Third Offense DUI in Illinois

Getting a third DUI in Illinois creates a lot of problems. Illinois has very strict DUI laws, ones that harshly penalize first-time offenders, much less a third-timer. The third DUI is treated as a felony, whereas the first two are misdemeanors.

Administrative Penalties

Administrative penalties are the "paper" part of the process. They do cripple your ability to drive, but they do not limit your physical freedom. These are the punishments that come with the offense:

• Fines up to $25,000.
• Revocation of driver's license privileges for a minimum of 10 years.
• Suspension of vehicle registration.

Criminal Penalties

A threat of jail time accompanies the third DUI conviction. It is a Class 2 felony. A judge only has the option to offer probation as an alternative. This means that there is no avoiding a form of incarceration or personal limitation.

• Possible jail time of 3 to 7 years.
• Alternative is 48 months of probation.
• If blood alcohol content is 0.16 percent or more, there is a mandatory 90-day incarceration and mandatory $2,500 fine.
• If a minor is present in the car at the time of the offense, there is a mandatory minimum fine of $25,000 and 25 days of community service in a program related to children.

The Look-Back Period for Prior DUIs

A DUI stays on your record for life. So if you had a first DUI 20 years ago, the subsequent DUI is the second.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor in Illinois

There is a distinct difference between the two classifications in Illinois. A felony has mandatory jail time of at least 1 year. Whereas a misdemeanor can carry jail time, it is not a requirement of the punishment. As stated above, a third DUI is automatically a felony.

Options for Pleas

There are only two options for pleas on a DUI: Guilty or not guilty. Pleading guilty makes for much harsher penalties for the offender. Using a not guilty plea usually results in a lighter sentence. Keep in mind that a DUI offender does not have to blow as it is a constitutional right to not self-incriminate. This combined with a not guilty plea tips the odds in the offender's favor.

Hiring a Lawyer

Don't mess around with a third DUI in Illinois. The only way to minimize the effects of this event on your life is to hire a lawyer skilled in DUI defense.