Criminal Defense & DUI · DuPage County, Illinois
Focused defense for DUI and criminal matters across DuPage County, with your record and your future treated as the priority.
A DUI arrest in Illinois starts two separate cases — a criminal case in the circuit court and a civil case with the Secretary of State over your driver’s license. Both have deadlines. Both have consequences. And both have potential defenses that most people don’t know exist.
We’ve defended DUI cases in DuPage County for over three decades. We know the prosecutors, we know the judges, and we know the technical and procedural challenges that win cases. From the moment you’re charged, the clock is running on critical decisions — what you say next matters.
First-time DUIs, aggravated DUIs, repeat offenses, and DUI-related charges.
Standard Class A misdemeanor — license suspension, court supervision options, fees and education. We protect first-offender outcomes.
Felony charges when DUI involves death/injury, prior DUIs, no license, school zone, or child passenger. Serious cases require serious defense.
Second, third, and subsequent DUIs carry mandatory minimums, longer suspensions, and felony exposure. We fight every winnable case.
Cannabis DUIs, prescription drug DUIs, and combined alcohol/drug cases — different evidentiary issues than alcohol-only DUIs.
Refusing the breath test triggers automatic statutory summary suspension — but creates different (and often better) trial defenses.
After a DUI, getting your license back requires hearings, documentation, and BAIID compliance. We handle the full reinstatement process.
Statutory summary suspension takes effect on day 46. Petition to rescind must be filed early.
First court date is typically 2-4 weeks after arrest. We appear with you, request discovery.
We obtain police video, breath test logs, calibration records, and challenge defective evidence.
Most cases resolve through negotiation — but only after we’ve exposed the weaknesses. We don’t settle good cases.
If the stop wasn’t lawful, everything that followed can be suppressed — including the breath test and arrest.
FSTs are subjective and often performed in poor conditions. We expose officer error and unreliable conditions.
Breathalyzer machines must meet strict calibration and maintenance standards. We subpoena records and challenge non-compliance.
Blood evidence must follow strict collection and handling procedures. Gaps in chain of custody can exclude results.
Separate from criminal case — winning here can preserve your license even if criminal case proceeds.
First DUIs with supervision avoid conviction. We negotiate for supervision when full dismissal isn’t realistic.
From our Villa Park office, we represent clients across DuPage County and the western suburbs of Chicago.
A DUI conviction is permanent on your Illinois driving record — it cannot be expunged or sealed. However, court supervision (which is NOT a conviction) does not appear on a public criminal background check after successful completion. This is why fighting for supervision instead of conviction matters.
Sometimes — if the evidence is weak, the stop was unlawful, or the breath/blood test was procedurally flawed. Even when dismissal isn’t realistic, court supervision (not a conviction) is achievable in many first-DUI cases. We evaluate honestly at consultation.
First-DUI is a Class A misdemeanor — up to 364 days in jail, up to $2,500 fine, license suspension, ignition interlock requirements, alcohol education, and substance abuse evaluation. Court supervision (no conviction) is available for most first offenders.
Refusing triggers an automatic 12-month license suspension (vs 6 months for failing). But refusing also denies the State a key piece of evidence. Whether to refuse depends on circumstances and is best discussed with counsel — but if you’ve already refused, don’t panic, it’s defensible.
Direct costs alone — fines, court costs, license fees, BAIID, alcohol education — typically run $5,000-15,000. Add insurance increases, lost income from suspension, and attorney fees. Total cost is meaningful. Investing in real defense is usually worth it.
Some DUI cases can be won outright at trial. Most are negotiated to better outcomes than the initial charge — court supervision instead of conviction, reduced license suspension, etc. We tell you honestly at consultation what realistic outcomes look like in your specific case.
Process depends on whether your suspension or revocation is from the DUI conviction or statutory summary suspension. Generally requires alcohol/drug evaluation, treatment compliance, hearing before Secretary of State, and possibly BAIID. We handle reinstatement cases.
Every day matters. Call now for a free consultation — we’ll explain your options, the timeline, and what defenses your case may have.