How to Fight a Drunk Driving Charge in Illinois

When you’re pulled over and charged with a DUI, you may feel that you have few choices to get your charges dropped. They performed sobriety tests on you, and they have evidence against you. Sadly, many people choose not to fight back against these charges when they’re in a situation like this. 

However, you do have possible defenses for your Illinois DUI case. If you’re not sure how to fight a drunk driving charge in Illinois, consider the following defenses and reach out to a lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys for help.

Fighting the Sobriety Tests

When you’re pulled over, one of the first things an officer might do, after witnessing any possible signs of drunkenness, is they’ll use a field sobriety test to determine whether you’re driving under the influence. These tests, while often accurate, aren’t perfect. 

For example, a field sobriety test might be affected if you recently regurgitated anything you had eaten or drank. The results may also be skewed if the police officer is new and hasn’t been properly trained to use the machine. As such, if you or your lawyer have suspicions that this tool was used improperly, your lawyer may investigate further. In some cases, that evidence may not be used against you.  

Failure to Observe

In some cases, your case might be affected by how much you were observed over the course of your arrest. Alcohol can pass through your system, and if the officer wasn’t paying attention, you may have gotten sick or otherwise expelled any alcohol out of your system. 

Otherwise, if you have a condition like diabetes, hypoglycemia, or hyperglycemia, let your lawyer know if your condition could have affected you during the stop. Diabetics going through a process called diabetic ketoacidosis often display many of the signs of intoxication and may even have sour or fruity breath because of the condition. 

This condition is serious, so if you were later treated for these conditions or others that could be mistaken for intoxication, let your Illinois attorney know. The officer may have mistaken your medical emergency for a DUI.  

Illegal Stops

Police officers have specific rules about pulling over drivers. Generally, they must have reasonable suspicion that you were breaking a traffic law, or they must have probable cause that you’re committing a crime. 

Unfortunately, many people are stopped for unrelated reasons or no reason at all and charged with DUIs. If the officer pulled you over and you don’t believe that they had a reason to do so, speak with your lawyer about your options. 

Keep in mind, though, that an officer may find a reason or excuse for pulling you over. However, if they were acting against your rights, you may be able to fight back to get your Illinois DUI charges dropped. 

Defend Your Illinois Driving Privileges 

After you’re pulled over for drunk driving, you’ll need to think quickly about how you’ll fight back and protect your future. A DUI is a serious charge, and it’ll require the best defense for your situation. 

Because every situation is unique, you may need the help of Chicago Trusted Attorneys to fight back. We understand that finding the best defense for your DUI case can be tough alone, so we’ll review your case and help you fight back. 

When you’re ready to get started, reach out for help from our Illinois lawyers. Begin by giving us a call at 312-519-3171 or by completing the online form below.