed. You are under no obligation to provide the officer with this information.
What You Should Do:
- be polite
- provide your license
- provide your insurance
- provide your registration
- politely refuse to answer any other questions
What You are Under No Obligation to Do:
- answer the officer’s other questions
- tell where you have been
- tell how many drinks you have consumed
What the Officer Cannot Force Me to Say or Do
While it is essential that you treat the officer with respect and speak politely, you are under no obligation to furnish evidence against yourself. You should always provide the officer with your license, insurance and registration. After that, you have no other obligations. Not only do you have the right to politely refuse to answer any further questions, you also have the right to refuse to complete field sobriety tests and preliminary field breathalyzer tests.
What Happens After I Get Arrested for DUI at a Checkpoint?
No matter what, always treat the officer with respect. Any refusals to answer questions should be polite. You can say that you do not wish to answer any questions without your attorney present. Once you have been arrested for DUI, you will be asked to submit to chemical testing. This can be either a breathalyzer test or a blood test. Since Illinois is an Implied Consent state, you will have your license automatically revoked if you refuse this chemical testing. Implied Consent means that if you decide to drive in Illinois, you are already giving your consent to submit to chemical testing if arrested for DUI. Your act of driving shows your consent. After normal DUI arrests, if you refuse to submit to chemical testing, it may take time to get a warrant requiring you to submit. Many times during DUI Checkpoints, the officers will have judges available to provide warrants quickly. With a warrant, officers can require you to submit to chemical testing.
What Should I Do If I Get Arrested for DUI at a Checkpoint?
Get an experienced DUI defense attorney immediately. Ask the officer to allow you to call an attorney and have an attorney present for any questions. A knowledgeable attorney will counsel you about the best way to defend against any DUI charges. Hiring an attorney is important because DUI defense attorneys have vast experience handling similar cases. They understand how circumstances affect each case and can determine how your case should be handled.
Costs of a DUI
A DUI conviction can cost as much as $10,000 or more. Once all the fees are added together, the cost can be staggering. Costs of DUI include:
- attorney’s fees
- fines of up to $2,500 (part of the sentence)
- court costs
- statutory fees
- costs of impounded car
- cost of drug/alcohol program and counseling fees
- breath alcohol interlock device (BAID) installation and rental
- license reinstatement fee
- increased insurance premiums for 3 years
DUI Defense Attorney
Michael P. Chomiak is a Chicago defense attorney that has immense experience handling DUI cases. He knows and understands the complex Illinois DUI law and has the experience to help with any DUI charges. If you find yourself charged with a DUI, contact Michael P. Chomiak, Chicago DUI Attorney, and allow him to enact your defense.
