Every single year thousands of drivers in the state of Illinois are charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. With so many annual arrests, many people assume that a DUI conviction is a fairly minor charge. In all reality, a DUI conviction can impact your life in a significant and long-term way. If you have been charged with driving under the influence, it is time to speak with a qualified legal professional.

The Consequences of a DUI Conviction

In the state of Illinois, a DUI conviction constitutes a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, an offender can face fines up to $2,500 as well as a one-year license suspension. It should be noted that there are a number of factors that can lead to a DUI being classified as an aggravated DUI charge. If your DUI is considered aggravated, the charges will be elevated to a felony. An aggravated DUI conviction can result in fines as high as $25,000 and the potential of jail time, depending on the aggravating factor. For instance, if a driver causes great bodily harm to someone while driving under the influence, they can face up to 12 years in prison, and a minimum one-year prison sentence.

The divorce process is a stressful time for all parties, especially when children are involved. In the state of Illinois, the court will carefully examine various criteria, including the living situations of both parents, to determine how parental responsibilities will be allocated. The revised language of Illinois’ child custody law is written in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the allocation of parental responsibilities will determine who makes decisions about the child’s enrollment in schools, engagement in extracurricular activities, and of course parenting time. In order to ensure that you maintain a significant relationship with your child, the first step you should take is hiring a skilled legal professional. Your attorney will then guide you through the steps you can take to secure the parental responsibilities you deserve.

Prepare for Independent Parenting: As you prepare for your custody hearing, it is time for you to begin focusing on how you will adjust to life as an independent parent. If you left your shared home with your spouse, finding a place that is safe and suitable for children will play a major role in the court’s decision. If you were working long hours, you may need to make changes to your work schedule to meet the needs of your child. Proving to the court that you are ready to make the sacrifices that come with independent parenting, can go a long way in impacting their decision.

The divorce process is an emotionally trying time, but the months after a divorce can also come with challenges. For custodial parents, adjusting to a life of raising their child on their own can be a difficult transition. The financial challenges that custodial parents face are well documented, further showcasing the importance of child support. Unfortunately, many parents do not receive their child support payments in full and struggle to provide for their children. If your former spouse is failing to make their child support payments in full or on time, it is time to seek out the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney.

Securing Your Child Support Payments

According to the United States Census Bureau, there are approximately 13.7 million single custodial parents living throughout the United States, with over half of them having some form of child support agreement with a former spouse. Unfortunately, less than half of all custodial parents with a child support agreement, receive their payments in whole. Child support can be invaluable for parents that need financial support to provide for their family, and if you are not receiving the child support you deserve, it is time to act.

When most people think of the consequences of a traffic violation, they envision a ticket and a possible minimal rise in their insurance rates. While that may be the case with many minor traffic violations, there are a number of serious violations that can cost you much more. Whether you have been charged with reckless driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it is important to understand the potential legal consequences of a conviction.

Driving Under the Influence

In the state of Illinois, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can come with legal consequences that can lead to jail time, significant fines, and even potential jail time. A first-time DUI offender will face Class A Misdemeanor charges. If convicted, fines can be as high as $2,500 and can result in a one-year prison sentence. The driver will also give a one-year license revocation period and will only be allowed to drive with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID), throughout the duration of that time.

If you have been charged with a DUI in Illinois, one of the first things you should do is find a criminal defense lawyer that can help with your case. There are many in Lombard, and you certainly need to make sure you are hiring the right one. Asking certain questions can help you determine which lawyer is right for you, so it is important to know which ones to ask. While you will certainly have questions of your own that pertain to your case, below are others that you want to ask any attorney you are considering hiring and the answers to them that you want to hear.

How Much of Your Practice is Dedicated to DUI Law?

Many criminal defense lawyers will take on DUI cases. However, you want a lawyer that makes DUI one of their main focuses. These attorneys are more likely to remain up to date with any changes in DUI law, and they will have a better understanding of the best trial defenses to use, as well as plea bargaining options. Although you should not base your decision solely on which attorney has more experience with DUI cases and you should also consider the quality of the lawyer’s work, this is still an important question to ask.