Illinois DUI Laws: DUI Arrest

Illinois DUI Laws: DUI Arrest

Being pulled over by a police officer can be unnerving, even if you haven’t had an ounce to drink.  Add a drink or two into the mix, and this experience can be downright intimidating.  It is often helpful to know the procedure for a DUI arrest, so that you can be prepared for what might occur.

To begin, an officer may stop your vehicle at a roadside sobriety check point, or for reasonable suspicion, probable cause, or unusual operation.  These are legal terms which your Chicago DUI lawyer can explain in more detail, but, essentially, they mean that the officer must have some sort of reason to pull you over.  If this happens, find a safe place to pull over, and try to remain calm.

Once stopped, the police officer will generally come to the driver’s side window, and ask for your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration.  It is helpful to keep your insurance and registration in the glove box of your car, for easy access.  Remember to be as polite and respectful as possible.  Being rude will not help your chances!

As mentioned before, you may be asked to submit to a field sobriety test under Illinois DUI laws if the police officer thinks you may have been drinking.  If you have been drinking, you should decline this test, and tell the officer that you would like to remain silent, and would like to speak with your Chicago DUI lawyer.

If the officer has probable cause that you have been drinking, you may be placed under arrest for DUI, and taken to the police station.  If you are taken to the police station, you should request to speak to your Chicago DUI lawyer before any additional tests are done, and you should not answer any questions posed by the officers.

In order to leave the police station, you may be required to post bond.  Your Chicago DUI lawyer can help you with this.  After leaving the station, it may be helpful for you to write down everything you remember about the evening, including how much you had to drink, how the officer behaved, what you said to the officer, whether you were read your Miranda rights (“You have the right to remain silent….etc.”)  Even if something doesn’t seem important, write it down.  Your Chicago DUI lawyer can help you to determine whether any of the events are relevant to your case.

Finally, your vehicle may be towed, seized, or impounded.  If this happens, you may want to contact your Chicago DUI lawyer for help.