Hinsdale DUI Defense Lawyers

An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) can happen after a routine traffic stop or in another situation where a police officer suspects that a person was intoxicated while they were driving. The consequences of a DUI conviction can follow a person for years. They may include the loss of a driver's license, fines of several thousand dollars, and jail time in some cases. The outcome of a DUI case may depend on the specific facts surrounding a traffic stop and the evidence collected afterward, but with help from a skilled attorney, a person can address these issues and take steps to defend against a conviction.

The lawyers at Goostree Law Group have represented many people in cases involving charges of drunk or intoxicated driving. We understand what is at stake for people who are facing DUI charges, and we work to help them minimize the penalties that may affect their lives. We will review what happened during a traffic stop, address field sobriety tests or chemical tests, determine whether officers followed the correct procedures, and identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case. Our goal is to help our clients achieve the most favorable outcomes possible.

Reasons People May Be Arrested for DUI

A person can be charged with driving under the influence if they have used any substances that have affected their ability to operate a vehicle safely. The use of alcohol is the most common reason for a DUI arrest. An officer may believe that a person is drunk based on observations of erratic driving, or they may smell alcohol or notice other signs of intoxication during a traffic stop. A person may face DUI charges if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeded the legal limit of .08 percent while they were operating a vehicle.

DUI charges may also be based on the use of controlled substances and prescription medications. Illegal drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, or LSD may affect a person's ability to drive safely. Prescription drugs like opioids, muscle relaxers, or sleep medications may also cause impairment and lead to DUI charges.

Cannabis-related DUI charges have become more common since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois. A driver can be charged with DUI based on a specific level of THC detected in their blood, which is similar to the legal limit for alcohol. DUI charges may also be based on an officer's observations of signs that a driver may be under the influence of marijuana, including the smell of marijuana in a vehicle or symptoms like red eyes.

In some situations, a driver may be suspected of being under the influence of more than one substance, such as alcohol combined with a prescription medication or an over-the-counter drug. Even if a person was not over the legal limit for a single substance, the combination of multiple substances can lead to intoxication. These cases can be complex, since the combined effect of multiple substances can vary from person to person.

Field Sobriety Tests and Why Results Can Be Challenged

When an officer suspects that a driver is intoxicated during a traffic stop, they may take steps to administer a series of tests that are meant to gauge the person's level of impairment. These tests will look at balance, coordination, and the ability to follow instructions, and based on how a person performs, officers may decide that they have enough evidence to arrest a person for DUI.

In one of the most common field sobriety tests, a police officer will ask a driver to follow an object with their eyes. As the person's eyes move back and forth, the officer will look for movements like jerking or trembling that could indicate that they have been drinking alcohol or using other substances. This test can be affected by factors like medical conditions or eye strain, resulting in an arrest even when a person is not intoxicated.

Other field sobriety tests will look at a person's balance and coordination. They may include walking in a straight line or balancing with one foot raised off the ground for a certain number of seconds. If a person loses their balance or does not follow an officer's directions correctly, these issues may be seen as signs that they are intoxicated. However, other factors can affect these tests, such as uneven pavement, movements of vehicles that are passing by, poor lighting, footwear, and medical conditions that may affect a person's balance or mobility.

Because field sobriety tests rely on an officer's interpretations of a person's actions and behavior, and because they may not be conducted in ideal conditions, they may be challenged. Our lawyers can look at how tests were conducted, whether an officer followed standardized procedures, and whether there may be other explanations for a person's performance.