Buffalo Grove, Illinois Drug DUI Defense Attorney

Experienced DUI and Drug Use Defense Lawyer Serving Lake County, IL

Being arrested for driving under the influence of drugs is an anxiety-ridden experience. Due to the serious repercussions a conviction for this crime could bring, it is crucial that you speak to a skilled Buffalo Grove, IL DUI attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C. has been representing criminal defendants for years, with a goal of always protecting our clients' rights and achieving the best outcome possible.

What is Considered Driving Under the Influence of Drugs?

In addition to prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol, the state of Illinois prohibits driving while under the influence of drugs—or a combination of drugs and alcohol. These types of charges are being seen more and more throughout Illinois. A driver may be charged with either:

• Driving under the influence to the degree he or she is unable to safely operate the vehicle; or
• Driving with illegal drugs in the system.

The difference, under Illinois law, is that for the charge of driving with illegal drugs in the system, the prosecution must only prove the presence of illegal drugs in the driver's system. This may be proven through a confession from the driver, a blood or urine test, or the recovery of the drugs. It can be much more difficult for the state to prove a person is under the influence of drugs. Almost all police officers can testify to the signs of alcohol intoxication, but fewer officers have the necessary skills and experience to competently testify whether a person is under the influence of drugs. In this particular situation, whether the drugs are legally prescribed is not a defense when a person is charged with being unable to safely operate a vehicle.

Illinois Penalties for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs—like those for driving under the influence of alcohol—can be severe, and it is important you take the charges seriously.

• For a first offense, you could lose your license for a year, face a potential one-year jail term and be required to pay fines as high as $2,500.
• A second offense could result in the loss of your license for a minimum of five years, a potential one-year jail term, fines of up to $2,500, and a mandatory five-day jail sentence or 240 hours of community service.
• A third or subsequent offense for driving under the influence of drugs could result in the loss of your driver's license for 10 years, a potential prison sentence of up to seven years, and fines as high as $25,000.

Enhanced penalties apply if you had a passenger under the age of 16 in the vehicle with you, were stopped in a school zone, caused bodily harm to another, or you were aware your vehicle was not covered by liability insurance.

Potential Defenses to Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Your specific defense will depend on the circumstances surrounding your arrest for driving under the influence of drugs. However, the prosecution must be able to prove you were under the influence of drugs, and this is not as easy as you might think. Any testing done must fully comply with all Illinois rules and regulations—if it does not, your attorney may be able to have the evidence dismissed.

Contact Our Buffalo Grove Drug DUI Defense Lawyer Today

At The Law Offices of Matthew R. Gebhardt, P.C., we have experience from both sides—Attorney Gebhardt was a prosecutor prior to becoming a criminal defense attorney. This experience allows him to see your case from a more global view, ensuring you receive a comprehensive, aggressive defense. To set up your free consultation today, contact our Buffalo Grove drug DUI defense attorney or call 847-239-4703.