DUI Defense Attorneys

Facing drunk driving charges can be an unsettling & scary experience. For many, this may be their most serious interaction with the law. For those who have faced a DUI charge before, there is the reality that the penalties for a repeat DUI are much more harsh & severe.

Penalties for DUI can include:

  • A criminal record if convicted
  • Suspension or revocation of your license
  • Increases in your car insurance
  • Jail time or prison time
  • Big fines & court costs $$$
  • Mandatory treatment
  • Loss of your motor vehicle

Elliot R. Zinger, P.C. has more than 35 years of DUI experience and we are ready to fight hard for you!

1st Time DUI Offender

First-time drunk driving charges are a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and $2,500 in fines, though most people will serve no jail time unless they were involved in a drunk driving accident. If charges cannot be dismissed, Elliot R. Zinger, P.C. will push for court supervision, an alternative to conviction. Under court supervision, the drunk driving charge stays off your record and eventually is dismissed,  if you follow the judge's stipulations. A conviction can mean a criminal record, loss of license for 1 year and other penalties.

Following a DUI arrest, your license is suspended for 6 months (1 year if you refuse chemical testing or a Breathalyzer). Elliot R. Zinger, P.C. can request the issuance of a monitoring device driving permit (MDDP), which allows you to drive after your license has been suspended for 31 days, providing you install a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID).

Repeat DUI Offense & Felony DUI

If found guilty, supervision is not available on a second or felony drunk driving offense, and the courts are less inclined to leniency. A 2nd DUI conviction could result in jail time of 30 to 60 days, and revocation of your license for 1 to 5 years, with no MDDP option. A 3rd DUI could result in either being charged with a Class 2 or a Class 4 felony, punishable by 1 to 7 years in prison.

More Alcohol-Related Offenses

Our firm defends against all alcohol-related offenses, including:

  • DUI for non-Illinois residents
  • DUI for commercial driver's license
  • DUI involving accident or injury
  • Reckless homicide
  • Underage drinking
  • Alcohol to minors
  • Open container (liquor)