Felony DUI Defense in Central Illinois

Felony DUI Sentencing Exposure in Illinois

Except where Illinois law provides another classification, aggravated DUI is generally a Class 4 felony. Some circumstances result in a more serious felony classification, so charging papers and prior conviction records require close review. The applicable classification can affect incarceration, fines, probation, conditional discharge, and community-service consequences.

A fifth violation of the DUI statute is a Class 1 felony. Illinois law doesn’t permit probation or conditional discharge for that offense. If the person was transporting someone under age 16, the law also requires a $25,000 fine and 25 days of community service in a program benefiting children, in addition to other sanctions. These rules describe statutory exposure, not a prediction about a particular case.

Deadlines for a Statutory Summary Suspension

A statutory summary suspension is an administrative action against driving privileges that’s separate from the criminal charge. In Illinois, the suspension generally takes effect on the 46th day after notice is served. Addressing the criminal case alone doesn’t automatically resolve this license consequence.

A written Petition to Rescind asks the circuit court to hold a judicial hearing on the statutory summary suspension. It generally must be filed within 90 days after notice is served. Because the suspension and criminal case involve separate issues, we review the driving-privilege notice alongside the arrest and charging documents.

What to Expect from the Defense Process

We provide a free, confidential initial consultation to review what happened, identify immediate concerns, and explain the available legal options. Complete records help us assess both the criminal allegations and any action affecting your license.

Our work generally proceeds through these stages:

• Document review: We examine charging papers, bond or release documents, police paperwork, court dates, driving-privilege notices, and information about prior DUI convictions.
• Case investigation: We identify the prosecutor and file motions for discovery, the formal process for obtaining evidence held by the prosecution.
• Arraignment: We represent you when the charge is formally addressed and the court moves the case into further proceedings.
• Pre-trial litigation: We analyze discovery, prepare appropriate motions, and represent you at hearings involving contested legal and evidentiary issues.
• Negotiation and trial preparation: We pursue negotiations while preparing for the possibility that the case will proceed to trial.

Discuss the Charge & Your Immediate Deadlines

A free, confidential consultation gives us an opportunity to review your charge, court paperwork, driving-privilege notice, and immediate deadlines. Our contact form offers another way to begin the discussion.

We examine the felony classification, underlying evidence, and separate license action, then explain the proceedings and available options clearly.

Call (309) 565-8825 to discuss your felony DUI case with our criminal defense attorneys.